1. NRF Evaluation & Rating
Prof. Robert Morrell
Office of the Vice-Chancellor (previously Research Office)
5 October & 22 October 2018
Notes for Robert:
NRF Rating statistics
UCT has 543 rated researchers - early 2018 (14% of the national total), followed Pretoria 2nd and Stellenbosch 3rd. – Currently 541 rated researchers (still 14%) – 2 deceased (Dee Bradshaw and Bongani Mayosi).
UCT has the most A-rated researchers (43) which is 34% of the national total in early 2018 – Currently 42 (33% of national total).
The actual stats for UCT Rated researchers on the NRF site differs to ours as we claim some affiliated staff with other primary institutions such as SAAO etc.  We however still have the highest numbers of A-rated researchers and total numbers too.
The NRF rating call opened in September The UCT internal dates are November 2018 and 14 December and NRF closing date for final submission is on 31 January Please recommend the November internal submission date, as applications received by then will be reviewed by our full internal panel.

2. What is an NRF rating?
Assessment of your recent research track record.
Based on the quality of your research outputs.
International peer-review system.

3. Why be rated? Access to NRF funding for 6 years.
Benchmarking. Assist UCT to improve its research profile.
Maintain publishing record.

4. NRF rating categories Y, P Researchers who show promise
to become established.
C, B, A
Established researchers.

5. NRF rating categories: Definitions
Researchers who are unequivocally recognised by their peers as leading international scholars in their field for the high quality and impact of their recent research outputs. B
Researchers who enjoy considerable international recognition … for the high quality and impact of their recent research outputs.

6. NRF rating categories: Definitions
Established researchers with a sustained recent record of productivity in the field.

7. NRF rating categories: Definitions
P Young researchers (normally younger than 35 years of age; doctorate or equivalent less than five years) who…are considered likely to become future leaders in their field.

8. NRF rating categories: DefinitionsY
Young researchers (40 years or younger; doctorate or equivalent less than five years) who are recognised as having the potential to establish themselves as researchers within a five-year period after evaluation.
L category is no longer an option

9. How is your application processed?
Submission of scholarly achievements
Specialist Committee
Not accepted
Selection of 6 peers/reviewers
Reviewers’ reports
Specialist Committee
Assessor
Joint meeting

10. How is your application processed? [2]
Joint meeting
Consensus
No Consensus
A, P recommendation
B, C, Y
Inform Applicant
Executive Evaluation Committee
Appeal
Appeals Committee

11. Tasks of specialist committees
Selecting reviewers.
Rating the quality of reports by reviewers.
Deciding the rating value of each reviewer report
Recommending a rating for each applicant based solely on reports by reviewers.
Identifying feedback.
Advising NRF.

12. Peers/reviewers
Applicants are given the opportunity to nominate their own reviewers.
They are also given the opportunity to indicate who should not be approached.
A mix of national and international reviewers is appropriate in most cases.
Ideological differences within disciplines in the social sciences and humanities could confound the selection of suitable peers. However, reports by peers in such instances should be identifiable and treated appropriately by wise panel members.

13. What do reviewers comment on?
Quality of research outputs over the last eight years ( ).
Impact of research outputs on the field.
Standing as a researcher, nationally and internationally.
Coherence of researcher’s work.

14. Information required by NRF
Personal details
Biographical sketch (1 page)
Career profile
Description of completed research (2 pages)
Qualifications obtained
Self-assessment (1 page)
Research expertise
Ongoing and planned future research (1 page)
Research outputs of last eight years ( )
Six nominated reviewers
Five best recent research outputs ( )
Assessment panel(s)
Ten best research outputs before 2011

15. Emphasis on peer-review and accessibility of outputs to reviewers
Research outputs of the last 8 years 1 Jan to 31 Dec. 2018
Publications in peer-reviewed journals
Technical reports
Books/chapters in books
Patents, artefacts and products
Peer-reviewed published conference proceedings
Keynote/Plenary addresses
Other significant conference outputs
Other recognised research outputs
Best outputs from students supervised in last 8 years
Emphasis on peer-review and accessibility of outputs to reviewers

16. Definition of research
For purposes of the NRF, research is original investigation undertaken to gain knowledge and/or enhance understanding.
Research specifically includes:
the creation and development of the intellectual infrastructure of subjects and disciplines (e.g. through dictionaries, scholarly editions, catalogues and contributions to major research databases);
the invention or generation of ideas, images, performances and artefacts where these manifestly embody new or substantially developed insights;
building on existing knowledge to produce new or substantially improved materials, devices, products, policies or processes.
It specifically excludes:
routine testing and analysis of materials, components, instruments and processes, as distinct from the development of new analytical techniques.
the development of teaching materials and teaching practices that do not embody substantial original enquiry.

17. Five best recent research outputs (2011-2018)
Prepare e-copies of five best outputs
Upload these to the online system

18. Applying online: https://nrfsubmission.nrf.ac.za/nrfmkii/
Help documents are on our website
NRF system closing date on 31 January 2019.

19. UCT Internal review Closing dates: 12-16 November& 14 December 2018
Applications reviewed by panel of specialists.
Feedback provided during Dec/Jan, with option to meet with panel member.
Final submission date: 31 January 2019.
All applications must be reviewed internally, prior to submission to the NRF.
Research Office submits applications to the NRF.

20. Contacts Roshan.Sonday@uct.ac.za or x2426
or x2689
Research Office: 2 Rhodes Ave, Mowbray
2019 Guidelines can be downloaded from