VerifiedThe Bongani Mayosi National Health Scholars Programme is named after the cardiologist and dean who did more than most to build South African medical research. Run by the National Health Research Committee with the Department of Health, the Public Health Enhancement Fund and the South African Medical Research Council, it aims to train a thousand PhDs in health and clinical research over ten years.
About the Bongani Mayosi Programme
- Funds full-time PhD study in health and clinical research at participating South African universities.
- The scholarship is tax-free and runs for the prescribed duration of the doctorate.
- The value is set at the after-tax take-home pay of the public service professional scale that matches your qualifications, and is fixed for the duration of your studies.
- Priority research areas: communicable and non-communicable diseases, maternal and child health, trauma, mental health and health systems.
Eligibility requirements
- South African citizen or permanent resident.
- Holds a master’s degree.
- Has an approved PhD research proposal in one of the priority areas.
- Registered, or registering, full-time for a PhD at a participating university, with a committed supervisor who has adequate funding and facilities.
How to apply
- Secure a supervisor and get your PhD proposal approved by your university before the call opens.
- Open the call on samrc.ac.za and complete the application on the SAMRC grants management system.
- Submit the full application, no more than ten pages, with your supporting documents and your supervisor’s confirmation, before the deadline.
Closing date
31 May 2026 in the most recent cycle. Expect a similar deadline in the first half of 2027.
Contact details
- SAMRC research capacity development: 021 938 0911
- Website: samrc.ac.za
Health researchers should also apply to the SAMRC internship scholarship, the DSI-NRF postgraduate scholarship and the funders on our nursing bursaries page.
FAQs
1. When does the Bongani Mayosi programme close for 2027? +
The most recent cycle closed on 31 May 2026. The SAMRC advertises the call on its grants pages, usually in the first months of the year, so watch samrc.ac.za from February 2027.
2. What is the Bongani Mayosi National Health Scholars Programme? +
A doctoral scholarship programme named after the late Professor Bongani Mayosi, run by the National Health Research Committee with the National Department of Health, the Public Health Enhancement Fund and the South African Medical Research Council, aiming to train 1 000 PhDs in health and clinical research over ten years.
3. What does it cover? +
A tax-free scholarship for the full prescribed duration of the PhD, set at the after-tax take-home pay of the public service professional scale that matches your qualifications. The amount is fixed for the duration of your studies.
4. Who qualifies? +
South African citizens and permanent residents who hold a master's degree, have an approved PhD research proposal and a committed supervisor with adequate funding and facilities, and are registered full-time for a PhD at one of the participating universities.
5. Which research areas? +
Communicable and non-communicable diseases, maternal and child health, trauma, mental health and health systems research.
6. How do I apply? +
Through the SAMRC grants management system, submitting the online application form and a full application of no more than ten pages with your supporting documents, once your university has confirmed your registration and supervision.
Update note (checked September 2026): the most recent cycle closed on 31 May 2026. The SAMRC advertises the call on its grants pages, usually in the first months of the year, so watch samrc.ac.za from February 2027 and speak to your university’s research office in good time.