South African Medical Research Council

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The South African Medical Research Council recognises the catastrophic and persisting consequences of colonialism and apartheid, including land dispossession and the intentional imposition of educational and health inequities.

Acknowledging the SAMRC’s historical role in, and silence on, health and research inequalities during apartheid, the organisation commits its capacities and resources to continued promotion of equity and dignity in health and health care.
STEAM-3D: A New Era of Data-Driven Public Health Decision Making in Africa

The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) has been awarded a Global Health EDCTP3 Grant for the Sustainable Training in Epidemiological Analysis and Modelling for Data-Driven Decision Making in Africa (STEAM-3D) project. The SAMRC has partnered with U

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New study highlights major gaps in data needed for suicide prevention in Africa

New research from the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) and the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Cape Town (UCT) highlights the urgent need for better suicide surveillance across Africa, warning that without reliable data, the contine

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South Africa Charts a Path Towards a Stronger Clinical Trials Ecosystem – SAMRC and WHO convene national dialogue on ethics, regulation, capacity and impact

Cape Town - South Africa's position as a leading clinical research destination in Africa took centre stage as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) convened a National Dialogue on Strengthening the Clinical

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SAMRC President and CEO honoured with honorary doctorate by the University of Glasgow

The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) President and Chief Executive Officer, Professor Ntobeko Ntusi, has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Medical Sciences by the University of Glasgow in Scotland, one of the world's oldest and most prestigio

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SAMRC Executive Scientist receives prestigious NSTF-South32 Lifetime Award

The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) proudly congratulates Professor Rachel Jewkes, Executive Scientist at the SAMRC and Honorary Professor in the School of Public Health at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), on receiving the 2025/2026 N

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SAMRC and Ospedale San Raffaele Launch Phase I Trial of Long-Acting HIV Prevention Antibody

Phase I adult study will assess the safety and pharmacokinetics of long-acting prevention antibody (ePGT121v1-LS) to support future studies aimed at preventing HIV transmission in children The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), in partnership w

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SAMRC Vice-President appointed as Nelson Mandela University Medical School's first Honorary Professor

Nelson Mandela University is honoured to announce the appointment of Professor Liesl Zühlke as the Honorary Professor linked to the medical school. Prof Zühlke, a paediatric cardiologist, is the Vice-President: Extramural Research and Internal Portfolio at t

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

Nomination Deadline - 21 September 2026

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.

About us

Who we are

The SAMRC was established in 1969 and is dedicated to improving the health of people in South Africa, through research, innovation, development, and technology transfer. The scope of research includes laboratory investigations, clinical research, and public health studies.

We conduct research on South Africa’s quadruple burden of disease: maternal, newborn and child health, HIV/AIDS and TB, non-communicable diseases, and interpersonal violence. Our work is to acquire evidence-based information to inform health policy and practice and improve the quality and health status of people in South Africa.

Vision

Building a healthy nation through research, innovation and transformation

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

August 5, 2026 STEAM-3D: A New Era of Data-Driven Public Health Decision Making in Africa

The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) has been awarded a Global Health EDCTP3 Grant for the Sustainable Training in E…

July 24, 2026 New study highlights major gaps in data needed for suicide prevention in Africa

New research from the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) and the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Cape To…

July 22, 2026 South Africa Charts a Path Towards a Stronger Clinical Trials Ecosystem – SAMRC and WHO convene national dialogue on ethics, regulation, capacity and impact

Cape Town - South Africa's position as a leading clinical research destination in Africa took centre stage as the World Health Org…

Request for Applications

SAMRC Early Investigators Programme

Closing date: Friday, October 9, 2026 - 23:59

The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC)'s Division of Research Capacity Development (RCD)…