NITheCS – A HOME FOR THEORETICAL AND COMPUTATIONAL SCIENCES
The National Institute for Theoretical and Computational Sciences (NITheCS) is a platform that allows a diversity of knowledge fields to meet in a stimulating environment. NITheCS provides South Africa with the opportunity to become an international player in fields of science. It builds on the progress achieved by the National Institute for Theoretical Physics (NITheP), an NRF Centre of Excellence (CoE) that has led research programmes and educational opportunities in theoretical physics in South Africa and Africa.
UPCOMING EVENTS
NITheCS Mini-workshop
‘Exploring Theoretical Work at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR)’
Prof Nikolai Antonenko (BLTP, JINR, Russia), Dr Gurgen Adamian (BLTP, JINR, Russia) & Prof Sergei Rakitianski (University of Pretoria)
Monday, 11 December 2023 | 14h15-17h00 SAST
Venue: Neelsie Cinema, Stellenbosch University, and online
CHPC & NITheCS Summer School 2024
The 14th CHPC Coding Summer School and the 6th NITheCS Summer School on the Foundations of Theoretical and Computational Science
Venue: designated universities and research institutions in Southern Africa
29 January – 9 February 2024
Applications are open. Successful candidates will be notified by 10 November 2023.
LATEST BLOGS
World Quantum Day and Synergy Summit
We celebrated World Quantum Day and hosted the Synergy Summit: High Performance Computing for Sustainable Development in April 2023. The Summit was the opening day of the HPC School.
A day for all to celebrate Mathematics
With the year now fully in its stride, we have been busy with work on important documentation such as our annual report. At the same time, our team has been arranging many events.
2023 kicks off with a Summer School
Some 700 students are attending the 13th CHPC Coding Summer School & 5th NITheCS Summer School on the Foundations of Theoretical and Computational Science.
APPLY TO BECOME A NITheCS ASSOCIATE
Enjoy a host of benefits as a NITheCS Associate!
In addition to affiliation with a national institute, we offer networking opportunities, grants, bursary programmes and more. If you have a PhD in a theoretical or computational field of science, and you hold a position at a South African university, you are eligible to apply to become an Associate. READ MORE…
The scientific themes of NITheCS:
THE TRANSITION FROM NITheP TO NITheCS
Expressions of Interest to establish NITheCS
The DSI and NRF have called for Expressions…
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The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) in partnership with the National Research Foundation (NRF) approved the establishment of the National Institute for Theoretical and Computational Sciences (NITheCS). The establishment of the NITheCS will follow a two-step process with:
- STEP 1 being the solicitation for Expressions of Interest (EoIs) from self-organised consortia of Higher Education Institutions and qualified partners (in a hub or lead/administrative node and spoke configuration) to make submissions for the establishment of NITheCS in accordance with the criteria and guidelines as outlined in the NITheCS EoI Call Document which is available on the NRF website at https://www.nrf.ac.za/ and the NITheCS website.
- STEP 2 will be a call for Full Proposals based on the outcomes of the EoIs.
PLEASE NOTE
- The Expression of Interest (EoI) Call opened on 20 May 2022 and will close for applicants on 24 June 2022. The Designated Authorities (DAs) closing date for submission of applications to the NRF is 1 July 2022.
- The EoI must be completed by the lead institution in consultation with all consortium members and submitted to the lead (Hub) institution’s DA and accompanied by letters of support by the DAs of all other consortium members.
- The DA must email the validated applications (as PDF documents) to the NRF and specifically to:
- Mrs Judith Mahlanya (Professional Officer: Grants Management and Systems Administration) at Mahlanya@risa.nrf.ac.za AND
- Mr Simon Lotz (Director: Grants Management and Systems Administration): SM.Lotz@risa.nrf.ac.za.
- Applications received after the closing date, as stipulated in the Call document, will be rejected.
- The NRF will not process EoIs that are (a) incomplete, (b) contain insufficient or incorrect detail, (c) that do not meet the eligibility criteria and call requirements hence such applications will be rejected – please refer to the guidelines in the Call Document in this regard.
The EoIs will be assessed by an evaluation panel convened by the NRF aligned to the criteria as captured in this call document and subsequently ranked. The NRF and the DSI will then consider the recommendations of the evaluation panel and reach consensus on which consortia-led EoIs to invite to submit Full Proposals through a closed, targeted call. Consortia that have not submitted EoIs (Step 1) will not be eligible for submission of Full Proposals (Step 2) since the Call for Proposals will be a closed call targeted only at consortia that have submitted EoIs which have been positively reviewed by the NRF convened evaluation panel.
All applicants who submit EoIs will receive feedback on their submissions.
CONTACT PERSONS
For information regarding the NRF application process and requirements:
- Mr Simon Lotz, Director: Grants Management and Systems Administration (T: 012 481 4125 | E: SM.Lotz@risa.nrf.ac.za).
- Mrs Judith Mahlanya, Professional Officer: Grants Management and Systems Administration (T: 012 481 4063 | E: JK.Mahlanya@risa.nrf.ac.za).
For information regarding the reviews and evaluation of applications:
- Dr Patrick Nonjola, Director: Reviews and Evaluation, (E: PTN.Nonjola@risa.nrf.ac.za).
- Mr Mashudu Mbulaheni, Professional Officer: Reviews and Evaluations (E: m.mbulaheni@risa.nrf.ac.za)
For information regarding the NITheCS Funding Instrument:
- Mr Nathan Sassman. Director: CoEs, NRF (E: NE.Sassman@risa.nrf.ac.za)
Roadmap for the transition to NITheCS
NITheCS has been comprehensively scoped out…
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by the scientific community in lockstep with the strategic direction outlined by the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI). It is closely aligned with the policy intents of the White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation.
The transition from the National Institute for Theoretical Physics (NITheP) to NITheCS is a 4-phase process. NITheCS’ strategic intent is to step up research programmes by improving economies of scale and thereby increase global competitiveness.
Find out more about NITheCS and its potential to propel science to the forefront of development in the NITheCS Roadmap.
The science case for reconfiguration
This is the final report of Expert Working Group…
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assigned the task of considering the restructuring of the National Institute for Theoretical Physics, NITheP.
The Executive Summary serves as a concise outline, but motivation will be found in the body of the report, as will conclusions, detailed recommendations and risk mitigation strategies. This work is also intended to serve as a resource for any further documents, and therefore includes extensive appendices for reference purposes.
Read the full document, ‘Building the science case for NITheP reconfiguration into NITheCS: Final Report of the Expert Working Group appointed by the DSI/NRF’.
MORE ABOUT NITheCS
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to build human and research capacity in Theoretical and Computational Sciences and to enhance scientific innovation, transformation and socio-economic development.
OUR VISION
Our vision is to be a leading African Institute for Theoretical and Computational Sciences, internationally recognised for excellent and impactful research, training and engagement programmes.
LEADERSHIP
Prof Francesco Petruccione (UKZN), the Interim Director of NITheCS since 1 April 2020, is leading the facility’s transition to NITheCS. The Deputy Directors are Prof João Rodrigues (WITS) and Prof Kristian Müller-Nedebock (SU). Read more…