The definitions of the rating categories are given below. Descriptions of subcategories in the A, B, C, and Y categories have also been indicated.

*This definition is restricted to those researchers whose area of research prevents (or precludes) them from meeting the requirements of either definition 1 or definition 2.

Important things to note:
For applications submitted in a particular year (i.e. 2023)
** Up to 36 years of age is the norm
***40 years (or younger) as at (closing date)

#Year in which PhD was obtained, according to which applicants can apply for a Y/P rating: 2018

Explanatory note: For 2023 applications, the call will close February 2024, but will only take into account outputs published in the period 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2023 (eight full years). The date a researcher ‘obtains’ (in the broadest sense – anything from notification that it will be awarded to walking across the stage) his/her degree could be any time of the year (i.e. 1 January-31 December).

For 2023 applications, it is calculated as follows:

Year 0: 2018 (any date between 1 Jan. and 31 Dec. 2018)
Year 1: 2019
Year 2: 2020
Year 3: 2021
Year 4: 2022
Year 5: 2023 (any date between 1 Jan. and 31 Dec. 2023 (end of the period under review)

If the applicant obtained his/her degree on 31 January 2015, he/she will enjoy the benefit of almost 11 months, but if he/she graduated in December 2015, they will literally have just more than five years.

There are four types of applications:

New
Researchers who have never applied for rating in the past or researchers who previously applied for rating, but the application was withdrawn before it was processed.

Re-evaluation by invitation
Researchers who are currently rated A, B, C, P or Y will be invited by the NRF to submit documents for re-evaluation in the fifth year of their cycle. Their applications will be evaluated in the sixth (and final) year of this cycle while their current rating remains valid. If successful, their new rating will become valid on 1 January of the next year.

Re-evaluation – Researchers who have chosen not to respond to the above invitation and whose ratings have therefore lapsed (no longer valid), or researchers whose application for rating was unsuccessful three or more years ago. Applicants whose rating application was unsuccessful must wait three years before applying for re-evaluation. In these cases, the onus to apply for re-evaluation rests with the applicant.

Special re-evaluation
An applicant who is currently rated may apply for a special re-evaluation earlier than the five-year cycle (i.e. the year when he/she will be invited) if, since a previous evaluation, an applicant has shown such progress that, in the opinion of the relevant authority at the employing institution, the existing rating is quite inconsistent with the applicant’s current standing. A newly prepared application must be submitted to the NRF, together with a motivation from the appropriate authority stating the reasons why a special re-evaluation is requested. Applications in this category will be screened for validity of the claims before being processed.
 

Please consult the attached documents:

1. Selection of Peer Reviewers,
2. Assessment of Reviewers’ Reports, and
3. Considerable International Recognition (CIR).

The process below outlines the UFS internal processes for NRF rating:

The NRF rating system is a key driver in the NRF’s aim to build a globally competitive science system in South Africa. It is a valuable tool for benchmarking the quality of our researchers against the best in the world. NRF ratings are allocated based on a researcher’s recent research outputs and impact as perceived by international peer reviewers.

The rating system encourages researchers to publish high-quality outputs in high-impact journals/outlets. Rated researchers as supervisors will impart cutting-edge skills to the next generation of researchers. The rating of individuals is based primarily on the quality and impact of their research outputs over the past eight years, taking into consideration the evaluation made by local and international peers. It identifies researchers who count among the leaders in their fields of expertise and gives recognition to those who constantly produce high-quality research outputs. Several South African universities use the outcomes of the NRF evaluation and rating process to position themselves as research-intensive institutions, while others provide incentives for their staff members to acquire and maintain a rating and give special recognition to top-rated researchers.

The ratings that are awarded fall within the following categories:

A – Leading international researchers

B – Internationally acclaimed researchers

C – Established researchers

P – Prestigious awards

Y – Promising young researchers

Following the successful NRF-rating application submitted to the NRF for rating or rerating for a period of six years, the UFS incentivise rated researchers annually. The following funding values are applicable, effective from 2024 onwards:

The allocated research funds are to be used strictly for research-related activities and will fall under the UFS audit requirements of beneficiary institutions. The total amount will be awarded against ‘running expenses’ but can be used to cover costs related to the following items:

• Materials and supplies – Excluding basic office stationery, photocopying, printing, journal publication/subscription, and book costs, unless these items form part of the research tools or if the grant-holder is based at a museum.

• Travel and subsistence – Funding requests for students to attend international conferences will not be considered.

• Research / Technical / Ad hoc Assistants – The NRF does not support salaries or buy-out time for lecturing staff. Administrative assistance does not qualify as technical assistance.

• Equipment – Researchers may use the funds for small equipment. This excludes basic office equipment such as computers, laptops, tablets, etc. All research equipment purchased through this grant will be registered in the institution’s asset register according to the policies of the institution and will remain the property of the institution.

• Data Management – Researchers may use part, or all, of the funds for data management and/or support towards technical expert assistance.

• Sabbaticals – Sabbaticals to other research organisations and institutions of higher learning.

• Supplementation for Postgraduate Scholarship – Part or all of the funds may be used to supplement NRF student bursaries.

Running funds for this grant in subsequent years will be transferred to a D-entity allocated to the rated researcher.

It has been decided that the activities mentioned above and any deviation from these activities may be approved or rejected by the Senior Director (DRD), the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Internationalisation, the dean or HoD, as a consequence of their discretion and any other anomalies or clarity required.