SAMRC Mid-Career Scientist Programme

The South African Medical Research Council’s (SAMRC) Division of Research Capacity Development (RCD) is pleased to request applications from mid-career scientists in health/medical research. The SAMRC Mid-Career scientist Programme is an excellent opportunity for South African academic institutions to support future health research leaders  to grow their own research teams and make the transition to independent researchers.

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 established the Mid-Career scientist Programme to fast-track and transition mid-career scientists to independent researchers who will become equipped to write their own grants and thereby secure their salary and research support. The Mid-Career scientist Programme invests in promising mid-career scientists to facilitate their retention in the public sector in areas of strategic interest to the National Department of Health (NDoH) and the SAMRC.

It is expected that funded investigators will be able to strengthen their leadership skills, increase their research outputs and management skills, train and graduate postgraduate students, and attract further funding to grow their own research programmes. The application must demonstrate that growth in the stature of the funded principal investigator cannot be achieved without the Mid-Career scientist Programme grant.

The 2025 Request for Applications seeks to attract scientists within the following research priority areas:

• Non-Communicable Diseases
• Brain, Behaviour, and Mental Health
• Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
• 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)
• Behavioural science in relation to the uptake and use of health interventions
• Climate change, environmental health, and occupational health

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

This funding amounts to a maximum of R1,250,000 p.a. in the first year of funding and a maximum not exceeding R1,500,000 in the second year of funding. This funding is renewable for a further three years at R1,500,000 p.a. on condition of satisfactory progress and availability of funds.

Conditions of the Award

The Grant cannot be used for any other purposes without written approval from the SAMRC. Funding for this initiative in the first year is structured as follows:

• R1,000,000 is towards the salary budget of the beneficiary and/or sub specialists on the project.
• Research costs will be funded up to R250,000

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.  

Since the grant is partially used as a salary, for those who are currently not affiliated with research institutions, a formal institutional commitment letter signed by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research or the equivalent, must be included in the initial application stating the Institution's commitment to (i) appoint the applicant as a senior researcher, (ii) to fund the running expenses of the applicant's research project where applicable, and (iii) to provide infrastructure support for the applicant.

Payment of the grant funding will be linked to clear milestones and deliverables and subjected to the terms and conditions of the awards.

Eligibility criteria

• Only South African citizens and permanent residents may apply.
• Applicants must have a research doctorate in health / medical research with at least 5 years of demonstrated independence, as evidenced by substantial grants as principal investigators with established research teams, but are not yet international leaders.
• Applicants must be younger than 50 years; applicants over 50 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 research and provide the necessary support with potential retention of  the applicant.
• Applicants who have already demonstrated independence as evidenced by substantial grant income as principal investigators or have already established their research groups, for more than 10 years, are not eligible.
• The SAMRC Mid-Career scientist 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 Mid -Career scientists Programme award.

Selection process

• Eligible applications will be subject to a peer-review process; and review reports will be assessed by a panel comprising the Grants Selection Committee members who score the application against standard objective criteria and recommend fundability. Interviews with prospective awardees may be requested. The selection outcomes are submitted to the SAMRC’s Executive Management Committee for review and an approval decision.
• Preference will be given to suitably qualified candidates from the designated groups.  Academic record/potential of the applicant must be ranked highest. Applications from historically disadvantaged institutions/under-resourced institutions may be prioritized.
• The research area and expected outputs must be 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 complete the REDCap Online application with Milestone table, Budget form, Reviewers’ nomination form, and with supporting documents uploaded onto the online application form.

The full application includes an application form with a full research proposal and two confidential referees' contact details. Supporting documents include the applicant's curriculum vitae, complete publication list and citations, and motivation letter for the proposed research project/programme; as well as an institutional supporting letter with a written commitment from the hosting Institution to provide the infrastructure and contribution towards the applicant's remuneration and running expenses of the research project.

Closing date

The completed online application and supporting documents must be submitted before or on 20 January 2026. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Outcome

The outcome of the application will be released by 30 April 2026.

Enquiries

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

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.

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.