Organisation Name:
South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC)
Application Deadline:
16 October 2026
About Organisation
The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) is a national research organisation dedicated to improving health and quality of life through research, innovation and technology transfer. SAMRC supports health and medical research across South Africa and works with academic institutions, researchers and other partners to address major public health challenges. The organisation administers the National Health Research Enterprise (NHRE), an initiative designed to strengthen South Africa’s health research ecosystem and retain high-calibre researchers and research infrastructure. Through this Health Systems Research call, SAMRC supports research addressing priority needs in healthcare systems, evidence-based policy, health service delivery, equity, implementation and measurable public health impact across South Africa.
About the Grant
The SAMRC Health Systems Research Grant supports research addressing priority needs within South Africa’s health system. Funded through the National Health Research Enterprise, the opportunity seeks projects capable of generating evidence that can improve healthcare delivery, policy, financing, governance, workforce development, equity and implementation. Eligible research may address HIV, tuberculosis, infectious diseases, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, cancer, mental health, women’s health, maternal health, neonatal health and child health. Projects should demonstrate scientific merit, feasibility and a credible pathway toward policy uptake, implementation, scalability and measurable health impact. Successful applicants can receive up to R2 million annually, with maximum funding of R6 million over three years.
Who can Apply?
The opportunity is open to eligible researchers employed by recognised South African research institutions whose primary purpose includes research and postgraduate training. Eligible host institutions include South African public universities, public research entities, science councils, national facilities and other recognised research institutions. The Principal Investigator must be a South African citizen or permanent resident and employed by an eligible institution. NGOs, nonprofit organisations and private companies whose primary purpose is not research and postgraduate training cannot apply as lead applicants, although they may participate as collaborators where permitted. International organisations and researchers may also collaborate where allowed. Applicants must demonstrate appropriate research capacity, institutional support, scientific expertise and implementation potential.
How to Apply?
Applicants should confirm their eligibility and select a priority health area aligned with the call. Define a specific health systems gap and develop a strong research question, methodology, implementation plan and impact pathway. Prepare the required CVs, detailed proposal and budget using SAMRC templates. Complete the online application and upload all supporting documents before the deadline. Emailed applications are not accepted. Applicants should follow the official SAMRC application instructions carefully.
Application Deadline
The application deadline is 16 October 2026
Last Date To Apply
For more information, please visit the grant website here.
