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 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 Early Investigators Programme is an 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.

The Aim of the Award

The SAMRC 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 SAMRC Early Investigators Programme is a research capacity development initiative aimed at supporting promising early-career scientists—typically 3–5 years post-PhD or 1–5 years post-PhD for clinician scientists—to transition into independent researchers and mid-career scientists. As a strategic career development intervention, the programme seeks to nurture future health research leaders by helping them establish their own research teams, strengthen leadership and research management skills, increase research outputs, train and graduate students, and secure additional funding. It also aims to retain these scientists in the public sector, particularly in areas of strategic importance to the NDoH and the SAMRC, thereby contributing to the country's scientific and academic leadership.

The 2026 Request for Applications seeks to attract scientists within the following SAMRC research priority areas:

• Infectious diseases;
• Non-communicable diseases;
• Maternal, child and adolescent health;
• Health Systems and policy research;
• Digital health and artificial intelligence;
• Climate change and health;
• Genomics;
• Antimicrobial resistance;
• Pandemic preparedness.

Research projects that contribute to the mandate of the 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) fund the running expenses of the applicant's research project, and (iii) 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 recognised 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. All other funding received must 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.

Application Process

Applicants must first complete the short Online Application Registration form and then upload the completed (i) Application form, (ii) Milestone table, (iii) Budget form, and (iv) Reviewer nomination form and other supporting documents (annexures).

The complete submission must include an application form with a full research proposal and all required annexures, including, among others: an applicant motivation letter;  a full CV of the Principal Investigator with a complete publication list and the contact details of two confidential referees; a full CV of the Co-Principal Investigator listing their 10 most-cited journal articles; a CV or brief bio-sketch (two-page NIH format) of a senior research staff member or collaborator, where applicable; a certified copy of the applicant’s ID; a letter of support from the DVC Research or equivalent; and an institutional commitment letter (by Research Office or other relevant office) confirming the hosting institution’s written commitment to provide the required infrastructure, and enabling research environment as well as a  matching contribution towards the applicant’s remuneration and the running expenses of the research project.

The completed application and supporting documents must be submitted online and emailed to RCDgrants.applications@mrc.ac.za before or on 09 October 2026. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

The outcome of successful applications will be released before 30 April 2027.

Enquiries:

Contact Dr Frederic Nduhirabandi by email at frederic.nduhirabandi@mrc.ac.za or +27 21 938 0461.

Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA)
Please note that by submitting your 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 all personal information contained in the application forms and supporting documents for the purposes of evaluating the applications, selecting beneficiaries, and executing the awards in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), Act No 4 of 2013 (as amended). You can read the full details on the act here: https://popia.co.za/.

The SAMRC as a responsible statutory science council will comply with POPIA. The SAMRC will receive personal information through applications submitted to the SAMRC for the purposes of applying for funding. The personal information requested on the application template is necessary for the SAMRC to fully evaluate the applications for funding. This information will be shared with members of the Selection Committees of the SAMRC and external funders and/or stakeholders where applicable as well as the SAMRC management for the purposes of processing the applications. The SAMRC will process this personal information strictly in accordance with POPIA. The SAMRC undertakes specifically to process the personal information on the basis that (a) it was provided voluntarily and (b) the information will be processed only as far may be necessary and within the limitation and ambit of the purpose of evaluating the application for funding (i.e., the purpose with which the personal information was received). The SAMRC confirms that it is lawfully processing the information since the purpose of processing is to seek quality research proposals for funding which the SAMRC is mandated to do in terms of Section 4 of the SAMRC Act 58 of 1991, thus the SAMRC is fulfilling its legislated and lawful mandate, and strategic objectives as provided for in the SAMRC Act. Should you not approve the use of your personal information as outlined above, then please refrain from applying.