Request for Applications: Support for the South African National Health Research Enterprise in Response to U.S. Funding Withdrawals
Recognizing the catastrophic impact of U.S. funding cuts on the South African Health Research Enterprise since January 2025, the SAMRC has been spearheading efforts to raise funding to support affected institutions/organisations. In recognition of the urgency, the South African Government has approved an initial allocation of R132 million for the 2025/26 financial year under the emergency provisions of the Public Finance Management Act for this purpose. An additional R268 million will be proposed through the 2026 budget process to complete a total three-year commitment of R400 million. This investment has been augmented by generous commitments of R100 million each from the Gates Foundation and the Wellcome Trust.
The SAMRC is now pleased to launch this request for applications (RFA) to support researchers with active/previously active U.S. funded grants that were affected by the funding cuts, based at South African public universities and South African public research entities.
Applicants may apply for funding support for up to 12 months to continue, wind down or complete critical research activities and sustain the projects until U.S. funding is resumed or alternative funds are sourced.
Importantly, this RFA does not seek to fund new research projects or to fully replace the original funding awards. It is intended to provide immediate bridging support to enable continuity of critical research, sustain key personnel and infrastructure and support post-doctoral studies interrupted by the U.S. funding cuts.
RFA details
Kindly view the full details of the Request for Applications: Support for the South African National Health Research Enterprise in Response to U.S. Funding Withdrawals.
Documents to be uploaded/submitted:
- Completed online application: SAMRC-RFA-GIPD-04-2025
- Abridged Proposal in SAMRC template and signed by the designated institutional authority
- Abridged Budget in SAMRC template (in ZAR)
- U.S. funded original project proposal and budget
- Most recent notice of award (NOA)
- Letter of termination or pause of award or any related communication
- Most recent project progress report
The deadline for online application submission and submission of supporting documents is 1 September 2025, 23:59 SAST.
No emailed applications will be accepted.
Any enquiries with respect to this RFA can be addressed to gipd.rfa@mrc.ac.za