SA Medical Research Council

SA Medical Research Council The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) was established in 1969 with a mandate to improve

Our vision: Building a healthy nation through research, innovation and transformation

Our mission: To advance the nation’s health and quality of life and address inequity by conducting and funding relevant and responsive health research, capacity development, innovation and research translation

If you look for jobs at the SAMRC click here: https://samrc.breezy.hr/

World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion will gather the world’s safety leaders in South Africa to tur...
27/08/2026

World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion will gather the world’s safety leaders in South Africa to turn evidence into action. Researchers and safety experts from more than 80 countries and 481 organisations will converge at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) from 1–4 September 2026 for the 16th World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion (Safety 2026). Under the theme “Ubuntu: United for a Safer Future,” the conference will unite policymakers, researchers, practitioners, civil society, communities and people with lived experience to share evidence, debate strategies, and shape a Global Declaration and the Safety 2026 National Consensus Plan. The free Global Village will also give members of the public a unique opportunity to engage directly with the conference delegates and help shape the future of the national and global safety response.
https://www.samrc.ac.za/press-releases/world-conference-injury-prevention-and-safety-promotion-will-gather-worlds-safety

The Centre for Advanced Training and Innovative Research (CATIR) continues to deliver on its mission of strengthening sc...
26/08/2026

The Centre for Advanced Training and Innovative Research (CATIR) continues to deliver on its mission of strengthening scientific skills and capacity.

Today, CATIR welcomed 20 students from the University Of Zululand to a comprehensive five-week, hands-on training programme covering genomic expression tools and molecular biology fundamentals.

CATIR is a powerful example of public-private partnership in action. The initiative brings together the South African Medical Research Council, Thermo Fisher Scientific and the Department of Science,Technology and Innovation SA to bridge the gap between academic theory and practical application.

Through this training, students are gaining practical skills and experience that will help prepare them to contribute to research, innovation and healthcare advancements that respond to local needs. Investing in scientific skills today means building the research and innovation capacity needed to solve tomorrow’s challenges.

Last week, GARDP and the African Medical Research Council brought together experts in Cape Town to help ensure that Sou...
25/08/2026

Last week, GARDP and the African Medical Research Council brought together experts in Cape Town to help ensure that South African and broader African priorities are reflected in GARDP's Strategic Plan 2027-2031.

Part of a global series of GARDP stakeholder consultations, the discussion focused on developing and improving access to much-needed antibiotic treatments in the region.

As a strategic partner and one of GARDP's longstanding funders, the African Medical Research Council has played an important role in supporting efforts to respond to drug-resistant infections. Following the stakeholder consultation, SAMRC and GARDP colleagues met to reflect on nearly a decade of collaboration and explore future opportunities, including pivotal work on evaluating much-needed antibiotic treatments for neonatal sepsis.

We extend our sincere thanks to African Medical Research Council, Prof Ntusi and are grateful to the researchers, clinicians, policymakers and partners who shared their expertise and perspectives for this rich and engaging discussion.





Michelle Mulder, Schellack, Jeremy Nel, Heather Finlayson, Vindana Chibabhai, Adrian Brink, Neetha Morar, Ruffell, Osih, Justin Green, Kathelene Weiss, Glaudina Loots, Zoleka Ngcete

The nominations for the 13th SAMRC Scientific Merit Awards are now open!This is an opportunity to recognise the exceptio...
21/08/2026

The nominations for the 13th SAMRC Scientific Merit Awards are now open!

This is an opportunity to recognise the exceptional scientific minds whose research is pushing boundaries, challenging conventional thinking and finding innovative solutions to some of our country’s most pressing public health challenges.

We are looking for individual researchers whose groundbreaking work demonstrates innovation, novel approaches and the potential to influence policy and improve the lives of South Africans.

Know a researcher whose work deserves to be recognised? Nominate them for the 13th SAMRC Scientific Merit Awards because great science deserves to be celebrated and the people behind it deserve to be recognised.
https://www.samrc.ac.za/about-us/samrc-scientific-merit-awards

Strengthening PMB Definition Guidelines Through Evidence-Informed Decision-Making: SAMRC–CMS CollaborationThe SAMRC was ...
20/08/2026

Strengthening PMB Definition Guidelines Through Evidence-Informed Decision-Making: SAMRC–CMS Collaboration

The SAMRC was pleased to host the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) on 17–18 August 2026 for a two-day workshop focused on strengthening Prescribed Minimum Benefit (PMB) Definition Guidelines through evidence-informed decision-making. The SAMRC–CMS collaboration brought together regulatory, policy and methodological expertise to support transparent, credible and context-sensitive PMB decisions. Presentations from Health Technology Assessment international (HTAi) contributed perspectives on affordability frameworks and resource considerations, while the National Department of Health shared lessons from the Standard Treatment Guidelines and Essential Medicines List processes.

