SAMRC PhD & Master’s Research Scholarships 2027

Contexte

The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) has officially opened applications for its Postgraduate Research Associate Programme 2027, offering fully funded PhD and Master’s scholarships to outstanding students pursuing careers in clinical and health research. Designed to strengthen South Africa’s research capacity, the programme provides postgraduate candidates with an opportunity to conduct high-impact research while working alongside experienced scientists within the SAMRC’s renowned research units, centres, and platforms.

Beyond financial support, successful applicants will benefit from structured mentorship, collaborative research projects, and practical experience that prepares them for long-term careers in health research and academia.

The Postgraduate Research Associate Programme is one of the South African Medical Research Council’s flagship initiatives aimed at developing the next generation of health researchers.

Rather than simply providing scholarship funding, the programme immerses postgraduate students within SAMRC research environments where they work under the supervision of senior scientists and professors. This hands-on approach enables scholars to gain valuable research experience, build professional networks, and develop advanced scientific skills while completing their postgraduate degrees.

Through collaborative research and mentorship, participants gain practical exposure that extends beyond traditional university training.

Missions et responsabilités

The programme specifically aims to:

• Develop highly skilled clinical and health researchers.
• Build research capacity in South Africa.
• Strengthen research in emerging and strategic scientific fields.
• Increase representation of designated groups in health research.
• Support disciplines with limited postgraduate training opportunities at universities.
• Prepare graduates for future research careers in academia, government, and industry.

Every successful applicant is supervised or co-supervised by experienced SAMRC Senior Scientists or Professors, allowing students to develop:

• Advanced research skills.
• Scientific writing experience.
• Grant writing abilities.
• Research ethics knowledge.
• Data analysis expertise.
• Publication experience.
• Professional research networks.

Profil recherché

SAMRC is particularly interested in supporting research that addresses South Africa’s health priorities while strengthening expertise in scarce and emerging scientific disciplines. Preference will be given to applicants working in the following research areas:

• Behavioural Sciences
• Biostatistics
• Bioethics
• Bioinformatics
• Data Science
• Digital Health
• Demography
• Epidemiology
• Environmental Public Health
• Evolutionary Virology
• Genomics
• Health Economics
• Immunology
• Implementation Science
• Structural Biology
• Translational Science

General Eligibility Requirements. Applicants must:

• Be a South African citizen or permanent resident.
• Be registered or intending to register as a full-time postgraduate student at a South African university.
• Conduct research aligned with SAMRC priority research areas.
• Secure support from a SAMRC research unit willing to host them.
• Receive supervision from an eligible SAMRC researcher.
• Conduct research within a project that has adequate funding and facilities.

Requirements for PhD Applicants. PhD candidates must provide:

• Proof of full-time registration.
• An officially approved doctoral research proposal.
• Ethics clearance where applicable.
• Commitment from the hosting SAMRC research unit.
• Confirmation of supervision by an eligible SAMRC researcher.

Requirements for Master’s Applicants. Second-Year Master’s Students. Applicants must submit:

• Approved research proposal.
• Commitment from the hosting SAMRC unit.
• Confirmation of supervision.

First-Year Master’s Students. Applicants beginning their studies in 2027 must provide:

• Admission letter from a South African university.
• Letter of support from the proposed university supervisor.
• Recommendation letter from the proposed SAMRC supervisor.

Conditions et avantages

PhD Scholarship. Successful PhD candidates will receive:

• R250,000 per year
• Funding for three years
• Possibility of a fourth year upon demonstrated progress and strong motivation from the hosting research unit and supervisor

Funding covers the prescribed duration of doctoral studies, regardless of whether previous years of study were funded by SAMRC.

Master’s Scholarship. Successful Master’s candidates will receive:

• R200,000 per year
• Funding for one year
• Possibility of a second year based on satisfactory progress and compelling motivation from the hosting unit

Funding is intended to support students throughout the prescribed duration of their master’s programme.

Dossier de candidature

Le dossier de candidature comprend l’ensemble des pièces requises selon le profil (Master 1, Master 2 ou Doctorat) :

• Proof of full-time registration (PhD)
• Officially approved doctoral research proposal (PhD)
• Ethics clearance where applicable (PhD)
• Commitment from the hosting SAMRC research unit
• Confirmation of supervision by an eligible SAMRC researcher
• Approved research proposal (2nd-year Master’s)
• Admission letter from a South African university (1st-year Master’s)
• Letter of support from the proposed university supervisor (1st-year Master’s)
• Recommendation letter from the proposed SAMRC supervisor (1st-year Master’s)

Comment postuler

Applications are submitted online through the Research and Innovation Management System (RIMS).

The application process involves three main steps:

1. Applicants and supervisors must register or log into the Research and Innovation Management System (RIMS).
2. Complete the online application and upload all required supporting documents before the application deadline.
3. The designated SAMRC research supervisor must complete the supervisor commitment form and submit the application before the supervisor submission deadline.

Applicants are encouraged to review the official Applicant and Supervisor Manuals before beginning their applications to ensure all documentation is completed correctly.

Important Dates:

• Applications Open: 22 July 2026
• Application Deadline: 22 September 2026 (23:59)
• Supervisor Submission Deadline: 29 September 2026 (23:59)

Late or incomplete applications may not be considered.