The Wellcome Early-Career Awards scheme is soliciting applications from early-career researchers from any discipline who are ready to develop their research identity. Through innovative projects, they should deliver shifts in understanding that could improve human life, health, and wellbeing. By the end of the award, successful candidates should be equipped to lead their own independent research programme.  

 
Award details   
PI salary for up to five years and up to £400 000 for research purposes.  

Eligibility   
Early-Career Researchers.  
 
Download the PDF outlining UCT’s deadlines for internal approval.     
 
Funder deadline:   
Three deadlines annually, with the next one for 2026 being 17 February. 

(https://www.samrc.ac.za/funding/request-applications-accelerating-innovation-vaginal-formulations-support-womens-health)  

The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), in partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Grand Challenges is pleased to announce the launch of the Grand Challenges South Africa program. This Grand Challenge on Accelerating Innovation in Vaginal Formulations in Support of Women's Health is soliciting applications that contribute to development of vaginal formulations that promote optimal drug delivery within the vaginal compartment while positively supporting the vaginal milieu, and that also possess beneficial effects, even if unrelated to the API intended effect, that a user might consider desirable, such as enhancement of sexual pleasure.  

Eligibility  

• Researchers with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as the Principal Investigator  
• Projects must be based in South Africa and led by South African principal investigators, who are citizens or permanent residents.
• Preference is given to projects led by women researchers and/or institutions based in LMICs and/or involving collaborations with LMIC-based organisations

Award details     

Up to US $250,000 per project, for a maximum duration of up to 2 years.

Funder webinar for Applicants on the 20th November 2025- Registration Link  

Download the PDF outlining UCT’s deadlines for internal approval    

Funder deadline:  

16 December 2025 

(https://gcgh.grandchallenges.org/challenge/accelerating-development-innovative-exceptionally-low-cost-maternal-and-child-nutrient)  

 The Grand Challenges family of initiatives fosters innovation to solve key health and development problems. This Grand Challenge on Accelerating Development of Innovative, Exceptionally Low-Cost Maternal and Child Nutrient Ingredients and Products seeks transformative innovations to drastically lower the cost of key maternal and child nutrient ingredients and supplements. The goal is to make essential nutrients—particularly calcium, choline, and omega-3 DHA—more affordable, scalable, and accessible in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Award details     

2000 000 – 500 000USD, depending on the item developed, and the duration of the project

Eligibility  

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

Funder webinar for Applicants on the 12th November 2025- Registration Link  

Download the PDF outlining UCT’s deadlines for internal approval    

Funder deadline:  

16 December 2025 

(https://wellcome.org/research-funding/schemes/genomics-in-context-awards)  

Wellcome is soliciting applications for the Genomics in Context Awards: collaborative research at the intersection of genomics, humanities, social sciences and bioethics. These awards will support transdisciplinary teams to catalyse research discoveries at the intersection of genomics, humanities, social sciences and bioethics. Funded projects will be given the time and resources to create new research agendas and explore innovative ways of working.

Eligibility   
Researchers with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as the Principal Investigator 
Award details   
Grants of up to £500 000, for 12-24 months  

Funder webinar for Applicants on the 18th November 2025- Registration Link  

Download the PDF outlining UCT’s deadlines for internal approval 
 
Funder deadline:   
16 March 2026 

 (https://www.samrc.ac.za/funding/self-initiated-research)  

The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) is pleased to announce the 2025 call for applications for funding under the Self-Initiated Research (SIR) Grants Programme. The SIR Programme is designed to support original research initiated by a researcher at a recognized research institution. This funding opportunity encourages research geared towards generating high quality new knowledge, new medical products, improved or enhanced medical/health practice, effective health promotion strategies or improved health policy and/or functioning of the national health systems.

Applications are invited in two different categories as follows:  

• Early-career researchers; and  
• Mid-level and established researchers.  

Note: Applications from mid-level and established researchers must include a strong focus on capacity development.

Eligibility  

• Applications are limited to South African citizens and permanent residents.  
• Only one research proposal will be considered for funding per individual applicant.  
• Preference will be given to individuals who have not previously been a recipient of a SIR grant

Award details     

• R200,000 per year for a maximum period of three years. Funds to be used to support research expenses, and it is expected that the applicants already have the necessary equipment and facilities required for the proposed research.

The Faculty of Health Sciences Research Development team will be hosting an information session on Monday, 17 November 2025 (10H00-11H30). Please click here to register for the webinar.

