Page 55 - SAMRC Annual Performance Plan 2026-27

9.3.23 Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) Analysis

Table 15: SWOT Analysis

Strengths Weaknesses
Corporate governance Research translation
Board and EMC working relationship Diversity Management
Professional, highly competent and dedicated staff members Succession planning and transformation at senior levels
Academic/research freedom Lack of Biostatisticians
Research outputs Lack of synergy between researchers
Ability to attract local and international funding Bureaucratic environment hampers progress
Capacity development Lack of knowledge sharing
Collaborations with many stakeholders Investment in infrastructure development
Communication of science through various media platforms Immediate response to emerging national health needs and
global trends
Ethical research conduct and integrity
Over-dependence on USA Federal funding
Neutral convening power
National footprint
International reputation and standing

SWOT

Opportunities Threats
Develop frameworks for evidence-based decisions making Diminishing funding for research internationally
Revise transformation strategy Lack of growth in research investment by the South African
government, despite a growing burden of disease and
Implement strategies to further grow funding
complexity
Balancing academic and societal impact
Research classified as low priority on the political agenda
Collaborations to enhance health research
Declined expenditure on research and development as a
Move towards full open access publications percentage of Gross Domestic Product
R&D localization programmes Growing trends of predatory journals
Conduct transformative and equity orientated research Data Security
Partnerships to increase innovation and scaling Scientific misconduct
Research aligned to country, regional and continental needs Cyber security
Establish SAMRC Foundation Overlap in funders of health research - delineation of
mandates needed
New and re-emerging diseases
USA Federal funding budget cuts to South Africa

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