The Michelson Medical Research Foundation seeks to unravel the complexity of the human immune system, accelerating the development of vaccines and therapies for some of the world’s most threatening diseases. The Michelson Prizes is looking for research proposals on human immunology and vaccine research. The committee will look for research that aims to tackle the current roadblocks to human vaccine development and expand our limited understanding of key immune processes that are fundamental to successful vaccine and immunotherapy development. 

While the Michelson Prizes are focused on research in the fields of immunology, vaccine, and immunotherapy discovery, applicants from the full spectrum of related disciplines, including clinical research, biochemistry, molecular biology, protein engineering, computer science, artificial intelligence/machine learning, biophysics, nanotechnology, etc., are encouraged to apply. 

Award details   
$150,000 / 1-year grants to support research 

Eligibility  

• Researchers 35 years of age and under 

• Researchers with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as the Principal Investigator   

Click here for more information about the Michelson Prizes: Next Generation Grants and what reviewers will be looking for. 

Funder deadline:  
22 June 2025 

The Faculty Research Committee (FRC) has committed a budget to strategic research support awards to assist postgraduate research related projects. The intention of this award is to assist Principal Investigators to support a postgraduate related research project(s) with the vision to help fulfil the successful completion of both the project(s) and the postgraduate degree(s).

Award information: Award type: Research Training Grant to assist completion of a postgraduate student research related project(s). Value and allowable costs: − A maximum award of R30 000 per application towards research costs. − Research costs requested may include research consumables, other research related expenses and a contribution to the postgraduate student’s stipend.

Eligibility: Application for the funding must be made by the Principal Investigator (academic or research staff member in the Faculty of Health Sciences) who is the supervisor of the postgraduate student(s) (including any postgraduate degree involving a research component

– Honours, MSc, PhD, MMed, etc) conducting the relevant research project(s). Principal Investigators can apply for funds to support multiple students’ projects in one application but are limited to one application per Principal Investigator. Applications will be reviewed by a subcommittee of the FRC. Criteria for selection:

− Awards will be made on a competitive basis.

− The main criterion is financial need such that the award will allow promising students to successfully accomplish their research projects towards their degree.

− The applicant must provide a strong motivation as to why additional research related funding (additional expenses not anticipated at the start of the project) is needed to successfully complete the project(s).

− The applicant must provide a clear breakdown of the proposed expenditure of the grant in the budget section of the application.

− In the case of requests for a stipend contribution for the postgraduate student, a clear justification as to why the student has been unable to obtain sufficient funding for 2025 must be provided. − Students must be registered in the Faculty of Health Sciences or for a degree that has a Health Sciences Faculty Departmental Course code.

How payment is made: Payment will be made into the Principal Investigator’s fund. Report: A brief report of the activities supported by the award and a financial report needs to be submitted to the Faculty Research Committee by 28 June 2026.

How to apply: Applications should be submitted on the template provided on the next page.

Send complete applications signed by both the Principal Investigator (Supervisor) and the Head of Department to precious.nobongoza@uct.ac.za

Please note that supervisors (not postgraduate students) must liaise directly with the Faculty Research Office precious.nobongoza@uct.ac.za) if there are any queries on this award.