Science Forum South Africa (SFSA 2026)

Event Overview

The Science Forum South Africa 2026 is a major public platform focused on the intersection of science, policy, and society. It will be held in Pretoria, South Africa, and is designed as an open, international space for dialogue on how science translates into real-world impact.

Core Purpose

The forum functions as a large-scale, open engagement platform where science, society, and policy intersect. It is structured to:

• Facilitate debate on science–society linkages
• Strengthen science-policy dialogue
• Promote public engagement in research and innovation
• Connect researchers with government, industry, and civil society actors
• Amplify Africa’s role in global science discussions

Programme structure

• Multi-track parallel sessions across diverse scientific and policy themes
• Sessions combining top-down curation with publicly submitted proposals

Participant diversity

The forum brings together:

• Scientists and researchers
• Students and early-career professionals
• Government and policy actors
• Private sector representatives
• Civil society organisations
• International participants, especially from across Africa

International dimension

• Strong emphasis on cross-border scientific collaboration
• Participation from global and African stakeholders in science diplomacy and innovation

Open and participatory design

• Competitive call for session proposals
• Exhibition opportunities for institutions and organisations
• Public nominations for science diplomacy awards

Open Calls (Deadline: 31 July 2026)

The forum has three main participation streams:

• Session Proposals – propose and organise thematic sessions within the programme
• Exhibition Applications – showcase research, innovation, or institutional work
• Science Diplomacy Awards Nominations – nominate individuals or initiatives contributing to science diplomacy

Organisational Context

The forum is co-hosted by:

• South African Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI)
• Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa (SDCfA) initiative
• Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

Positioning and Relevance

SFSA is positioned as a science-policy interface platform, particularly relevant for:

• Research-to-impact translation
• Science diplomacy and international cooperation
• Innovation ecosystems in Africa
• Public engagement in science and technology policy
• Cross-sectoral collaboration (government–academia–industry–civil society)