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DocumentClosedcommittee question

How will his department assist the entities that report to him to have structured programmes which would be in place to (a) develop early career researchers, and (b) prepare them for leadership succession in critical and technical and strat

Parliament of South AfricaRef: https://pmg.org.za/committee-question/36164/

Official source

Source domain: pmg.org.za

Collected on 17 June 2026

Always confirm details on the official source before acting.

What this means

The document is a parliamentary question directed to the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, detailing how the department supports structured programmes to develop early career researchers and prepare them for leadership roles. It highlights various initiatives by agencies like NRF, CSIR, SANSA, HSRC, and ASSAf, focusing on human capacity development, mentorship, structured career ladders, and international exposure. The document also outlines the criteria for leadership succession across entities.

What this document offers

Read out of this document by Govermate's AI, in its own words. Each one quotes the line it came from — confirm on the official source before acting.

engagement participation supportOngoing

participation in national and international engagements (as part of CSIR Accelerated Researcher Development programme)

Support measures within the CSIR Accelerated Researcher Development programme include participation in national and international engagements for participants.

Who it is for
participants in the CSIR Accelerated Researcher Development programme
How to act on it
Participate in national and international engagements as part of the CSIR Accelerated Researcher Development programme (the document does not specify the application steps).
Show the line this came from
This is done through a suite of support measures that include staff bursaries, mentorship and coaching, and participation in national and international engagements.
bursary supportOngoing

staff bursaries (as part of CSIR Accelerated Researcher Development programme)

Support measures within the CSIR Accelerated Researcher Development programme include staff bursaries for participants.

Who it is for
participants in the CSIR Accelerated Researcher Development programme
How to act on it
Receive staff bursaries as part of the CSIR Accelerated Researcher Development programme (the document does not specify the application steps).
Show the line this came from
This is done through a suite of support measures that include staff bursaries, mentorship and coaching, and participation in national and international engagements.
postdoctoral fellowship and mentorship programmeOngoing

structured postdoctoral fellowship and mentorship programme (SANSA)

A SANSA structured postdoctoral fellowship and mentorship programme, alongside a similar career ladder system.

Who it is for
early career researchers in SANSA
How to act on it
Participate in SANSA’s structured postdoctoral fellowship and mentorship programme (the document does not specify the application steps).
Show the line this came from
Notably, the SANSA implements a similar career ladder system, alongside a structured postdoctoral fellowship and mentorship programme.
mobility and exchange grantOngoing

Mobility and Exchange grants

Mobility and Exchange grants listed as NRF instruments to support early career researchers, accessible to postgraduate students and researchers across government agencies and entities.

Who it is for
postgraduate students and researchers across government agencies and entities
How to act on it
Apply for NRF Mobility and Exchange grants (the document does not specify the application steps).
Show the line this came from
Key instruments include Thuthuka, the Black Academic Advancement Programme (BAAP), postdoctoral fellowships, and Mobility and Exchange grants.
traineeship and mentorship initiativeOngoing

Researcher Trainees and Mentorship initiative (HSRC)

A HSRC structured Researcher Trainees and Mentorship initiative across its Research Divisions.

Who it is for
researcher trainees within HSRC Research Divisions
How to act on it
Join/participate in HSRC’s Researcher Trainees and Mentorship initiative (the document does not specify the application steps).
Show the line this came from
The HSRC runs a structured Researcher Trainees and Mentorship initiative across its Research Divisions.
fellowship programmeOngoing

postdoctoral fellowships

Postdoctoral fellowships listed as NRF instruments to support early career researchers, accessible to postgraduate students and researchers across government agencies and entities.

Who it is for
postgraduate students and researchers across government agencies and entities
How to act on it
Apply for NRF postdoctoral fellowships (the document does not specify the application steps).
Show the line this came from
Key instruments include Thuthuka, the Black Academic Advancement Programme (BAAP), postdoctoral fellowships, and Mobility and Exchange grants.
leadership succession development programmeOngoing

Accelerated Principal Researcher Development Programme (CSIR)

A CSIR succession-planning programme that identifies researchers through a structured succession planning process and prepares them for critical technical and strategic roles within the organisation, guided by tailored individual development plans.

