SAMRC Early Investigators Programme
The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC)'s Division of Research Capacity Development (RCD) is pleased to request applications from early investigators in health/medical research. The SAMRC Early Investigators Programme is an excellent opportunity for South African academic institutions to support future health research leaders to establish their own research teams and make the transition to Mid-Career Scientists and independent researchers.
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As we approach the application closing date (20 September 2024) of the SAMRC Early Investigators Programme, the information session to assist potential applicants and host institutions is scheduled for Friday, September 13, 2024, 11:00-12:30. The registration form and the meeting link: |
The Aim of the Award
The overarching objective of the SAMRC's Division of RCD is to enhance the long-term sustainability of health research in South Africa by providing funding for the next generation of researchers. The SAMRC has initiated the Early Investigators Programme as a career development intervention to provide funding for promising early-career scientists with leadership potential to become independent researchers.
The purpose of the Early Investigators Programme is to (i) support the career development of South African scientists at the end of their early postdoctoral stage (3-5 years post-PhD), (ii) facilitate their transition to the next level of mid-career scientists, and (iii) foster their retention in the public sector in areas of strategic interest to the National Department of Health (NDoH) and the SAMRC in order to bolster the scientific and academic leadership in the country.
It is expected that funded investigators will be able to strengthen their leadership skills, increase their research outputs and management skills, train and graduate research students, and attract further funding to grow their own research programmes.
The 2024 Request for Applications seeks to attract scientists within the following research priority areas:
- Non-Communicable Diseases;
- Brain, Behaviour, and Mental Health;
- Climate change, environmental health, and occupational health;
- Communicable diseases (e.g. HIV, TB and other infectious diseases);
- Health Systems Strengthening (e.g. Health economics, NHI);
- Maternal and Child Health; Violence and Injury;
- Public Health Innovation (e.g. Genomics and Bioinformatics, Digital Health);
- Vaccines, Diagnostics and Drug Discovery (including African Traditional Medicines).
Research projects that contribute to the mandate of SAMRC and demonstrate potential for public health impact will receive preference.
Value and Period of the Award
The value of the award will be up to R500 000 per year for three years, subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds. Payment of the grant funding will be linked to clear milestones and deliverables and subjected to the terms and conditions of the awards.
Conditions of the Award
The grant will be used for research purposes as per the agreed-upon budget including R200 000 for research expenses and R300 000 towards the awardees' salary. Since the grant is partially used as a salary, a formal letter must be included in the initial application stating the Institution's commitment to (i) appoint the applicant as a researcher, (ii) to fund the running expenses of the applicant's research project, and (iii) to provide infrastructure support for the applicant.
The award must demonstrate an intentional and measurable contribution to the objectives of the programme to facilitate retention in the public sector in areas of strategic interest to both the NDoH and the SAMRC.
Eligibility Criteria
- Only South African citizens and permanent residents may apply.
- Applicants must have a research doctorate in health / medical research with 3 to 5 years of demonstrated postdoctoral research experience or at least one year of post-PhD research experience for clinician-scientists.
- Applicants must be younger than 45 years; applicants over 45 years require a strong motivation from the Institution.
- Applicants must be affiliated with a recognized academic or health research institution for at least the duration of the project or have secured a commitment from the Institution to host the proposed project and provide the necessary financial support to the applicant for the duration of the grant.
- Applicants who are in an academic or research position fully remunerated by their institutions or those who have already demonstrated independence as evidenced by substantial grant income as principal investigators or have already established their research groups (for more than three years) are not eligible.
- The SAMRC Early Investigators Programme award may not be held concurrently with another SAMRC capacity development grant. Any other funding received needs to be declared in the application.
- Full-time employees of the SAMRC Intramural Research Units may not hold the SAMRC Early Investigators award.
Selection Process
- Eligible applications will be subject to a peer-review process; review reports will be assessed by the panel (Grant Selection Committee), who will also score the application against standard objective criteria (evaluation guidelines)
- While black and women early career scientists, as well as applicants based at resource-limited institutions, are encouraged to apply (targeting 65% of the awards), the academic merit and scientific quality of the proposed research must be ranked higher. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to conceive, design, implement and adapt a substantial programme of research with integrity. Applicants must also provide a clear rationale of why the Early Investigators Grant will best support their long-term career goals and chosen career route.
- The research area and expected outputs must be clearly outlined and linked to the SAMRC's strategic research priorities. Research projects that are proposing work on behalf of commercial entities will not be considered.
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 feedback on the peer review and award process will be provided at the end of the award process.
Application Process
Applicants must complete the Online Application and also submit the Application form, Milestone table, Budget form, and reviewers nomination form (four forms in total per application) with supporting documents to RCD Grants Administration at RCDgrants.applications@mrc.ac.za.
The full application includes an application form with a full research proposal and annexures, an applicant motivation letter, a CV with a complete publication list, contact details of two confidential referees, a supporting letter with a written commitment by the hosting Institution to provide the infrastructure and enabling research environment as well as a matching contribution towards the applicant remuneration and running expenses of the research project.
Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA)
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). Should you not approve of such use of your personal information then please refrain from applying.
The completed application and supporting documents must submitted before or on 20 September 2024. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. The outcome of the applications will be released before 15 December 2024.
Enquiries:
Contact Dr Frederic Nduhirabandi by email at frederic.nduhirabandi@mrc.ac.za or +27 21 938 0461.