Bongani Mayosi National Health Scholars Programme

The Bongani Mayosi National Health Scholars Programme (BM-NHSP) is an initiative of the National Health Research Committee (NHRC) and a partnership between the National Department of Health (NDoH), the Public Health Enhancement Fund (PHEF) and the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC). The objective of the BM-NHSP is to fund the training of 1000 PhDs in health and clinical research over a 10-year period.

The 2023 BM-NHSP Request for Applications (RFA) at HDIs

Applications are invited for PhD scholarships for study at the selected South African universities listed below. Funding is towards the completion of the degree and is made available for a full degree period (i.e. prescribed time for a PhD) as a tax-free scholarship for full-time study. The value of the scholarship is equivalent to the after-tax take-home pay of the applicant, in terms of the public service professional scales applicable to the qualification(s) of the candidate (excluding overtime pay). Applicants are to note that, once the benchmarking process has been completed (based on the criteria at the time) and a scholarship amount has been awarded, it will remain fixed for the full duration of the studies, irrespective of a change in circumstances, such as, for example, additional qualifications/credentials obtained or an increase in Occupation Specific Dispensation scales.

The purpose of this particular RFA is to build capacity for clinical and health research through doctoral level research training in historically disadvantaged institutions, namely: (i) University of Fort Hare, (ii) University of Limpopo, (iii) University of Venda, (iv) Walter Sisulu University, (v) University of the Western Cape, (vi) University of Zululand, (vii) Mangosuthu University of Technology and (viii) Sefako Makgatho Health Science University. The current funding opportunity is targeting the following health professionals enrolled at one of the above institutions (list not exhaustive): Professional nurses, Occupational therapists, Optometrists, Biostatisticians, Social Workers, Demographers, Physiotherapists, Pharmacists, Psychologists, Medical Practitioners and Medical Scientists who are currently enrolled for a PhD and conducting research in the following national research priority areas: Communicable diseases, Non-communicable diseases, Maternal and child health, Trauma and violence, Mental Health and Health System Strengthening.

Requirements for application

(Please check your eligibility before you apply)

1. Must be a South African citizen or permanent resident
2. Applicants must hold a master’s degree  
3. Must have an officially approved PhD research proposal
4. Must be registered as a full-time PhD student in one of the institutions listed above
5. Must provide written commitment of participation from an experienced research supervisor who is willing to train the student for the entire duration of the degree
6. The research supervisor must have research funding for the project and appropriate facilities for the scholar to effectively conduct the PhD research project

Required documentation to be submitted

• Request for Application (Full application - maximum 10 pages)
• Online Application Form

Full applications must be completed online, and all additional documents requested emailed to Mr Vincent Fipaza on or before 18 May 2023 (Extended to 25 May 2023) at Vincent.Fipaza@mrc.ac.za (Tel 021 938 0311).

For enquiries contact: Dr Lindokuhle Ndlandla at Lindokuhle.Ndlandla@mrc.ac.za / Tel 021 938 0442

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Should you not hear from the SAMRC by 31 July 2023, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful.

The South African Medical Research Council 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 candidates will be contacted after completion of the review, selection and approval processes.