1. The Awards Categories

Category Cash Prize
Presidential Awards  
  •  Robert  Gabriel Mugabe Award to an individual or team for outstanding research
 $15,000.00
  •  Award to a Female Researcher for outstanding research
 $7,500.00
  •  Award to a Company / Institute for outstanding application of Research & Development.
 $7,500.00
Sectorial Awards
  • Social Sciences and Humanities
 $3,000.00
  • Health Sciences
 $3,000.00
  • Natural and Environmental Sciences
 $3,000.00
  • National Security
 $3,000.00
Academic Awards
  •  University Student Research Award
 $2,000.00
  • College Student  Research Award
 $2,000.00

  1. How to make a Nomination

    Obtain the Call for Nominations Document from the Research Council of Zimbabwe (RCZ) offices or from a university, college or public research centre near you or download the 11th ZIRS awards nomination Form and the ZIRS Awards Additional Information Form

    The nominations submitted will be subjected to a thorough verification and assessment process by a panel of experts and ranked to decide the winning entries for each category. Self nomination is allowed although not encouraged.

  1. Renomination

    Nominations entered previously and did not win but have improved from the last entry may be renominated.

  1. Selection Criteria

The nomination must:

  • Be supported by evidence;
  • Be in any field of the National Research Priority Areas;
  • Be based on distinguished achievement;
  • Be based on work done in Zimbabwe; and
  • Contribute to the attainment of ZIM-ASSET.

  1. Deadline for submission of nominations:

    1500 hours on 16 December 2016.

  1. Thematic Areas Explained

The Call for Nominations is in any of the following National Research Priority theme areas:

  1. Social Sciences and Humanities

    Understanding who we are as a nation, what we want, need and where we want to be in the future. Directing research to deliberately shape our future.

  2. Sustainable Environmental and Resource Management in Zimbabwe

    Improving the way we utilize our land, water, mineral and energy resources through a better understanding of human and environmental systems and the use of new production technologies, as well as aerospace and other sensing technologies.

  3.  Promoting and Maintaining Good Health

    Promoting good health and well-being for all Zimbabweans.

  4.  National Security of Zimbabwe

    Safeguarding Zimbabwe from terrorism, crime, invasive diseases and pests, strengthening our understanding of Zimbabwe’s place in the region and the world, guarding the proper exploitation of our natural resources and securing our infrastructure.

  1. 11th ZIRS Context

    The Research Council of Zimbabwe will be hosting the 11th Zimbabwe International Research Symposium (ZIRS) on the 16th and 17th of February 2017 under the theme: ‘Research for Unlocking Entrepreneurship: Bridging the Gap.’

    Nominations for awards are being invited from individuals or group(s) and/or companies who have done outstanding research in their areas of specialisation and/or have registered success in employing Research and Development (R&D) or commercialisation of research results. The Awards will be given on the 17 February 2017 during the Official Opening of the Symposium.

  1. Send your nominations to:

    The Executive Director, Research Council of Zimbabwe, 11 Stafford Road, Mt Pleasant, Harare

      Or The Executive Director, Research Council of Zimbabwe, Bag CY 294, Causeway, Harare

Nominations may be emailed to: awards@rcz.ac.zw. Respondents may also copy technical@rcz.ac.zw.