Department Of Science And Technology National Awards, The Department of Science and Technology (DST) calls for nominations for the 2018 South African Women in Science Awards (WISA). The awards recognise and reward excellence by women scientists and researchers, and profile them as role models for younger women. The awards will be made to women who are South African citizens or permanent residents.
The theme for the 2018 WISA is leveraging science, technology and innovation to enhance inclusive growth and development. This theme is adapted from the 2018 priority theme for the 6th BRICS science technology and innovation (STI) Ministerial meeting, which will be hosted by South Africa in July 2018.
Awards in the distinguished woman and distinguished young woman researcher categories will be made for research that responds to the theme in the fields of Natural (Life and Physical) and Engineering Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Astronomy. However, the DST Fellowships and TATA Scholarships are not restricted to the theme.
Awards will also be made to a category on Research and Innovation (R&I) leading to a demonstrable contribution in enhancing inclusive growth and development.
The 2018 WISA will be presented on 16 August 2018 as part of the Department’s celebration of Women’s Month. The awards will be made in the following categories:
AWARD CATEGORIES
1. Awards for Distinguished Woman Researchers
· Natural (Life and Physical) and Engineering Sciences
· Humanities and Social Sciences
· Astronomy
2. Awards for Distinguished Young Woman Researchers
· Natural (Life and Physical) and Engineering Sciences
· Humanities and Social Sciences
· Astronomy
3. Awards for Research and Innovation
· Distinguished Woman Researcher
· Distinguished Young Woman Researcher
4. DST Fellowships
· Five current master’s students: 2 in natural and engineering sciences, 1 in human and social sciences (HSS), 1 in indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) and 1 in Astronomy.
· Five current doctoral students: 2 in natural and engineering sciences, 1 in HSS, 1 in IKS and 1 in Astronomy.
5. TATA Africa Scholarships for Women in Science, Engineering and Technology
· Three master’s students in disciplines where the participation of women is low.
· Three doctoral students in disciplines where the participation of women is low.
NOTE:
1. Winners may be requested to participate in public awareness initiatives led by the DST.
2. All applicants /nominees are required to submit a short profile.
3 Shortlisted finalists will be required to submit three high-resolution photographs to be used for publicity.
NOMINATIONS/ APPLICATIONS
Nominations and applications on the attached form should reach the Department of Science and Technology by Friday, 18 May 2018. No late submissions will be accepted.
Nominations and applications should clearly indicate the category and should be accompanied by the documentation specified for each category.
To ensure that you have met all the requirements, please complete and submit the attached checklist.
Nominations and applications clearly indicating the category, should be submitted electronically (using the attached form) to [email protected]
NB: Please note that further correspondence will be only entered into with shortlisted finalists.
For more information contact Mr Thembinkosi Magasela at 012 843 6338 or [email protected]
NOMINATION / APPLICATION PROCEDURE
1. AWARDS FOR DISTINGUISHED WOMAN RESEARCHERS
These awards will be made to women scientists or researchers for their outstanding scientific contribution to advancing science and building the knowledge base in the theme of the awards. Awards will be made in each of the following fields:
1.1 Natural (Life and Physical) and Engineering Sciences;
1.2 Humanities and Social Sciences; and
1.3 Astronomy
Nomination criteria
Nominations in the Natural (Life and Physical) and Engineering Sciences, and Humanities and Social Sciences fields are requested for established woman scientists or researchers with at least five years of postdoctoral experience, and who are actively involved in research.
Nominations in the Astronomy field are requested for established woman astronomers with at least eight years of experience, whose research has made a significant impact, and whose discoveries and technological innovations have led to demonstrable contribution in advancing the field of astronomy.
NB: Overall winners in the past ten years are not eligible to be nominated in the categories in which they won.
Who may make a nomination?
Any person who knows the nominee and her work well can make a nomination. The nominator should provide the motivation as required in the nomination form.
Adjudication criteria
Nominees will be judged on their research publication record, their international stature (as evidenced by their presentation of keynote addresses or papers at international conferences), their experience in supervising postgraduate students and researchers, national and/or international acclaim of their research, the contribution of their research to inclusive growth and development, and exploitability of their research outputs (i.e. the possibility of using the research results to develop or improve products, processes and services).
Value of each award
Winner: R80 000; first runner-up: R45 000; and second runner-up: R35 000.
Use of the award
No restrictions will be imposed on the use of the award by the recipient.
Documents required
(i) A completed and signed nomination form
(ii) A completed CV template
(iii) Proof of scientific/ research publications
First page of each of your 10 best articles, and the title pages of your books or book chapters.
(iv) Short profile (see sample)
(v) Proof of innovation or applied knowledge outputs (if applicable)
List of intellectual property (IP) outputs with relevant registration numbers, or list of outputs with inclusive growth and development impact.
(vi) Letters of reference
Letters of reference from three people discussing the candidate’s professional competence and other personal or professional qualities or interests that make the candidate qualify for the award.
