South African Medical Research Council Health Research Funding & Capacity Development

The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) is the largest local health research funder in South Africa. Its vision is to build a healthy nation through research and innovation. The SAMRC conducts and funds health research through intramural research units (housed within the SAMRC) and extramural research units (based at universities and research institutions), as well as through competitive grants and strategic partnerships.

Through its Division of Research Capacity Development (RCD) and the Grants, Innovation and Product Development (GIPD) unit, the SAMRC funds researchers at every career stage -- from postgraduate students and PhD candidates through to early investigators, mid-career scientists, and established researchers. Transformation, particularly of black and women scientists, and strengthening Historically Disadvantaged Institutions (HDIs) are central to the SAMRC's funding strategy.

SIR Grants

Up to R200K/yr

3-year Self-Initiated Research

Early Investigators

R500K/yr

R200K research + R300K salary

Scarce Skills

Priority Fields

Biostatistics, genomics, digital health

HDI Focus

National Reach

Including under-resourced universities

Two Funding Streams

Research Grants

Competitive grants for health researchers at recognised research institutions. The flagship Self-Initiated Research (SIR) programme funds original health research at up to R200,000/year for three years. Additional instruments support early investigators, clinician post-PhD fellows, and mid-career scientists transitioning to independent researcher status.

The GIPD unit also manages international partnership grants focused on health innovation, including collaborations with EP PerMed (personalised medicine), the Dutch Research Council, and other global bodies.

Scholarships & Training

The RCD division funds Masters and Doctoral scholarships through programmes including the Bongani Mayosi National Health Scholars Programme (BM-NHSP), Clinician Researcher Development, Postgraduate Research Associate Programme, Vaccinology Programme, and the Researcher Development Programme.

Preference is given to candidates from designated groups, students registered at HDIs, and those pursuing scarce skills areas such as biostatistics, genomics, epidemiology, data science, and digital health.

Health Priority Areas

The SAMRC focuses funding on South Africa's quadruple burden of disease and related health challenges.

HIV & Tuberculosis Non-Communicable Diseases Maternal & Child Health Violence & Injuries Vaccinology Digital Health & AI Epidemiology Drug Discovery

Research Grant Instruments

Flagship Programme

Self-Initiated Research (SIR)

Up to R200,000/year for 3 years

Supports original health research initiated by a researcher at a recognised institution. Two categories: early-career researchers (primary focus) and mid-level/established researchers (must demonstrate capacity building). Only one SIR grant per individual. Preference given to first-time recipients, black and women scientists, and resource-limited institutions. Intramural unit staff not eligible.

Career Development

Early Investigators Programme

R200K research + R300K salary/year

For promising early-career scientists with leadership potential. Requires a research doctorate with 3 to 5 years postdoctoral experience (or 1+ year for clinician-scientists). Institution must commit to appoint the applicant as a researcher, fund running expenses, and provide infrastructure. Cannot be held with another SAMRC capacity development grant.

Clinician Scientists

Clinician Post-PhD Programme

Negotiated (gov. cost of employment equivalent)

2-year fellowship (renewable for a 3rd year) for clinician-scientists who completed their PhD within the last 5 years. Bridges the gap between PhD training and independent investigator status. Host institution must provide research infrastructure, expenses, and mentorship. Focuses on building research leadership, particularly among black and female clinicians.

PhD Completion

Researcher Development Programme

Once-off award

Supports individuals in the last 12 months of their PhD who are employed at academic institutions or SAMRC research units/centres. Relieves financial pressure to allow candidates to focus on completing their doctoral degrees. Research supervisor must complete a commitment form and submit the application.

Intramural Postdocs

Intramural Postdoctoral Programme

3-year award (extendable to 5)

Funded by the RCD division within SAMRC intramural research and business units. The hosting Unit Director/PI provides research running expenses, infrastructure, mentorship, and career development. The fellow spends a minimum of 80% time on the research project. Subject to satisfactory annual progress reports.

Transformation Is Central

The SAMRC's funding strategy prioritises transformation of the health research pipeline. Preference is given to black and women scientists, researchers from Historically Disadvantaged Institutions (HDIs), and projects demonstrating capacity building of under-represented groups. The SAMRC's objective is to increase its footprint nationally to include all strata of universities, particularly under-resourced institutions.

Scholarship Programmes

The RCD division runs several scholarship programmes for Masters and Doctoral students whose supervisors are SAMRC researchers.

Bongani Mayosi National Health Scholars Programme (BM-NHSP)

Attracts young scientists and professionals to PhD research opportunities in university environments. Strengthens research profiles and improves prospects of permanent employment in health/clinical research. Aligned with the NDoH human resource strategy and national health research priorities.

Clinician Researcher Development Programme

PhD scholarships for clinician-scientists at South African medical schools. Develops a cadre of highly trained clinician-scientists for careers in academic medicine. Must have supervisory support from an SAMRC intramural unit, extramural unit, or research centre.

Postgraduate Research Associate Programme

Fully funded PhD and Masters scholarships in priority and scarce skills areas (biostatistics, genomics, digital health, epidemiology, data science). Preference given to designated groups and HDI candidates. Supervisor must be an SAMRC researcher. 2-year scholarships available for scarce skills fields.

