SAMRC Scholarships: Requirements, Benefits & How to Apply

SAMRC scholarships fund master's and PhD research in health and medical science at South African universities. The South African Medical Research Council offers several streams, each with its own rules and value. Together they range from clinician training to vaccinology and biostatistics.

The SAMRC page does not show closing dates or say whether a call is open today. Therefore, treat this page as a guide to the available streams, and check the SAMRC funding calendar before you start an application.

• Clinician researcher, full-time PhD (MBChB or BChD): R600,000 a year for tuition and stipend
• Clinician researcher, part-time PhD: up to R300,000 a year for tuition, research costs and protected time
• Clinician researcher, full-time PhD (intercalated MBChB-PhD or BNurs): R250,000 a year
• Research associate: at least R250,000 a year for a PhD and R200,000 for a master's
• Vaccinology: R250,000 a year for a PhD and R200,000 for a master's, plus research costs up to a set maximum
• Researcher Development Award: up to R250,000 as a once-off award
• Biostatistics: R250,000 a year for a PhD and R200,000 for a master's

Compare the streams before you apply, because each one has different rules on full-time study, supervision and employment.

All the streams require study at a South African university. SAMRC also says PhD candidates cannot apply without registration at a South African university, so sort out your registration early. The associate programme adds a further condition, because a SAMRC investigator must supervise or co-supervise you.

Speak to your university's postgraduate office before you apply. It can tell you about internal deadlines and required sign-offs.