(vii) Certified copy of ID
2. AWARDS FOR DISTINGUISHED YOUNG WOMAN RESEARCHERS
These awards will be made to emerging woman scientists or researchers for their outstanding contribution to advancing science and building the knowledge base in the theme. Awards will be made in each of the following fields:
2.1 Natural (Life and Physical) and Engineering Sciences;
2.2 Humanities and Social Sciences; and
2.3 Astronomy
Nomination criteria
Nominations are requested for emerging woman scientists or researchers under the age of 40 or turning 41 during the year of the awards who have doctoral degrees, and whose research projects have contributed to advancing science and building the knowledge base.
NB: Overall winners in the past ten years are not eligible to be nominated in the categories in which they won.
Who may make a nomination?
Any person who knows the nominee and her work well can make a nomination. The nominator should provide the motivation as required in the nomination form.
Adjudication criteria
In the context of being early career scientists, nominees will be judged on their research publication record, their national and/or international stature (as evidenced by their presentation of keynote addresses or papers at international conferences), their experience in supporting younger students, national and/or international acclaim for their research, the potential contribution of their research to inclusive growth and development, and/or the potential exploitability of their research outputs (i.e. the possibility of using research results to develop or improve products, processes and services).
Value of each award
Winner: R65 000; first runner-up: R35 000; and second runner-up: R25 000.
Use of the award
No restrictions will be imposed on the use of the award by the recipient.
Documents required
(i) A completed and signed nomination form
(ii) A completed CV template
(iii) Proof of scientific/ research publications
First page of each of your 10 best articles, and the title pages of your books or book chapters.
(iv) Short profile (see sample)
(v) Proof of innovation or applied knowledge outputs (if applicable)
List of intellectual property (IP) outputs with relevant registration numbers,
(vi) Letters of reference
Letters of reference from three people discussing the candidate’s professional competence and other personal or professional qualities or interests that make the candidate qualify for the award.
(vii) Certified copy of ID
3. AWARDS FOR RESEARCH AND INNOVATION
These awards will be made to two women whose innovation (emanating from research) has led to enhancing inclusive growth and development. Awards will be made to:
3.1. Distinguished researcher; and
3.2. Distinguished young researcher
Nomination criteria
(i) Distinguished Researcher
Nominations are requested from established woman scientists or researchers with at least five years of postdoctoral experience, whose innovation (emanating from research) has ledto demonstrable contribution in enhancing inclusive growth and development. The researchers must be actively involved in their fields.
NB: Overall winners in the past ten years are not eligible to be nominated in the categories in which they won.
(ii) Distinguished Young Researcher
Nominations are requested from emerging woman scientists or researchers, under the age of 40 or turning 41 during the year of the awards, who have doctoral degrees;whose innovation (emanating from research) has led to demonstrable contribution in enhancing inclusive growth and development. The researchers must be actively involved in their fields.
NB: Overall winners in the past ten years are not eligible to be nominated in the categories in which they won.
Who may make a nomination?
Any person who knows the nominee and her work well can make a nomination. The nominator should provide the motivation as required in the nomination form.
Adjudication criteria
In the context of being a Distinguished and a Distinguished young researcher, nominees will be judged on their research publication record, innovation outputs (use of the research results to develop or improve products, processes and services), and the inclusive growth and development impact of innovations.
Value of each award
Distinguished Woman: R80 000
Distinguished Young Woman: R65 000
Use of the award
No restrictions will be imposed on the use of the award by the recipient.
Documents required
(i) A completed and signed nomination form
(ii) A completed CV template
(iii) Proof of scientific/ research publications
First page of each of your 10 best articles, and the title pages of your books or book chapters.
(iv) Short profile (see sample)
(v) Proof of innovation or applied knowledge outputs (mandatory)
List of intellectual property (IP) outputs with relevant registration numbers, or list of outputs with inclusive growth and development impact of innovations.
(vi) Letters of reference
Letters of reference from three people discussing the candidate’s professional competence and other personal or professional qualities or interests that make the candidate qualify for the award.
(vii) Certified copy of ID
4. DST FELLOWSHIPS FOR POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS
These awards will be made to ten women who are currently involved in full-time study or research leading to master’s or doctoral degrees. The fellowships recognise outstanding ability and potential in research, enhance the women’s research experience and output, and encourage more young women to complete research degrees.
Postgraduate fellowships will be awarded to:
4.1. Five master’s students: 2 in natural and engineering sciences; 1 in humanities and social sciences (HSS), 1 in indigenous knowledge systems (IKS), and 1 in astronomy
4.2. Five doctoral students: 2 in natural and engineering sciences; 1 in HSS, 1 in IKS, and 1 in astronomy.
Application criteria
The fellowships are open to women who are involved in full-time study towards master’s or doctoral degrees, and are registered at South African universities. Applicants should be women who are:
· South African citizens or permanent residents;
· under the age of 35; and
· high performers in their current and previous degrees.
NB: Previous fellowship/scholarship awardees cannot apply/ be nominated for the same degree of study.