Vaccinology Programme

Develops next-generation leaders in vaccine discovery, development, manufacturing, implementation, and clinical epidemiology. Previously collaborated with the Swiss Vaccine Research Institute (SVRC) and the University of Lausanne. Focuses on early-career researchers in the field.

Intramural vs Extramural Research Units

Intramural units are housed within the SAMRC and receive enabling funding from the Council. Staff in intramural units are not eligible for SIR grants but may access the intramural postdoctoral programme and other internal funding. Extramural units are based at universities and other institutions. Researchers in extramural units may apply for SIR grants, but must declare all SAMRC funding in their application. Both types of units can host postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows.

How to Apply

Register on the SAMRC System

For SIR grants, register on the RIMS database to create your profile and apply online. For RCD scholarships and grants, use the online application portal linked from each specific call page on samrc.ac.za/funding.

Review the Call Documents

Each funding instrument has its own Request for Applications (RFA) document with specific guidelines, eligibility criteria, required documents, and budget templates. Download and read these carefully before starting your application.

Complete and Upload Documents

Fill in the online application form and upload all required supporting documents, including your research proposal/abstract, budget, CV, and institutional commitment letters. For scholarship applications, your research supervisor must complete a commitment form and submit the application on your behalf.

Submit Before the Deadline

Applications typically close in August each year (check each call for exact dates). Late, incomplete, or ineligible applications are disqualified. The SAMRC reserves the right to make no awards at all.

Review and Notification

Applications undergo peer review and selection. Only successful candidates are contacted, typically by 31 December. If you do not hear from the SAMRC by that date, your application has been unsuccessful. Award letters and conditions of grant are provided to successful applicants.

Only Successful Candidates Are Contacted

Unlike many other funders, the SAMRC does not notify unsuccessful applicants. If you have not heard from the SAMRC by 31 December of the application year, your application has been unsuccessful. The SAMRC also reserves the right to disqualify ineligible or incomplete applications, change the conditions of award, extend closing dates, or make no awards at all.

International Research Partnerships

Through its GIPD unit, the SAMRC manages strategic partnerships with international bodies. Current opportunities include the EP PerMed CARMEN2026 joint transnational call for personalised medicine research (cardiovascular, metabolic, kidney diseases) and the EP PerMed Research, Innovation and Technology Call. The SAMRC connects innovative South African researchers with like-minded organisations worldwide that provide co-funding opportunities.

Common Questions

Can anyone apply for a Self-Initiated Research grant?

SIR grants are open to South African citizens and permanent residents only who are permanently employed (or on a long-term contract) at a recognised research institution where research is one of the core activities. Early-career researchers are the primary focus, but mid-level and established researchers may also apply if they demonstrate a clear capacity-building component. Intramural unit staff are not eligible. Only one SIR grant per person at a time.

Can I hold an SAMRC grant alongside other funding?

For SIR grants, recipients of other SAMRC grants (including those in extramural units) may apply, but all grants must be declared. For Early Investigators and other RCD programmes, the award may not be held concurrently with another SAMRC capacity development grant. Research on behalf of commercial entities is not eligible for SIR funding.

What are the scarce skills areas the SAMRC prioritises?

The SAMRC gives preference to candidates in high-demand research fields including biostatistics, genomics, digital health, epidemiology, data science, computer science, and other strategic areas aligned with national health priorities. Students in scarce skills fields or enrolled at HDIs may qualify for extended (2-year) scholarship periods under certain programmes.

What is the Bongani Mayosi National Health Scholars Programme?

Named after the late Professor Bongani Mayosi, the BM-NHSP aims to contribute towards equity in health research by attracting young scientists and professionals to PhD research opportunities. It strengthens research profiles and improves permanent employment prospects in health and clinical research. The programme aligns with the National Department of Health's human resources strategy and national health research priorities.

Do I need a supervisor at an SAMRC unit?

For scholarship programmes (Postgraduate Research Associate, Clinician Researcher Development, etc.), yes -- your research supervisor must be an employee or researcher at an SAMRC intramural unit, extramural unit, or research centre. For SIR grants, you do not need an SAMRC-affiliated supervisor, but you must be at a recognised research institution. For Early Investigators, the host institution must provide formal commitment to appoint, fund, and support the applicant.

When do applications typically open and close?

Most SAMRC funding calls open around June to August each year and close in August to September. For 2025/26, RCD scholarship applications closed on 18 August 2025 and SIR applications have previously closed in June or August. Deadlines vary by programme, so check the SAMRC funding page regularly for current calls. Results are typically communicated by 31 December.

Important Links & Resources

Official SAMRC portals, funding calls, and application resources.

SAMRC Funding Hub

samrc.ac.za/funding

SAMRC Official Website

samrc.ac.za

Self-Initiated Research (SIR)

R200K/yr for 3 years

Early Investigators Programme

R500K/yr career development

RCD Scholarships

Masters, PhD, clinician programmes

RCD Grants Overview

All capacity development grants

grantZA is an independent informational guide and is not affiliated with the SAMRC or any government department. For official enquiries, visit samrc.ac.za or contact [email protected] for scholarship queries.