SAMRC Postgraduate Research Associate Programme 2027
The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) has officially opened applications for its Postgraduate Research Associate Programme 2027, offering fully funded PhD and Master’s scholarships to outstanding students pursuing careers in clinical and health research.
Designed to strengthen South Africa’s research capacity, the programme provides postgraduate candidates with an opportunity to conduct high-impact research while working alongside experienced scientists within the SAMRC’s renowned research units, centres, and platforms.
Beyond financial support, successful applicants will benefit from structured mentorship, collaborative research projects, and practical experience that prepares them for long-term careers in health research and academia.
Applications are open until 22 September 2026, making this an excellent opportunity for aspiring researchers seeking funding while contributing to solutions for South Africa’s most pressing health challenges.
The Postgraduate Research Associate Programme is one of the South African Medical Research Council’s flagship initiatives aimed at developing the next generation of health researchers.
Rather than simply providing scholarship funding, the programme immerses postgraduate students within SAMRC research environments where they work under the supervision of senior scientists and professors. This hands-on approach enables scholars to gain valuable research experience, build professional networks, and develop advanced scientific skills while completing their postgraduate degrees.
The programme specifically aims to:
- Develop highly skilled clinical and health researchers.
- Build research capacity in South Africa.
- Strengthen research in emerging and strategic scientific fields.
- Increase representation of designated groups in health research.
- Support disciplines with limited postgraduate training opportunities at universities.
- Prepare graduates for future research careers in academia, government, and industry.
Through collaborative research and mentorship, participants gain practical exposure that extends beyond traditional university training.
SAMRC Postgraduate Research Associate Programme 2027: Priority Research Fields
SAMRC is particularly interested in supporting research that addresses South Africa’s health priorities while strengthening expertise in scarce and emerging scientific disciplines.
Preference will be given to applicants working in the following research areas:
- Behavioural Sciences
- Biostatistics
- Bioethics
- Bioinformatics
- Data Science
- Digital Health
- Demography
- Epidemiology
- Environmental Public Health
- Evolutionary Virology
- Genomics
- Health Economics
- Immunology
- Implementation Science
- Structural Biology
- Translational Science
Applicants whose research aligns with these priority areas are encouraged to apply.
SAMRC Postgraduate Research Associate Programme 2027: Scholarship Value
The programme offers generous financial support for both doctoral and master’s students.
PhD Scholarship
Successful PhD candidates will receive:
- R250,000 per year
- Funding for three years
- Possibility of a fourth year upon demonstrated progress and strong motivation from the hosting research unit and supervisor
Funding covers the prescribed duration of doctoral studies, regardless of whether previous years of study were funded by SAMRC.
Master’s Scholarship
Successful Master’s candidates will receive:
- R200,000 per year
- Funding for one year
- Possibility of a second year based on satisfactory progress and compelling motivation from the hosting unit
Funding is intended to support students throughout the prescribed duration of their master’s programme.
Who Can Apply?
The programme welcomes applications from both PhD and Master’s candidates who meet the eligibility requirements.
General Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be a South African citizen or permanent resident.
- Be registered or intending to register as a full-time postgraduate student at a South African university.
- Conduct research aligned with SAMRC priority research areas.
- Secure support from a SAMRC research unit willing to host them.
- Receive supervision from an eligible SAMRC researcher.
- Conduct research within a project that has adequate funding and facilities.
Requirements for PhD Applicants
PhD candidates must provide:
- Proof of full-time registration.
- An officially approved doctoral research proposal.
- Ethics clearance where applicable.
- Commitment from the hosting SAMRC research unit.
- Confirmation of supervision by an eligible SAMRC researcher.
The programme emphasizes research excellence alongside mentorship and institutional support.
Requirements for Master’s Applicants
Second-Year Master’s Students
Applicants must submit:
- Proof of full-time registration.
- Approved research proposal.
- Ethics clearance where applicable.
- Commitment from the hosting SAMRC unit.
- Confirmation of supervision.
First-Year Master’s Students
Applicants beginning their studies in 2027 must provide:
- Admission letter from a South African university.
- Letter of support from the proposed university supervisor.
- Recommendation letter from the proposed SAMRC supervisor.
- Commitment from the hosting SAMRC research unit.
This ensures that students have appropriate academic and research support before commencing the programme.
Mentorship and Research Experience
One of the programme’s greatest strengths is its emphasis on mentorship.
Every successful applicant is supervised or co-supervised by experienced SAMRC Senior Scientists or Professors, allowing students to develop:
- Advanced research skills.
- Scientific writing experience.
- Grant writing abilities.
- Research ethics knowledge.
- Data analysis expertise.
- Publication experience.
- Professional research networks.
This structured mentorship significantly enhances graduates’ readiness for careers in research institutions, universities, government agencies, and international organizations.
Supporting Emerging Researchers
The programme places particular emphasis on increasing participation from designated groups in scientific fields where they remain underrepresented.
Preference will therefore be given to candidates pursuing research in scarce and strategic areas such as:
- Biostatistics
- Demography
- Data Science
- Genomics
- Epidemiology
- Implementation Science
- Translational Science
By investing in these disciplines, SAMRC seeks to strengthen South Africa’s future health research workforce while promoting diversity and inclusion within the scientific community.
How to Apply
Applications are submitted online through the Research and Innovation Management System (RIMS).
The application process involves three main steps:
Step 1
Applicants and supervisors must register or log into the Research and Innovation Management System (RIMS).
Step 2
Complete the online application and upload all required supporting documents before the application deadline.
Step 3
The designated SAMRC research supervisor must complete the supervisor commitment form and submit the application before the supervisor submission deadline.
Applicants are encouraged to review the official Applicant and Supervisor Manuals before beginning their applications to ensure all documentation is completed correctly.
Important Dates
Applicants should note the following deadlines:
- Applications Open: 22 July 2026
- Application Deadline: 22 September 2026 (23:59)
- Supervisor Submission Deadline: 29 September 2026 (23:59)
Late or incomplete applications may not be considered.
Why You Should Apply
The SAMRC Postgraduate Research Associate Programme is more than a scholarship—it is a career development opportunity for aspiring scientists who wish to make meaningful contributions to health research in South Africa.
Successful applicants receive generous financial support, mentorship from leading researchers, access to world-class research facilities, and opportunities to participate in impactful projects addressing national and global health priorities.
For students passionate about improving public health through research, this programme provides an ideal platform to build a successful scientific career while contributing to evidence-based solutions that improve lives.
If you are an eligible PhD or Master’s student committed to advancing clinical and health research, now is the time to prepare your application before the 22 September 2026 deadline.