Adjudication criteria
Applicants will be judged on the quality and performance in their studies; past and present achievements; quality and feasibility of proposed study/research plan and time schedule; relevance of their research (potential to provide solutions to immediate problems and scarcity of researchers in the field pursued); and their career plans as per the application criteria given.
Value of the awards
R35 000 for master’s (X5)
R45 000 for doctoral students (X5)
Use of the award
The fellowship is meant to be additional to a postgraduate scholarship awarded by the National Research Foundation or other agencies. It may be used for attending or presenting a paper in a local or international conference, publishing a research paper, registering a patent, or obtaining personal equipment to conduct research such as a laptop.
Documents required
(i) An application form
(ii) Proof of research publications
Copies of not more than five relevant research publications (potential to provide solutions to immediate problems and scarcity of researchers in the field pursued), and title pages of your books or book chapters
(iii) Short profile (see sample)
(iv) Letter of reference
A letter of reference must be written by a person other than the nominator. The letter must reflect the relationship of the referee with the candidate, the contact details of the referee, and also the following about the candidate:
a. evidence of excellence in current studies,
b. technical accomplishments and relative standing of the candidate among her peers (publications, conferences, mentoring etc.),
c. relevance of research being pursued (potential to provide solutions to immediate problems and scarcity of researchers in the field pursued),
d. the role in encouraging and supporting young women,
e. personal or professional qualities or interests that make the candidate specially qualified to receive a fellowship, and
f. any other indicators of outstanding ability.
(v) A letter of support
The applicant should submit a letter of support from a relevant referee (preferably a supervisor) who knows the applicant and her work well. This letter should outline the candidate’s suitability to receive the award, and the quality and performance in their studies.
(vi) Letter of intent and candidate statement
The letter must indicate:
a. The candidate’s desire to be considered for the fellowship,
b. how the candidate qualifies for the fellowship, and
c. a demonstrable need for the specialised knowledge and skills that she plans to acquire.
(vii) Full academic record
(viii) Certified copies of qualifications
(ix) Certified copy of ID
5. TATA AFRICA SCHOLARSHIPS IN SCIENCE, ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
Six awards will be made to women who are currently involved in full-time postgraduate study or research leading to master’s or doctoral degrees in areas where participation by women is traditionally low. These awards will recognise outstanding ability and potential in research.
Application criteria
Scholarships will be awarded to young women who have registered for degrees in scarce skills areas such as Agriculture, Architecture, Astronomy, Astrophysics, Computer/Information Sciences, Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, or Physics.
NB: Previous fellowship/scholarship awardees cannot apply/ be nominated for the same degree of study.
Adjudication criteria
· Quality and feasibility of the proposed plan of study or research, and proposed time schedule.
· A demonstrable need for the specialised knowledge and skills that she plans to acquire.
· Academic and professional qualifications, including research publication record.
· Candidate’s commitment to the advancement of women and girls in South Africa/Africa as demonstrated by her previous work and her proposed study or research.
Value of the awards
R60 000 for master’s (X3)
R60 000 for doctoral (X3)
Use of the award
The award can be used for normal academic registration and tuition fees, and also to expand the experience of the successful candidate. It can also be used to purchase additional equipment required for the completion of the master’s or doctoral degree, or to enable the recipients to spend three to six months at an international research facility to improve the outcome of their studies.
Documents required
(i) An application form
(ii) Proof of research publications
Copies of not more than five relevant research publications (potential to provide solutions to immediate problems and scarcity of researchers in the field pursued), and title pages of your books or book chapters
(iii) Short profile (see sample)
(iv) Letter of reference
A letter of reference must be written by a person other than the nominator. The letter must reflect the relationship of the referee with the candidate, the contact details of the referee, and also the following about the candidate:
a. evidence of excellence in current studies,
b. technical accomplishments and relative standing of the candidate among her peers (publications, conferences, mentoring etc.),
c. relevance of research being pursued (potential to provide solutions to immediate problems and scarcity of researchers in the field pursued),
d. the role in encouraging and supporting young women,
e. personal or professional qualities or interests that make the candidate specially qualified to receive a scholarship, and
f. any other indicators of outstanding ability.
(v) A letter of support
The applicant should submit a letter of support from a relevant referee (preferably a supervisor) who knows the applicant and her work well. This letter should outline the candidate’s suitability to receive the award, and the quality and performance in their studies.
(vi) Letter of intent and candidate statement
The letter must indicate:
a. the candidate’s desire to be considered for the scholarship.
b. how the candidate qualifies for the scholarship,
c. a demonstrable need for the specialised knowledge and skills that she plans to acquire,
d. how the research advances science and builds the knowledge base,
e. involvement with mentorship/coaching programmes, and
f. the exploitability of research outputs (i.e. the possibility of using research results to develop or improve products, processes and services).
(vii) Full academic record
(viii) Certified copies of qualifications
(ix) Certified copy of ID
To ensure that you have met all the compliance requirements, please complete and submit the attached forms and checklist