(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

(https://www.omt.org.za/new-frontiers)

The Oppenheimer Memorial Trust (OMT) invites applications for its New Frontiers Award. This recognises the efforts of visionary early-to-mid-career researchers determined to build high-performance research teams and the South African academy. The award is intended to provide researchers with the freedom and flexibility to pursue their research, without bureaucratic constraints, helping them produce significant work and gain international recognition.

Eligibility  

Applications from all disciplines are welcome
• Hold a PhD or equivalent (e.g., MD if in a medical field).
• Be an early-to-mid-career researcher (i.e., between 5 and 15 years of research experience post-PhD qualification in their field).
• Be employed at or have a confirmed offer from the proposed host institution.
• Be able to demonstrate a significant body of work and already enjoy considerable national and/or emerging international recognition for high-quality and impactful research outputs..
 

Award details    

This grant is a five-year award, with a monetary value of ZAR 1.5 million per annum.
• OMT intends to fund 1 award nationally per year.
• Applicants need to be willing and able to dedicate at least 70% of their time to research.

Application process
• This application involves two stages. The first stage requires the PI to submit a concept note through the funder portal by 30 September 2026. Institutional approval via UCT’s electronic Research Administration (eRA) system is not needed at the Concept Note stage. Refer to the Concept Note guidelines here.
• If your concept note is accepted, you will be invited to submit a full application:
o Full applications: Opens early November 2026 and closes 31 January 20276 (this will require UCT eRA approval – contact FHS.ResearchFunding@uct.ac.za for internal deadlines).

Funder deadline:  

30 September 2026

Publishing in peer-reviewed journals is an integral part of the postgraduate process. However, many students leave UCT before converting their dissertation/thesis into publishable manuscripts. The Postgraduate Publication Incentive (PPI) award is intended to assist needy students within the Faculty of Health Sciences to ‘buy time’ by contributing to their living expenses.
Supervisors to apply for funding from this scheme on behalf of their graduating students.

Eligibility 

• PhD students who have recently submitted or are about to submit their dissertation/thesis (Masters students may be considered depending on availability of funding)

  
Award details 

R5 000

Funder deadline
02 October 2026

Download the full call for more information

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:

(https://www.samrc.ac.za/about-us/samrc-scientific-merit-awards)

The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) has issued a call for nominations for the annual 2025 SAMRC Scientific Merit Awards. Through these prestigious awards the SAMRC aims to acknowledge outstanding contributions to health research, recognise individuals who have demonstrated exceptional scientific acumen or made innovative strides in addressing public health challenges, potentially influencing policy and thereby enhancing the well-being of the South African population.

The Main Award Categories are as Follows:
• Platinum Lifetime Scientific Achievement Award
• Gold Scientific Excellence Award
• Silver Scientific Achievement Award
• Research Capacity Development and Transformation Award
• Public Health Implementation and Impact Award
• Bronze Scientific Achievement Award
• Emerging Researcher Award

Eligibility
The Awards are open to South African citizens and Permanent Residents who meet the award criteria and are eligible to be nominated

For more details about these opportunities, including the nomination process and selection criteria, please visit the funder’s page and review the nomination form.

Funder deadline:
The deadline for submission of the completed nomination form is on the 21st September 2026

(https://gcgh.grandchallenges.org/challenge/innovations-low-cost-and-simplified-pathogen-sequencing-workflows)

The Grand Challenges invites applications for innovative solutions that will make pathogen genomic sequencing more affordable, scalable and operationally simple for routine public health use in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This call seeks proposals that substantially reduce the cost and complexity of pathogen sequencing, with a target of approximately US$1–10 per sample from sample to sequencing data. Proposed solutions should simplify sequencing workflows while maintaining data quality and public-health utility and should be suitable for implementation in LMIC public-health laboratories.

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

Award details
• Tier 1 Early-stage feasibility awards: Up to US$300,000 for up to 24 months.
• Tier 2 Mid-stage development awards: Up to US$600,000 for up to 24 months.
• Tier 3 Advanced development and validation awards: Up to US$800,000 for up to 36 months.

Funder webinar on the 1st of September please register here.

Download the PDF outlining UCT’s deadlines for internal approval

Funder deadline:
29 September 2026