NRF and FREF Renew BAAP Partnership to Empower Black Academics Until 2028

NRF and FREF Extend Partnership to Advance Black Academics and Researchers in South Africa.

The National Research Foundation (NRF) and the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation (FREF) have announced the renewal of their partnership, extending the impactful Black Academics Advancement Programme (BAAP) until 2028. The initiative, established in 2018, aims to promote diversity and transformation within South Africa's academic sector by supporting Black South African academics and academics with disabilities in achieving their PhDs and receiving postdoctoral training.

The renewed agreement, signed under a continued commitment to academic transformation, will offer funding for up to three years, with a maximum of R300,000 annually for PhD candidates and R400,000 for postdoctoral researchers. This funding is crucial in alleviating financial barriers and fostering research excellence.

Since its inception, BAAP has made a significant impact, supporting 347 academics across 26 universities. The programme directly contributes to the National Development Plan 2030, which seeks to have 75% of university academic staff hold PhD qualifications by 2030.

The Council on Higher Education highlighted critical challenges in the academic landscape, including a decline in full-time university academic staff and increasing supervision burdens. Between 2000 and 2005, the student-to-supervisor ratio increased from 3.8 to 5.2 at the Master's level and from 1.3 to 2.2 at the PhD level, straining academic resources.

NRF Acting Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Gugu Moche, praised the renewed partnership as a pivotal step towards nurturing the next generation of Black academic leaders. “This continued support will help us address academic staffing challenges and reduce supervisory burdens at South African universities,” Dr. Moche stated.

FREF Head of Social Investing, Konehali Gugushe, emphasized the broader societal impact of the programme. “Our partnership with the NRF is central to our mission to promote equity in higher education and foster inclusive growth through research and innovation,” Gugushe said.

Gugushe reaffirmed FREF's commitment to impactful public benefit initiatives aligned with B-BBEE principles, emphasizing the role of strategic partnerships in advancing quality education and creating sustainable educational outcomes.

The BAAP, through this renewed commitment, will continue driving transformation, academic excellence, and innovation, ensuring that more Black South African academics achieve their full potential.

The partnership between the NRF and FREF is set to continue until 2028, marking a decade of impactful collaboration in transforming the research and academic landscape of South Africa.