The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) has released funding opportunities under the South African National Health Research Enterprise (NHRE) Programme. The programme is supported by the SAMRC, National Treasury through the National Department of Health, the Gates Foundation and Wellcome Trust, and aims to help retain research capacity and infrastructure within South Africa. Applications can be submitted under the following themes:

• Health Systems Research

The call focuses on health systems research with a clear pathway to policy uptake, health system strengthening, equitable access to quality healthcare, scalability and measurable impact within the South African public health system.
o Award details: Supports three-year projects, of up to R2 Million per annum or a maximum of R6 Million over 3 years
Deadline: 16 October 2026- Download the PDF outlining UCT’s deadlines for internal approval

• Research in Women, Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health

The call supports research to address maternal, neonatal and child health challenges in South Africa, including maternal and perinatal mortality, healthcare system weaknesses, and neonatal infections. It also prioritises under-researched gynaecological conditions and seeks innovative approaches to improve prevention, diagnosis, treatment and management, with a focus on equity, local relevance, translation and sustainability.
o Award details: Supports three-year projects, of up to R5M per annum or a maximum of R15M over 3 years.
Deadline: 16 October 2026- Download the PDF outlining UCT’s deadlines for internal approval

• Research in Non-communicable Diseases 

The call focuses on two priority programmes: (1) cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, and (2) cancer. Proposals should address people at risk and vulnerable populations, with attention to modifiable, metabolic and environmental risk factors, and should demonstrate potential socioeconomic benefit, ideally through prevention and control strategies that can reduce avoidable mortality and morbidity
o Award details: Supports three-year projects, of up to R5 Million per annum or a maximum of R15 Million over 3 years.
Deadline: 15 October 2026- Download the PDF outlining UCT’s deadlines for internal approval

Please complete the Intention to Submit form if you plan to apply for this funding opportunity, allowing our team to track your progress and offer full support.

(https://www.samrc.ac.za/funding/south-african-national-health-research-enterprise-research-tb-hiv-other-infectious-diseases)

The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) invites applications for research projects that will strengthen the South African National Health Research Enterprise by advancing research on tuberculosis (TB), HIV and other infectious diseases. This RFA invites applications from eligible South African researchers and institutions for projects that generate knowledge, evidence, tools, innovations, platforms, interventions or implementation models to address priority gaps in TB, HIV and other infectious diseases. Applications should be aligned with South Africa’s health priorities and demonstrate clear potential to contribute to improved health outcomes, strengthened research capacity, equitable access to innovation and public health impact.

Eligibility  

• Researchers with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as the Principal Investigator.
• Principal Investigators must be South African citizens or permanent residence holders and must be employed by an eligible South African institution capable of administering the grant. 

Award details    

• Up to R5 million per annum, to a maximum of R15 million over three years.

   

Download the PDF outlining UCT’s deadlines for internal approval

Funder deadline:  

11 October 2026

Wellcome has introduced significant changes to its Discovery Research funding portfolio to make its funding processes more flexible and better aligned with the evolving research landscape.

From 14 July 2026, its career-based schemes have moved to an always-open, rolling application process:
• Early-Career Awards
This scheme provides funding for early-career researchers (no more than 3years post-PhD) from any discipline who are ready to develop their research identity. Through innovative projects, they will deliver shifts in understanding related to human life, health and wellbeing. By the end of the award, they will be ready to lead their own independent research programme.
o Award details 
PI salary for up to five years and up to £400 000 for research purposes.

• Career Development Awards
This scheme provides funding for mid-career researchers (~1-2 periods of
research post-PhD) from any discipline who have the potential to be international research leaders. They will develop their research capabilities, drive innovative programmes of work and deliver significant shifts in understanding related to human life, health and wellbeing.
o Award details 
Up to eight years and applicants may request a salary. 

• Discovery Awards
This scheme provides funding for established researchers and teams from any discipline who want to pursue bold and creative research ideas to deliver significant shifts in understanding related to human life, health and wellbeing.
o Award details 
Up to eight years of project expenses. 

Researchers can now submit applications at any time, with proposals assessed at regular intervals throughout the year. Wellcome has also updated its resubmission policy. These changes are intended to give applicants greater flexibility, reduce the pressure of fixed deadlines, and support researchers in applying when they are ready, while Wellcome continues to review and evolve its broader funding approach.

Please note: The following UCT's internal approval requirements, will continue to apply:

We are looking for a motivated PhD student to join the Psychiatric Genetics Group within the Centre for Brain-Behaviour at the UCT Neuroscience Institute. The PhD candidate will be supervised by Dr Megan Campbell in the Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health in the Faculty of Health Sciences. The successful candidate will be supported by grants awarded to Dr Campbell. A stipendwill be offered and continuation after the first year will be contingent on satisfactory academic progress.

Research scope

The doctoral project will align with key research priorities within psychiatric genomics. The successful candidate will conduct large-scale genomic analyses, statistical genetics, or computational genomics, with a dedicated focus on developing and applying analytical methodologies optimised for diverse and admixed populations.

Position Details & Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will receive specialised training tailored to the technical scope of the project. In addition to primary research activities, the candidate will be expected to contribute to broader project operations, including community engagement initiatives.

Start Date

This scholarship is tenable from early 2027.

Requirements

We particularly encourage applications from students with a background or strong interest in genetics, bioinformatics, neuroscience, or related disciplines. Experience working with large datasets, as well as experience working in R and Python and utilizing command line tools, would be beneficial. Applicants should have strong analytical and writing skills.

Application procedure

Submit your application as a single consolidated PDF file via email to bronwyn.malagas@uct.ac.za. Ensure the subject line clearly states: "PhD Application". The application must include:

• A cover letter, outlining your research interests and alignment with the group's research directions.

• A full curriculum vitae.

• The names and contact details of two academic referees.

• The ICGEB-SAWBP PhD Fellowship Scheme, in partnership with the  South African Department of Science, Technology and Innovation will support South African women researchers intending to study towards a PhD degree, in Biotechnology at the Cape Town Component for commencement in early 2027.
   
• The SAWBP programme promotes the interaction and mobility of South African women Biotechnology researchers and the ICGEB community, including mobility support to conduct research at other ICGEB Components in Trieste, Italy and New Delhi, India
   
• Proposed doctoral research projects must be innovative and fall within one of the ICGEB Cape Town Component macro areas of research, namely: Infectious Diseases, Non-Communicable Diseases, Bioinformatics, Plant Systems Biology and Virology.
   
• The Fellowships comprise a very attractive package:

  • Three-year PhD Fellowship

  • Tuition and stipend

  • Applying the latest techniques and methodologies to the applicant’s chosen research topic

  • Opportunities for mentoring, peer-to-peer learning and complementary skills

  • Immersion in a top class international scientific research environment 

ℹ️ For further info and application process guidelines: ICGEB South African Women in Biotechnology Programme SAWBP – PhD Fellowship Call – ICGEB

Closing Date for Applications:
20 October 2026