Are you a passionate student seeking to make a real-world impact in health and clinical research? The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) has officially launched the Postgraduate Research Associate Programme 2025, offering fully funded PhD and Masters scholarships for outstanding candidates in priority and scarce skill areas such as biostatistics, genomics, digital health, epidemiology, and data science.
This prestigious programme not only funds your studies but also provides high-level mentorship, infrastructure, and supervision from SAMRC researchers across its intramural and extramural research units—paving the way for transformative research careers.
SAMRC Postgraduate Research Programme – Overview
- Host Institution: South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC)
- Location: South Africa (Universities + SAMRC-affiliated Research Units)
- Program Type: Fully Funded Masters and PhD Scholarships
- Funding Period: PhD: 3 years + 1 optional extension (R250,000/year) and Masters: 1 year + 1 optional extension for scarce skills (R200,000/year)
- Application Deadline: 21 August 2025 at 23:59 (SAST)
Fields of Study (Priority & Scarce Skills Areas)
SAMRC gives preference to applicants in the following high-demand research fields:
- Biostatistics & Bioinformatics
- Epidemiology & Demography
- Genomics & Immunology
- Digital Health & Data Science
- Evolutionary Virology
- Implementation & Translational Science
- Health Economics
- Environmental Public Health
- Structural Biology
- Bioethics
These areas align with SAMRC’s mission to grow health research capacity and support emerging scientists in strategic fields across South Africa.
Eligibility Requirements for Scholarships in South Africa
PhD Applicants:
- South African citizen or permanent resident
- Registered full-time in a PhD program at a South African university
- Approved PhD research proposal and ethics clearance
- Research must align with SAMRC priority areas
- Commitment from a SAMRC research unit director and supervisor for hosting, mentorship, and funding support
Masters Applicants:
- Registered full-time at a South African university
- Officially approved research proposal (2nd-year applicants) or admission and support letters (1st-year applicants)
- Fields like Data Science, Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Computer Science or students enrolled at HDIs may qualify for a 2-year scholarship
- Host supervisor from an SAMRC intramural/extramural unit must provide infrastructure and mentorship
Click Here to Check More Details for Scholarship Eligibility
How to Apply for Fully Funded Scholarships in South Africa
Here is the step by step procedure for South Africa Government Funded SAMRC Scholarships successful application
Step 1: Read the Scholarship Application Guidelines and Applications Checklist
Click Here to Download the SAMRC South African Scholarship Guidelines
Step 2: Complete the Online Application Form and Upload the Required Documents for Scholarship
Click Here to Apply Online for Scholarship
Note: Your SAMRC-affiliated supervisor must submit a separate commitment form confirming hosting capacity and mentorship plan.
Scholarship Benefits
- PhD funding: R250,000 per year (up to 4 years)
- Masters funding: R200,000 per year (up to 2 years for eligible fields)
- Structured mentorship from experienced SAMRC researchers
- Access to cutting-edge laboratories, datasets, and project funding
- Joint supervision with national and international collaborators
Apply Now – Transform South Africa’s Future Through Research
If you are a dedicated South African student passionate about driving change in healthcare and science, the SAMRC Postgraduate Research Associate Programme is your launchpad.
Click Here to Explore and Visit the Official SAMRC South African Scholarship 2026
Also Check:
- HEC Scholarship List 2025
- International Scholarships 2025 List Worldwide
- Undergraduate Scholarships List 2025
- Master Scholarships List 2025
- PhD Scholarships List 2025
- Postdoc Fellowships List 2025
Stay connected with Careers Help Desk for the latest global research fellowships, fully funded academic positions, and international postdoc opportunities.
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