Call for Nominations: 2024 South African Women in Science Awards (SAWiSA)

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

2024 SOUTH AFRICAN WOMEN IN SCIENCE AWARDS

THEME: TRANSITION TOWARDS AN INNOVATION ECONOMY: THE ROLE OF WOMEN LEADERS IN STEM

UCT internal deadline: Monday, 20 May 2024, 09h00

DSI deadline: Friday, 07 June 2024

Enquiries: Mbasa Mguye (mbasa.mguye@uct.ac.za)

The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) calls for nominations for the 2024 South African Women in Science Awards (SAWiSA). These 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 South African citizens or permanent residents.

THEME

The theme for the 2023 SAWiSA is “Transition towards an Innovation Economy: The Role of Women Leaders in STEM”. The innovation economy is an inclusive concept encompassing various sectors, namely, creative and cultural endeavours, energy and environment , water and ocean management, caregiving and assistance, the social sector and public services, and the often-overlooked contributions of unrecognised work, among others. Thus, research in both the Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS), and the Natural (Life and Physical) and Engineering Sciences (NES) can contribute to an innovation economy. An innovative economy is a key driver of economic growth, entrepreneurship, competitiveness and prosperity, and its emphasis is on innovation, creativity, and the development of new ideas, products, and services.

NOMINATION CRITERIA

Any person who knows the nominee and her work well can make a nomination. The nominator should provide the motivation letter as required in the nomination form.
Nominees must be South African citizens or permanent residents.
Overall winners in the past 10 years are not eligible to be nominated in the categories in which they have previously won.

AWARD CATEGORIES

1. DISTINGUISHED WOMAN RESEARCHERS

Nominees should be established women scientists or researchers with at least five-years of postdoctoral experience and who are actively involved in research. Their research projects must have made outstanding scientific contribution to advancing science and building the knowledge base in their areas not necessarily aligned with the theme.

Awards will be made in the following fields as well as in any field aligned with the theme:

Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS)
Natural Sciences (Life and Physical) and Engineering Sciences
Theme: Transition towards an Innovation Economy

Adjudication criteria

Nominees will be judged on their track record of research outputs, research impact, professional and research experience, human capital development, contribution to women and girl’s empowerment to promote gender equality, science engagements and collaborations.

Value of each award

Winner: R95 000 | First runner-up: R70 000 | Second runner-up: R45 000

Required documents:

i. A completed and signed nomination form (see attached) containing,

· A completed CV template

· Proof of innovation or applied knowledge outputs (if applicable)(point 10): List of intellectual property outputs with relevant registration numbers, or list of outputs with inclusive growth and development impact.

· Short profile

ii. Proof of scientific/research publications: The first page of each of the nominee's five to 10 best articles, and the title pages of her books or book chapters.

iii. Three Reference Letters and the Nominator’s letter discussing the nominee's professional competence, qualities, or interests; and

iv. A certified copy of ID.

DISTINGUISHED YOUNG WOMAN RESEARCHERS

Nominees should be women under the age of 40 or turning 41 in 2024 who have PhDs and whose research projects have contributed to advancing science and building the knowledge base.

Awards will be made in the following fields as well as in any field aligned with the theme:

Humanities and Social Sciences
Natural (Life and Physical) and Engineering Sciences
Transition towards an Innovation Economy

Adjudication criteria

Value of each award

Winner: R85 000 | First runner-up: R60 000 | Second runner-up: R35 000

Required documents:

i. A completed and signed nomination form (see attached) containing,

· A completed CV template.

· Proof of innovation or applied knowledge outputs (if applicable): List of intellectual property outputs with relevant registration numbers.

· Short profile.

ii. Proof of scientific/research publications: The first page of each of the nominee's five to 10 best articles, and the title pages of her books or book chapters.

iii. Three Reference Letters and the Nominator’s letter discussing the nominee's professional competence, qualities or interests; and

iv. A certified copy of ID.

3. DSI FELLOWSHIPS

Nominees should be women under the age of 35 who are South African citizens or permanent residents; registered for full-time study or research for masters or PhD degrees at UCT; and who are high performers in the current or previous degrees.

The fellowships recognise the awardees' outstanding ability and potential in research, enhance their research experience and output, and encourage more young women to complete research degrees.

Fellowships will be awarded to:

Six master's students: two in Natural Sciences, one in Engineering Sciences, one in HSS, one in Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) and one in Astronomy.
Six PhD students: two in Natural Sciences, one in Engineering Sciences, one in HSS, one in IKS and one in Astronomy

Adjudication criteria

Applicants will be judged on their academic performance of their studies; track record of achievements; quality and feasibility of their proposed study/research plan and time schedule; relevance of their research (aligned with the decadal plan) and their career plans as per the application criteria given.

Value of the awards

R75 000 for a master's degree (x6) | R95 000 for PhD degree (x6)

Required documents:

An application form (attached) containing,

A Short profile.
Letter of intent and applicant statement which must indicate:

The applicant's desire to be considered for the fellowship,
how the applicant qualifies for the fellowship, and
a demonstrable need for the specialised knowledge and skills that she plans to acquire.

Proof of research publications or outputs: copies of one to five relevant research publications (showing potential to provide solutions to immediate problems and scarcity of researchers in the field pursued), and title pages of the applicant's books or book chapters.
Reference letter. The letter must reflect the relationship of the referee with the applicant, the contact details of the referee, and highlight the following about the applicant:

evidence of excellence in current studies,
technical accomplishments and relative standing of the candidate among her peers (publications, conferences, mentoring etc.),
relevance of research being pursued (potential to provide solutions to immediate problems and scarcity of researchers in the field pursued),
her role in encouraging and supporting young women,
personal or professional qualities or interests that make the applicant specially qualified to receive a fellowship, and
any other indicators of outstanding ability.

A letter of support from a supervisor who knows the applicant's work. This letter should outline the applicant's suitability to receive the award, and the quality of and performance in their studies.
Full academic record.
Certified copies of qualifications; and
A certified copy of ID.

SUBMISSION DEADLINES

UCT internal review

Applicants who want to submit their applications for internal review must submit complete applications by Monday, 20 May 2024 to amanda.raman@uct.ac.za.

Direct submission to DSI

Applicants who wish to submit directly to the DSI can submit by Friday, 7 June 2024 to SAWiSA@dst.gov.za and Cc’ Amanda.Raman@uct.ac.za and clearly indicate the category. Late applications will be rejected.

Required Attachments

The nomination form, CV template and submission checklist for researchers.

The application form and submission checklist for DSI Fellowships.