Download the PDF outlining UCT’s deadlines for internal approval    

Funder deadline:  

12 December 2025 

(https://www.samrc.ac.za/funding/request-applications-cancer-research-projects)  

The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) is pleased to announce a new Request for Applications (RFA): Cancer Research Projects. This RFA aims to advance the National Department of Health’s Cancer Prevention and Control Plan, which prioritises prevention, early detection, equitable treatment, and palliative care.

Please see RFA for more details.

Eligibility  

• Projects must be based in South Africa, led by South African citizens or permanent residents.  
• Researchers with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as the Principal Investigator

Award details     

• Maximum of R945,000 per project over 2 years

Download the PDF outlining UCT’s deadlines for internal approval    

Funder deadline:  

09 January 2026 

 (https://www.samrc.ac.za/funding/samrc-mid-career-scientist-programme)  

The South African Medical Research Council’s (SAMRC) Division of Research Capacity Development (RCD) is pleased to request applications from mid-career scientists in health/medical research. The SAMRC Mid-Career scientist Programme aims to fast-track and transition mid-career scientists to independent researchers who will become equipped to write their own grants and thereby secure their salary and research support. The Mid-Career Scientist Programme invests in promising mid-career scientists to facilitate their retention in the public sector in areas of strategic interest to the National Department of Health (NDoH) and the SAMRC  

Please see RFA for more details on research priority areas

Eligibility  

• Applications are limited to South African citizens and permanent residents.  
• Applicants must have a research doctorate in health / medical research with at least 5 years of demonstrated independence, as evidenced by substantial grants as principal investigators with established research teams, but are not yet international leaders
• Applicants must be younger than 50 years; applicants over 50 years require a strong motivation from the Institution.

Award details     

• maximum of R1,250,000 p.a. in the first year of funding and a maximum not exceeding R1,500,000 in the second year of funding.

Download the PDF outlining UCT’s deadlines for internal approval    

Funder deadline:  

20 January 2026 

(https://wellcome.org/research-funding/schemes/wellcome-career-development-awards)

Wellcome is soliciting applications for their Career Development Awards scheme. Mid-career researchers from any discipline who have the potential to be international research leaders are eligible to apply. Through this scheme they will develop their research capabilities, drive innovative programmes of work, and deliver significant shifts in understanding that could improve human life, health, and wellbeing. By the end of the award, successful candidates should have achieved international standing in their area of research.    

Eligibility  

• Mid-Career researchers  

Award details     

• Up to eight years and applicants may request a salary.    

Download the PDF outlining UCT’s deadlines for internal approval    

Funder deadline:  

Three deadlines annually, with the next one for 2026 being 26 March. 

(https://wellcome.org/research-funding/schemes/wellcome-career-development-awards)

Wellcome is soliciting applications for their Career Development Awards scheme. Mid-career researchers from any discipline who have the potential to be international research leaders are eligible to apply. Through this scheme they will develop their research capabilities, drive innovative programmes of work, and deliver significant shifts in understanding that could improve human life, health, and wellbeing. By the end of the award, successful candidates should have achieved international standing in their area of research.    

Eligibility  

• Mid-Career researchers  

Award details     

• Up to eight years and applicants may request a salary.    

Download the PDF outlining UCT’s deadlines for internal approval    

Funder deadline:  

Three deadlines annually, with the next one for 2026 being 26 March. 

(https://www.samrc.ac.za/funding/request-applications-cancer-research-projects)  

The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) is pleased to announce the launch of the 1st Joint Transnational Call for proposals under the European Partnership on One Health Antimicrobial Resistance (EUP OHAMR). The call aims to develop innovative, cost-effective treatment options for antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This is an international call for proposals co-funded by the European Union and 37 national and regional funding organisations from 28 countries, with an estimated total call budget of over 31 million Euro.

Research and innovation proposals addressing the following topics are invited:  

• Topic 1: Identify and develop new combination treatments using existing or innovative antimicrobials or antimicrobial with adjunctive treatments to extend drug efficacy and combat resistance
• Topic 2: Develop tools and methods to improve adherence to treatment protocols
• Topic 3: Assess the impact of antimicrobials for veterinary and agricultural use on the risk of AMR transmission to humans and the environment to inform policies on the restriction of some antimicrobials for human use

Eligibility  

• Only transnational research and innovation projects will be supported, and an online partner search tool is available
• Researchers with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as the Principal Investigator

Award details     

• SHIP has committed 250 000 Euro to support 1 – 2 projects through this call.

Download the PDF outlining UCT’s deadlines for internal approval    

Funder deadline:  

02 February 2026