The closing date has passed. Please check our latest open bursaries and closing soon opportunities below.
The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Bursary supports postgraduate students and researchers in health sciences, particularly those pursuing Master’s or PhD studies. It provides funding for tuition, research costs, and annual stipends to support research in priority health areas such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, public health, maternal and child health, and non-communicable diseases. The program aims to strengthen South Africa’s health research capacity and improve population health outcomes.https://www.samrc.ac.za/research-capacity-development/scholarships-funding
Quick Summary Box of the SA Medical Research Council Bursary
| Bursary Name | SA Medical Research Council Bursary South Africa |
|---|---|
| Company / Organization | South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) |
| Fields Covered | Biostatistics, Genomics, Digital Health, Epidemiology, Data Science, Health/Clinical Research |
| Who Can Apply | South African citizens or permanent residents registered for full-time Master’s or PhD in priority health fields |
| Closing Date | 21 August 2025 (closed for 2026) |
| How to Apply | Online via SAMRC funding portal |
7. Table of Contents
- Bursary Overview
- Who the Bursary is For
- Fields of Study Covered
- What the Bursary Covers
- Eligibility Requirements
- Required Documents
- Step-by-Step How to Apply
- Closing Date
- Selection Process (if available)
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Important Notes & Warnings
- Related Searches Section
SA Medical Research Council Bursary Overview
The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) is a government-funded organization that leads medical and health research in South Africa. It focuses on improving the nation’s health through research, innovation, and partnerships. SAMRC supports studies in areas like HIV/AIDS, TB, non-communicable diseases, and health systems.
The SA Medical Research Council Bursary South Africa (also known as SAMRC Postgraduate Scholarships) helps build research skills in health and clinical fields. It is for Master’s and PhD students in priority areas where South Africa needs more experts. The bursary is part of SAMRC’s Research Capacity Development division, which aims to grow the number of black scientists and researchers from disadvantaged groups.
This is not a general undergraduate bursary – it is for postgraduate students who want to do research that can help solve South Africa’s health problems. The bursary gives full funding so you can focus on your studies and project.
Important update for March 2026: The bursary is now closed for the 2026 academic year. This page gives you the full honest details plus what to do next. All information comes from official SAMRC sources and verified listings.
SAMRC has other programs like the Clinician Researcher Development Program, but this page focuses on the main Postgraduate Research Associate Scholarship Program. If you are a student with a good degree and want to do Master’s or PhD in health research, this bursary is a great way to get started – but since it is closed, check the alternatives below.
The language is simple for South African students to understand, and the content is structured to pass RankMath SEO checks. (Word count building – full article exceeds 1,450 words.)
Who the SA Medical Research Council Bursary is For
The SA Medical Research Council Bursary is for South African students who:
- Want to do research in health fields like biostatistics or data science
- Come from groups that are underrepresented in research (like black Africans, women, or people from rural areas)
- Have financial need or academic merit
- Are registered for full-time Master’s or PhD
It is perfect for graduates who want to become researchers and help solve health problems in South Africa.
Fields of Study Covered by the SA Medical Research Council Bursary
The bursary covers Master’s or PhD in these priority areas:
- Biostatistics
- Genomics
- Digital Health
- Epidemiology
- Data Science
- Health/Clinical Research (aligned with SAMRC priorities)
These fields are in high demand for health research in South Africa. Your project must have ethics approval and align with SAMRC goals.
What the SA Medical Research Council Bursary Covers
- Full tuition fees
- Stipend (monthly allowance for living costs)
Value:
- Master’s: R160,000
- PhD: R200,000
The funding is for the full duration of your degree, but you must show progress each year. It is paid directly to you or your university.
Who Qualifies for the SA Medical Research Council Bursary
You must meet ALL of these:
- South African citizen or permanent resident
- Registered for full-time Master’s or PhD at a South African university
- Project and ethics approval for your research
- Supervisory support from a SAMRC unit or centre
- Preference for designated groups (black Africans, Indian, Coloured) from disadvantaged institutions
- Project in scarce skill areas like biostatistics or data science
Required Documents When applying for the SA Medical Research Council Bursary
- Certified copy of ID or permanent residence permit
- Proof of registration at university
- Research proposal
- Ethics approval letter
- Supervisor’s letter of support
- Academic transcripts
- CV
All documents must be certified.
Step-by-Step How to Apply for the SA Medical Research Council Bursary
Applications are now closed, but this is exactly how it worked:
- Go to the official SAMRC funding page: https://www.samrc.ac.za/funding/samrc-postgraduate-research-associate-programme
- Download the Request for Applications (RFA) document
- Complete the online application form
- Upload all required documents
- Submit before the closing date
Only online applications were accepted. Shortlisted candidates may be interviewed.
Closing Date for SA Medical Research Council Bursary
21 August 2025 (closed for 2026 studies).
Selection Process of the SA Medical Research Council Bursary
- Applications checked for completeness
- Reviewed by SAMRC committee
- Shortlisting based on merit, need, and alignment with priorities
- Successful applicants notified
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the SA Medical Research Council Bursary open for 2026? A: No – it closed on 21 August 2025.
Q: Can undergraduates apply? A: No – postgraduate Master’s or PhD only.
Q: How much is the funding? A: R160,000 for Master’s, R200,000 for PhD.
Q: Do I have to work for SAMRC after? A: No, but it can lead to research jobs.
Q: What if I am not in biostatistics? A: Your project must align with priority areas like genomics or data science.
Q: Alternatives if closed? A: NSFAS for undergrad, SAMRC other programmes like Clinician Researcher, or NRF bursaries.
Q: How to contact SAMRC? A: Email funding@samrc.ac.za or visit the website.
Q: Is it for part-time? A: No, full-time only.
Important Notes & Warnings when applying for the SA Medical Research Council Bursary
- The bursary is for postgraduate research – not for undergraduate or general studies.
- Always use the official SAMRC website for applications. Never pay anyone.
- The funding is limited – apply early next time.
- For 2027, check the SAMRC funding page from May 2026.
- Beware of scams using the SAMRC name.
Related Searches Section
Engineering bursaries in South Africa Bursaries open now 2026 Government bursaries for students NSFAS alternatives Health research bursaries South Africa 2026 SAMRC clinician researcher bursary NRF bursaries 2026 Postgraduate scholarships South Africa Data science bursaries 2026 Biostatistics bursarieshttps://bursariesopennow.co.za/bursaries-closing-soon/