Page 42 - SAMRC Annual Performance Plan 2026-27

PART B: SAMRC STRATEGIC FOCUS
continued

South Africa has been the largest recipient of US Given the continued need to support the remaining
federal funding from the NIH outside of the U.S.; funding gaps, SAMRC launched a second RFA on
similarly, the country has also been one of the largest 19 December 2025. This second call, drawing from
recipients of overseas development assistance the same funding allocation, is intended to support
through agencies like the U.S. President's Emergency additional national research activities impacted
Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the U.S. Agency for by the funding withdrawals. This forms part of the
International Development (USAID), and the Center SAMRC’s continued strategic efforts to safeguard
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – all which and strengthen the country’s research landscape.
have underpinned vital health research initiatives. There is an urgent need to safeguard the state and
The withdrawal of U.S. federal support for research future of South Africa’s national health research
in South Africa threatens not only the continuity of enterprise, as a strategic imperative. The current
research but also the national capacity to address U.S. funding withdrawals represent an immediate
emerging health challenges. This capacity includes and existential crisis for South Africa's broader
but is not limited to leading clinician scientists, research landscape. As Africa's leading knowledge
virologists, microbiologists, research clinicians, producer, South Africa’s ability to sustain its research
pharmacists, postdoctoral fellows and postgraduate mission is integral to national development, global
students as well as other research and support staff. health progress, and economic stability.

Recognizing the catastrophic impact of USA funding The withdrawal of foreign research funding should
cuts on the South African Health Research Enterprise not mark a decline in South Africa’s research
since early 2025, the SAMRC spearheaded efforts leadership – it should be a catalyst for a bold,
to raise funding to support affected institutions/ sovereign investment in health research. With the
organisations. In recognition of the urgency, the political will, strategic funding, and public-private
South African Government approved and transferred partnerships, South Africa can continue to build a
an initial R132 million allocation for the 2025/26 world-class research ecosystem that meets its own
financial year under the emergency provisions of the needs and contributes globally. The SAMRC humbly
Public Finance Management Act for this purpose. urges the NDOH, the National Treasury, and the
An additional R268 million will be proposed through Department of Science, Technology and Innovation
the 2026/27 and 2027/28 budget processes to to endorse the efforts to invest in our nation’s health
complete a total three-year commitment of R400 and in our nation’s future.
million. This investment has been augmented by
generous commitments of R100 million each from The SAMRC has strategically reinforced its alliances
the Gates Foundation and the Wellcome Trust. The with prominent funding partners, including
total amount available for disbursement in 2025/26 the National Research Foundation (NRF), the
was R314.78 million. European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials
Partnership (EDCTP), the Bill & Melinda Gates
Based on this available funding for 2025/2026, the Foundation (BMGF), the Newton Fund, and the UK
SAMRC published an initial Request for Applications Medical Research Council (UK-MRC) and others.
(SAMRC-RFA-GIPD-04-2025), issued on 29 July 2025. Moreover, our stewardship as host of the African
The aim of this RFA was not to fund new research Health Research and Innovation Funders Forum
projects or to fully replace the original funding further exemplifies our leadership in aligning and
awards. It was solely intended to provide immediate optimising health research investments across the
bridging support to enable continuity of critical African continent. These diversified partnerships are
research, sustain key personnel and infrastructure important to ensure continued research funding and
and support post-doctoral studies interrupted by reduce dependence on single country donor.
the USA funding cuts. To date this RFA is supporting
around 59 projects with an estimated budget of
R225 million.

40 SAMRC ANNUAL PERFORMANCE PLAN 2026/27