RCDI-Nested Postdoctoral Fellowship and PhD Scholarship Programme

The South African Medical Research Council’s Division of Research Capacity Development (RCD) invites Principal investigator (PI) beneficiaries of the Research Capacity Development Initiative (RCDI) funding to submit their expression of their interest to host Postdoctoral Research Fellows and PhD students under the RCDI-Nested Postdoctoral and Scholarship Programmes.

The purpose of the RCDI grant is to provide an opportunity for funding researchers at universities and research institutions previously constrained by inadequate access to resources. The RCDI aims to support research capacity and scientific leadership in areas that contribute to the mandate of SAMRC and demonstrate potential for public health impact. The RCDI-nested research fellowship/scholarship programme is an intervention to accelerate the building of research capacity and scientific leadership by strengthening the research team and improving the supervision experience of the RCDI-principal investigators. This will be done by creating opportunities to host and retain early career scientists who have demonstrated the potential to become established researchers. 

Current RCDI PIs are eligible to participate in the call for expression of interest to host postdoctoral fellows and doctoral students. It is expected that the RCDI project will have funding for the period of the fellowship and scholarship. Selected institutions (historically disadvantaged institutions (HDIs)) for this request are the University of Fort Hare, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, and Walter Sisulu University.

The submission of an expression of interest is not a guarantee of an award. The Postdoctoral fellow and the Doctoral candidate projects must be part of or contribute to the funded project of the PI. The PI on the funded project must be the mentor or supervisor of the research fellow or the PhD student. The PI and their nominees must meet the eligibility criteria.

RCDI-Nested Postdoctoral Fellowship

Value and duration of the award

The value of the fellowship is R350 000.00 per year. The RCDI-Research Fellow will be appointed for one year, renewable up to three years, subject to satisfactory performance and the availability of funds. The funds will be released once all the requirements are fulfilled and an agreement has been signed between the SAMRC, the host institution (HDI), the PI and the fellow. Fellows will be obliged to spend 80% of their time on the RCDI project and 20% on career development.

Eligibility of the Principal Investigator to host a Research Fellow

• Evidence of an approved research proposal with ethical approval, if applicable.
• Evidence of a proven research supervision and mentorship record.
• Evidence of available support structures and infrastructure to host a postdoctoral researcher.
• Clear plan for academic development for the nominee (mentorship plan).
• Must be a university-recognised mentor of the research fellow.
• Proof of fair selection/nomination (advertising the post at the institutional level for at least five days and submission of the selection process report).

Eligibility for nomination

• Candidates must be South African citizens or permanent residents younger than 40 years (nominees over 40 years need a strong motivation from the PI and post-PhD experience of less than three years).
• Candidates must be within five years of graduating with their PhD health/medical-related research doctorate.
• Women and disabled individuals are encouraged to apply.
• Preference will be given to candidates from historically disadvantaged groups.
• Research project must be part of the funded RCDI project.
• Full-time employees may not hold an RCDI-Nested Postdoctoral Fellowship.

RCDI-Nested PhD Scholarship

Value and duration of the award

The value of the scholarship is R200 000.00 per year. Renewal of the funding for each year will be subject to receipt of satisfactory progress reports and funding availability. The funds will be released once all the requirements are fulfilled and an agreement has been signed between the SAMRC, the host institution (HDI), the PI and the student.

Eligibility to host a Doctoral student

• Evidence of an approved research proposal with ethical approval, if applicable.
• Evidence of a proven research supervision and mentorship record.
• Evidence of available support structures and infrastructure to host a doctoral candidate.
• Plan for academic development for the nominee (mentorship plan).
• Must be a university-recognised supervisor of the candidate.
• Proof of fair selection/nomination process (advertising at institutional level for at least five days submission of the selection process report).

Eligibility for nomination

• Candidates must be South African citizens or permanent residents and registered in a health/medical science-related research programme.
• Individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Preference will be given to candidates from historically disadvantaged groups.
• Research project must be part of the funded RCDI project.
• Full-time employees may not hold an RCDI-Nested PhD Scholarship.

The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) reserves the right to disqualify ineligible, incomplete and/or inappropriate applications, change the conditions of the award, extend the closing date or make no awards at all. Please note that only successful PIs will be contacted within 60 days after the closing date. Successful PIs and their nominees will be required to sign a contractual agreement with the SAMRC.

Application process

The PIs advertise and conduct fair selections accepted by their Institutions. RCD does not receive applications from candidates or nominees. Only the PI submits the expression of interest with the nomination, including proof of the advertisement and the selection process report, and may follow up the outcome process. The expression of interest forms (Postdoctoral Fellowship or Scholarship Programme) must reach RCD no later than Monday, 20 January 2025. The online expression of interest form must be completed online here.

Please note that by submitting the application and other supporting documents, the SAMRC concludes that you are a competent person to consent and that you are giving consent to the SAMRC to process and further process all personal information contained in the application forms and supporting documents in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act, Act No 4 of 2013 (as amended).

A completed expression of interest/nomination form with supporting documentation (as listed on the form) must be sent by the Principal Investigators to RCDgrants.applications@mrc.ac.za, before or on Monday, 20 January 2025.

For further enquiries, contact Dr Frederic Nduhirabandi (email: frederic.nduhirabandi@mrc.ac.za or Tel: +27 21 938 0461)