South African Research Chair in Social Policy

The South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) was established in 2006 by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and is managed by the National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa. It is a strategic intervention of the South African government designed to attract and retain excellence in research and innovation at South African universities. In particular, the programme is aimed at increasing national scientific research capability through the development of human capacity and stimulating the generation of new knowledge. It is also intended to support the realisation of South Africa’s transformation into a knowledge-based economy in which the generation of knowledge translates into socio-economic benefits.

SARChI is thus designed to significantly expand the scientific research and innovation base of South Africa in a way that supports implementation of the national Research and Development policies.

SARChI is a national knowledge and human resource development intervention aimed at strengthening and improving the research and innovation capacity of public universities for producing high quality postgraduate students, research, and innovation outputs. The main objectives of SARChI are to:

  • Expand the scientific research and innovation capacity of South Africa;
  • Improve South Africa’s international research and innovation competitiveness while responding to social and economic challenges of the country;
  • Attract and retain excellent researchers and scientists;
  • Create research career pathways for highly skilled, high quality young and mid-career researchers; and
  • Strengthen and improve research and innovation capacity of universities for producing high quality postgraduate students, research, and innovation outputs.

Last modified: 2023/08/07