1. 2017 DA Regional Workshops - Feedback
9 October 2017
8th Annual NRF Research Administrators Workshop
Lord Charles Hotel, Sommerset West
Anthipi Pouris, GMSA
Advancing Knowledge. Transforming Lives. Inspiring a Nation

2. The regional meetings Region Venue & Date Institutions from
Institutions invited
Institutions attended*
Gauteng
22 March 2017
Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga 30 16
Eastern Cape
3 April 2017 9 3
Western Cape
21 April 2017 19 7
Kwazulu-Natal
26 April 2017 10 5
Free State
16 May 2017
Free State, Northern Cape 2
* Mainly universities
Advancing Knowledge. Transforming Lives. Inspiring a Nation

3. Issues addressed THRIP funding for 2017/18 and 2018/19
CSUR and CPRR – uptake of fundable applications not funded in 2017
Incentive Funding – possible changes
ORCID ID Implementation
Communication between NRF and Institutions
The Role of the DA*
Rationalisation of applications and reports*
Expectations from the DAs
Compliance
ID Numbers*
Master Funding Administration Agreement (MFAAs)*
Document standardisation
System Enhancements
General issues
Advancing Knowledge. Transforming Lives. Inspiring a Nation

4. THRIP funding for 2017/18 and 2018/19
Process already started
CSUR and CPRR – uptake of fundable applications not funded in 2017
Awaiting results after current applications
Incentive Funding – possible changes
Communiqué already out
Advancing Knowledge. Transforming Lives. Inspiring a Nation

5. ORCID Implementation
The NRF requires that all researchers applying for funding and rating at the NRF have an ORCID identifier.
This will help researchers to uniquely identify themselves as the author of their work across all systems integrated with the ORCID registry
To be implemented with
New applications for 2018 funding
Next round of Progress Reports
Advancing Knowledge. Transforming Lives. Inspiring a Nation

6. Advancing Knowledge. Transforming Lives. Inspiring a Nation

7. Communication Main points identified
Communication with GMSA vs Programme
GMSA Availability
Implementation of a Client Service Centre -2018
Implementation of online support functionality/on line chat real time -2018
Announcement of the Carry Forward Process
To be discussed with the Progress Reports

8. Compliance Rationale for applicant and DA declarations
Account, report and comply with legislation and responsible processing of applications
Comply with auditing requirements
Advancing Knowledge. Transforming Lives. Inspiring a Nation

9. Compliance (2) Addition to the CoGs/MFAAs
Reporting of outputs: provide a certified copy of the ‘acknowledgement’ page from corresponding output – on hold
Master Funding Administration Agreements
Still a lot outstanding (about 50%)
Compliance will be discussed by our legal representative tomorrow
Advancing Knowledge. Transforming Lives. Inspiring a Nation

10. Compliance (3) ID verification
Copies of IDs/Passports to be uploaded on submission of proposals for funding OR on Progress reports – 2018 implementation
Once off for SA Citizens
On change of status changes from Permanent Resident to SA Citizen
On change of passport (on expiration date)
Advancing Knowledge. Transforming Lives. Inspiring a Nation

11. System enhancements NRF Online Submission System
Automatic Report submission reminders
New way of Progress Report Submission -2018
DAs to see dates of submission of Reports
Continuing Students – transcripts to be transferable from one year to another
to be dealt with as with uploading IDs -2018
DAs need to see the NRF and DA deadlines of Calls online
Already available online
Tool for DAs to see possible duplicate applications
Rationalisation of Calls
Increase the number of characters under Methodology and Literature Review section
Dealt with in the new applications
Versioning of Manuals posted for each Calls
To be implemented from 2018
Advancing Knowledge. Transforming Lives. Inspiring a Nation

12. Grants Management System – Phoenix – system drawbacks
Tool for DAs to see possible duplicate nominations for students
Notification for adjustments to DAs and then to NRF LOs
To see adjustment summaries for the grant year and filter per year and status
All categories possible for adjustments to be visible on the system e.g Rule – Equipment, Running, Sabbatical and Student bursaries
It was suggested that the system should allow students to change their topics online themselves, as it currently creates a lot of additional administration for the DAs
Transfer of student to other institution – paperwork too cumbersome
Advancing Knowledge. Transforming Lives. Inspiring a Nation

13. New Grant Management System
The scoping of the new system starts immediately after RAW 2017
NRF requirements
DA requirements
These will be discussed on regional meetings (how can the system be useful to the DAs?)
Advancing Knowledge. Transforming Lives. Inspiring a Nation

14. Advancing Knowledge. Transforming Lives. Inspiring a Nation