Through practical engagement with GRADE, GRADE-ADOLOPMENT, evidence appraisal and Evidence-to-Decision approaches, participants explored how the best available evidence can be translated into recommendations that also consider equity, affordability, feasibility and South Africa’s health-system realities. The workshop highlighted the value of strengthening the link between evidence, policy and implementation through continued SAMRC–CMS collaboration.

Request for Applications (RFA): SAMRC Early Investigators Programme.The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC)'s...
14/08/2026

Request for Applications (RFA): 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.

RFA deadline: 09 October 2026
View the full RFA details - https://www.samrc.ac.za/funding/samrc-early-investigators-programme-0

South Africa’s contribution to research and treatment strategies as well its collaborative efforts on the global stage a...
13/08/2026

South Africa’s contribution to research and treatment strategies as well its collaborative efforts on the global stage are well-noted.

However, the 2025 South African Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Indicators Report states that for the 2022/2023 year, research and development (R&D) expenditure as a percentage of GDP stood at 0.61, with the minister of the department having reportedly set a target of 1.5% of GDP to be spent on R&D by 2030.

In an interview with SAMRC President and CEO, Professor Ntobeko Ntusi, he explained to Forbes Africa that there are several ways that the country can move from reactive to proactive processes in healthcare.

More on this: https://www.forbesafrica.com/current-affairs/2026/08/12/building-a-knowledge-economy-and-optimizing-resources-in-south-africas-health-sector

Request for Applications (RFA): South African National Health Research Enterprise: Health Systems ResearchRFA reference ...
12/08/2026

Request for Applications (RFA): South African National Health Research Enterprise: Health Systems Research
RFA reference : SAMRC-RFA-GIPD-04-2026
RFA Release date: 12 Aug 2026

The National Health Research Enterprise (NHRE) Programme is an initiative of the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) to fill a gap left by the substantial reduction in international funding available to the South African health research ecosystem. The NHRE is supported by funding from the SAMRC, National Treasury, through the National Department of Health, Gates Foundation and Wellcome Trust. It is founded on a shared commitment to retaining the research infrastructure and high-calibre cadre of clinicians and scientists who have led pioneering research and innovation that has been impactful, not just for South Africa, but for the whole world.

The SAMRC is pleased to launch this RFA to support the NHRE addressing priority needs in Health Systems Research.
RFA deadline is 16 October 2026.
https://www.samrc.ac.za/funding/south-african-national-health-research-enterprise-health-systems-research

Request for Applications (RFA): South African National Health Research Enterprise: Research in Women, Maternal, Neonatal...
12/08/2026

Request for Applications (RFA): South African National Health Research Enterprise: Research in Women, Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health
RFA reference: SAMRC-RFA-GIPD-03-2026
RFA Release date: 11 August 2026

The National Health Research Enterprise (NHRE) Programme is an initiative of the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) to fill a gap left by the substantial reduction in international funding available to the South African health research ecosystem. The NHRE is supported by funding from the SAMRC, National Treasury, through the National Department of Health, Gates Foundation and Wellcome Trust. It is founded on a shared commitment to retaining the research infrastructure and high-calibre cadre of clinicians and scientists who have led pioneering research and innovation that has been impactful, not just for South Africa, but for the whole world.

The SAMRC is pleased to launch this RFA to support the NHRE addressing priority needs in women, maternal, neonatal and child health.
RFA deadline is 16 October 2026.
https://www.samrc.ac.za/funding/south-african-national-health-research-enterprise-research-women-maternal-neonatal-and

1st Notice: Clarification on eligibility - SAMRC-RFA-GIPD-01-2026 South African National Health Research Enterprise: Res...
11/08/2026

1st Notice: Clarification on eligibility - SAMRC-RFA-GIPD-01-2026
South African National Health Research Enterprise: Research in TB, HIV, Other Infectious Diseases and Pandemic Preparedness

RFA Release date: 31 July 2026; 7 August 2026 (1st notice update)
RFA deadline is 11 October 2026.

The SAMRC has published an update on the RFA. All potential applicants are encouraged to review the update here: https://www.samrc.ac.za/funding/south-african-national-health-research-enterprise-research-tb-hiv-other-infectious-diseases

Address

Francie Van Zijl Drive, Parow Valley
Cape Town
7500

Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 - 16:30
Tuesday 08:00 - 16:30
Wednesday 08:00 - 16:30
Thursday 08:00 - 16:30
Friday 08:00 - 16:30

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when SA Medical Research Council posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to SA Medical Research Council:

Shortcuts

Share

Category