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  • SAMRC welcomes the establishment of the STI funding working group
    The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) welcomes and supports the announcement by the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande, to establish a Working Group on Science, Technology, and Innovation Funding (STI-WG) in r
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  • Inside the SAMRC’s race to rescue health research in SA
    Health research in South Africa has been plunged into crisis with the abrupt termination of several large research grants from the US, with more grant terminations expected in the coming days and weeks. Professor Ntobeko Ntusi, head of the South African Medica
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  • Research Brief for the Alcohol Diagnostic Validation for Injury-Related Trauma (AVIRT) Study – A catalyst for improving health practice and policy in South Africa
    On 18 March 2025, the South African Medical Research Council’s Burden of Disease Research Unit (BODRU) and Mental Health, Alcohol, Substance Use and Tobacco Research Unit (MAST-RU) hosted a briefing on the Alcohol Diagnostic Validation for Injury-Related Tra
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  • World TB Day 2025: Strengthening Collaboration in Tuberculosis Research
    Tuberculosis (TB) remains the leading infectious disease killer worldwide, with an estimated 1.5 million deaths and 10.6 million new cases each year (World Health Organization [WHO], 2024), despite being both preventable and curable.  South Africa is p
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  • National Cause of Death Validation Reveals HIV/AIDS Still a Leading Cause of Death in South Africa
    A large nationwide study led by the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) has assessed the accuracy of cause-of-death data collected through South Africa's Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) system. The study compared official death record
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  • Africa’s HIV vaccine research at a crossroads
    The BRILLIANT Consortium (BRinging Innovation to cLinical and Laboratory research to end HIV In Africa through New vaccine Technology) confirms the termination of funding by the USAID which directly impacts the pioneering initiative dedicated to advancing HIV
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  • SAMRC Scientific Merit Awards 2025 – honouring excellence in Health Research
    The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) held its 11th scientific merit awards to honour some of the best scientific minds in Health Research. Former Director-General at the Department of Health Adjunct Professor Precious Matsoso was awarded the P
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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

Meeting
Insights from the WHO-FIC Mid-year meeting in Kigali, Rwanda
(31 March to 4 April) The officially designated South African World Health Organization - Family of International Classifications…
SAMRC welcomes the establishment of the STI funding working group
The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) welcomes and supports the announcement by the Minister of Science, Technology a…
Rapid TB test
Comparing the accuracy of rapid TB diagnostic tests amongst Adult HIV-hospitalised patients in East London, South Africa
HIV-associated TB mortality remains relatively high in the country. Diagnostic delays and limitations of sputum-based diagnostics…

Request for Applications

Health Systems
Together with the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), the South African…
EMU
Closing date:
This RFA is an open call for researchers engaged in health research from all recognised South Africa…
Scientists
Closing date:
The Human Frontier Science Program Organization (HFSPO), in collaboration with its South African mem…
PerMED call
Closing date:
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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2nd South African Clinician Scientists Conference
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SAMRC President And CEO Lecture By Dr Bernard J Gersh
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SAPRIN Population Science Seminar Series
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SAMRC UHC/NHI Forum Webinar: Global Evidence, Local Adaptation (GELA) Project - advancing methods for strengthening national evidence systems and guideline adaptation in Malawi, Nigeria, and South Africa
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Annual SAPRIN Conference 2025
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SA AIDS 2025 conference
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Biomedical Research & Innovation Platform (BRIP) Conference 2025
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SA Mental Health Conference 2025
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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

Where to next for SA after PEPFAR fund cuts?

NIH funding has been cut. SAMRC President & CEO, Prof. Ntobeko Ntusi weighs in.

11th SAMRC Scientific Merit Awards