Who it is for
researchers identified through CSIR’s structured succession planning process
How to act on it
Be identified and participate in the CSIR Accelerated Principal Researcher Development Programme (the document does not specify the application steps).
Show the line this came from
At the CSIR, the Accelerated Principal Researcher Development Programme identifies researchers through a structured succession planning process, preparing them for critical technical and strategic roles within the organisation.
career ladder programmeOngoing

Accelerated Researcher Development programme

A CSIR career ladder programme that develops, tracks and promotes early career researchers through to principal researchers, using support measures including staff bursaries, mentorship and coaching, and participation in national and international engagements.

Who it is for
early career researchers through to principal researchers within CSIR
How to act on it
Participate in CSIR’s Accelerated Researcher Development programme (the document does not specify the application steps).
Show the line this came from
The CSIR implements a career ladder system through its Accelerated Researcher Development programme to develop, track and promote early career researchers through to principal researchers.
technical working group integrationOngoing

integration into technical working groups and institutional platforms (SANSA)

At SANSA, early career researchers are integrated into technical working groups and institutional platforms to align with organisational priorities and strategic objectives, building technical expertise and understanding of the institution’s strategic and operational environment.

Who it is for
early career researchers at SANSA
How to act on it
Be integrated into SANSA technical working groups and institutional platforms (the document does not specify the application steps).
Show the line this came from
At SANSA, early career researchers are integrated into technical working groups and institutional platforms to align with organisational priorities and strategic objectives.
young academy programmeOngoing

South African Young Academy of Sciences (SAYAS)

An ASSAf-supported early career development opportunity through the South African Young Academy of Sciences (SAYAS), leveraging international linkages and partnerships with other young academies worldwide.

Who it is for
early career researchers supported through ASSAf via SAYAS
How to act on it
Participate in SAYAS (the document does not specify the application steps).
Show the line this came from
Similarly, the Academy of Sciences of South Africa (ASSAf) supports early career development through the South African Young Academy of Sciences (SAYAS), which leverages strong international linkages and partnerships with other young academies worldwide.
mentorship and coaching supportOngoing

mentorship and coaching (as part of CSIR Accelerated Researcher Development programme)

Support measures within the CSIR Accelerated Researcher Development programme include mentorship and coaching for participants.

Who it is for
participants in the CSIR Accelerated Researcher Development programme
How to act on it
Receive mentorship and coaching as part of the CSIR Accelerated Researcher Development programme (the document does not specify the application steps).
Show the line this came from
This is done through a suite of support measures that include staff bursaries, mentorship and coaching, and participation in national and international engagements.
individual development planningOngoing

tailored individual development plans (as part of CSIR Accelerated Principal Researcher Development Programme)

The CSIR Accelerated Principal Researcher Development Programme guides participants by tailored individual development plans.

Who it is for
participants in the CSIR Accelerated Principal Researcher Development Programme
How to act on it
Receive tailored individual development plans as part of the CSIR Accelerated Principal Researcher Development Programme (the document does not specify the application steps).
Show the line this came from
The programme equips participants with the technical competencies and leadership capabilities needed for career advancement, guided by tailored individual development plans.
grant instrumentOngoing

Thuthuka

A grant suite instrument under the NRF that supports early career researchers and is accessible to postgraduate students and researchers across government agencies and entities.

Who it is for
postgraduate students and researchers across government agencies and entities
How to act on it
Apply for NRF grants that include Thuthuka (the document does not specify the application steps).
Show the line this came from
Key instruments include Thuthuka, the Black Academic Advancement Programme (BAAP), postdoctoral fellowships, and Mobility and Exchange grants.
grant instrumentOngoing

Black Academic Advancement Programme (BAAP)

A grant suite instrument under the NRF that supports early career researchers and is accessible to postgraduate students and researchers across government agencies and entities.

Who it is for
postgraduate students and researchers across government agencies and entities
How to act on it
Apply for NRF grants that include the Black Academic Advancement Programme (BAAP) (the document does not specify the application steps).
Show the line this came from
Key instruments include Thuthuka, the Black Academic Advancement Programme (BAAP), postdoctoral fellowships, and Mobility and Exchange grants.

Facts

Reference

https://pmg.org.za/committee-question/36164/

Key Takeaways

  • question to the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation
  • date: 13 March 2026
  • agency: National Research Foundation (NRF)
  • programmes: Thuthuka, BAAP, postdoctoral fellowships
  • entities: CSIR, SANSA, HSRC, ASSAf
  • leadership development criteria: technical expertise, leadership profile, publications, mentorship, networking skills

Dates

Opening Date

13 March 2026

Closing Date

13 March 2026