Nominations are invited for the science diplomacy awards taking place at Science Forum South Africa 2025.
The SFSA 2025 Science Diplomacy Awards (awards) recognise individuals and organisations who are making an outstanding contribution to furthering science diplomacy.
SFSA 2025 aims to honour these individuals whose work lies at the intersection of science, international cooperation and partnerships, policy advice, evidence-based decision-making, and diplomacy with a footprint in regional and global science community.
Nominations could be individuals including Scientists; Policy Makers; Business; Civil Society; NGOs; media, etc.) who have served both country and global interests alike.
The SFSA 2025 awards are committed to equal opportunity for all persons, without regard to race, colour, religion, sexual orientation, gender, nationality, creed, age, disability, institutional affiliations, etc. Nominations are expected from a wide range of disciplines, diverse organisations, geographic locations, and social demographics.
All award nominees/winners are expected to meet the commonly held standards of professional ethics and scientific integrity.
ELIGIBILITY
- Nominees are open to both South African citizens as well as non-South African citizens.
- The nominated individual should have contributed in the STI or advisory policy community on international and global science cooperation, partnerships in building stronger links between and among societies.
- Self-nominations will not be accepted.
- One nomination per category, per person.
- All motivations in the categories tables below should be limited to no more than 600 words.
AWARD CATEGORIES
- Science advice that has transcended national and international spheres
The successful candidate would be a global thought leader who has been able to provide scientific advice nationally and internationally that has had a profound impact on society. These could include, but are not limited to, contributions to global issues through science such as climate change, social sciences, health, etc. - International STI partnerships
The candidate under this category is someone who has been instrumental in promoting international STI partnerships, with a focus on South Africa. Their individual engagements across institutions and governments are seen as critical for the success of such a partnership. - International STI partnership contribution to advancing African regional cooperation, integration and development
The nomination under this category has been a champion for Africa STI promotion and implementation, striving towards the Vision of Agenda 2063. - Recognition of individual effort over a career to put science at service of society and fostering international friendships
The individual under this category has, through the timeline of their career, been able to contribute to science and built international networks benefiting South Africa. - International STI partnership which has achieved excellence in global science
This category will focus on specific international STI partnerships (multilateral or bilateral with South Africa) that has contributed to excellence in science globally. - Young Science Diplomat Award
This category will focus on a young Science Diplomat who has consistently built strong relations and facilitated international STI partnerships for the benefit of the South African National System of Innovation. Nominee must be 40 years and below as of 31 July 2024.
The awards will be presented during the Science Forum SA (24-28 November 2025). The exact date and time will be confirmed once the SFSA 2025 programme is finalised.
DEADLINE
The submission deadline is 31 July 2025.