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  • South Africa Calls for Strengthen Collaborations and Renewed Action at the 9th South African TB Conference
    South Africa has made important progress in the fight against tuberculosis (TB), but the country is not yet winning the battle. TB remains one of the leading causes of death in South Africa, although there have been significant improvements in diagnosis, treat
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  • Celebrating Over Four Decades of Impact: SAMRC Investment Powers Life-Course Health Research
    The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), together with partners from the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) and international collaborators, recently hosted a celebratory event at Wits Medical School to honour the remarkable impact and enduring
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  • Marking 28 years of impact, the 2026 L’Oréal–UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards honor five pioneering researchers
    UNESCO and The Fondation L’Oréal are proud to announce the names of the five international Laureates of the 2026 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards. On 11 June at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, these researchers will be
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  • SAMRC Strengthening Health Systems with a $400, 000.00 funding boost
    The SAMRC is injecting $400, 000.00 into South African health and medical research funding to address strategies for supporting health systems to improve equitable health outcomes globally. “This investment reflects a deliberate shift toward implementatio
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  • SAMRC contributes to WHO guidelines on the treatment of opioid dependence and the community management of opioid overdose
    The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced updated recommendations for its forthcoming guidelines on the treatment of opioid dependence and the community management of opioid overdose, responding to the substantial global burden of opioid-related morbid
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  • SAMRC Invests in the Future of Health by Establishing Seven New Research Units to Drive Innovation and Save Lives
    The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) is making a bold and strategic investment in the future of health in South Africa with the launch of seven new Extramural Research Units (EMUs), effective 1 April 2026, bringing the total of EMUs to 30. Th
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  • SAMRC Celebrates Excellence in Health Research at 12th Scientific Merit Awards
    The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) honoured two of its former leaders, Prof Glenda Gray and Prof Johnny Mahlangu, at the 12th SAMRC Scientific Merit Awards, recognising their enduring contributions to health research and institutional leadershi
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About us

Who we are

The SAMRC was established in 1969 and is dedicated to improving the health of people in South Africa, through research, innovation, development, and technology transfer. The scope of research includes laboratory investigations, clinical research, and public health studies.

We conduct research on South Africa’s quadruple burden of disease: maternal, newborn and child health, HIV/AIDS and TB, non-communicable diseases, and interpersonal violence. Our work is to acquire evidence-based information to inform health policy and practice and improve the quality and health status of people in South Africa.

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Vision & Mission

Building a healthy nation through research, innovation and transformation

To advance the nation’s health and quality of life and address inequity by conducting and funding relevant and responsive health research, capacity development, innovation and research translation

Press Releases, News Articles & Request for Applications

Latest News

World IP Day
Celebrating SAMRC’s 2026 World IP Day: Innovation in Motion
Innovation in sport today extends far beyond the stadium, field, or training ground. Increasingly, it is shaped by the convergence…
WHO visit
No Equity Without Evidence: CSA SAMRC Joins WHO Health Inequality Monitoring Network
Cochrane South Africa (CSA) is excited to announce becoming an Institutional Member of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Healt…
40 Years
Celebrating Over Four Decades of Impact: SAMRC Investment Powers Life-Course Health Research
The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), together with partners from the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) and int…

Request for Applications

diagnostics
Closing date:
The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), through its Grand Challenges South Africa progra…
rfa
Closing date:
The aim of the BM-NHSP is to contribute positively towards efforts to strengthen and accelerate prog…
RFA
Closing date:
Together with the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and the Canadian I…
RFA
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The European Partnership for Personalised Medicine, EP PerMed (supported by the European Union under…
Corporate Publications, Research Reports & Policy/Research Briefs

Latest Resource Materials

What we do?

SAMRC Project/Collaboration Websites

Event Calendar

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SAMRC President and CEO Lecture by Dr Patrick Ngassa Piotie - From Declaration To Action: The Role of the SAMRC in Addressing South Africa's Diabetes Crisis
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SAMRC President and CEO Lecture by Prof Tulio de Oliveira - Leading Global Genomics Surveillance from Africa, from HIV/AIDS, TB, COVID-19 to newly emergent pathongens
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9th SA TB Conference 2026
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Webinar #3: Carbon emissions tracking in clinical trials - resources and networks
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World Safety Conference 2026
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16th Biomedical Research & Innovation Platform Conference
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What we offer

Our Services

Biostatistical Analysis

strengthens research projects credibility

Conference and Event Planning

offers seven upmarket conference facilities

Genomics Platform

whole genome sequencing

Health Geographic Information Systems

develop geographic information systems

Knowledge and Information Management Services

supports researchers in conducting research

Videos

The three-legged silver pot commonly used to cook potjiekos and other favourites may pose serious health risks, including kidney damage due to possible lead exposure. Prof Angela Mathee explains why
CATIR and University of Limpopo Graduation, 2026
12th Scientific Merit Awards 2026