The NRF rating system was established as part of the foundation's mission to establish a globally competitive science system in South Africa. It is a crucial tool for evaluating the quality of researchers in comparison to their international counterparts. NRF ratings are given to researchers based on the impact of their recent research outputs. The NRF P-rating is reserved for individuals are are leaders and pioneers in their areas of expertise. The rating also provides an attestation of a researcher’s potential to shape the future of their field and mentor the next generation of scholars.