South African National Health Research Enterprise: Research in TB, HIV, Other Infectious Diseases and Pandemic Preparedness

For SAMRC-GIPD-01-2026, SAMRC-GIPD-02-2026, and SAMRC-GIPD-03-2026, the RFA will support projects for a maximum duration of three years, with funding of up to R5 million per annum, or a maximum total of R15 million over three years.

For SAMRC-GIPD-04-2026, the RFA will support projects for a maximum duration of three years, with funding of up to R2 million per annum, or a maximum total of R6 million over three years.

The above are the upper limits and budgets may be substantially less than these. Please ensure that budgets are realistic, reasonable, appropriate for the proposed research and include only allowable costs and overhead.

Yes. Applicants who are currently grant holders of another SAMRC grant may apply. This is a separate funding call, and holding another SAMRC grant does not, in itself, preclude an applicant from applying.

Applicants must, however, ensure that they meet all other eligibility requirements and that there is no duplication of funding for the same activities or costs.

Early-career researchers and postdoctoral scientists with at least 5 years post-PhD research experience and mid-career researchers may apply, provided that they meet all other eligibility requirements specified in the relevant RFA and have a PhD or medical degree. However, it is important to note that the experience and expertise of the PI and co-investigators are scored as part of the review criteria.

Yes. A PI may submit an application to more than one of the current RFAs (but only one application per RFA) as PI. However, due to the limited availability of funding across the NHRE Program, if successful, only one application per PI will be funded across the RFAs. SAMRC reserves the right to decide which project is funded if multiple applications are considered for funding.

Each application must independently meet the relevant eligibility and scientific requirements of the respective RFA.

Principal Investigator (PI)

The PI is the lead investigator based at an eligible South African institution who has conceptualized and will lead the project. The PI must be a South African citizen or permanent resident.

Co-Applicants / Co-Investigators

Co-Applicants or Co-Investigators must be South African (citizen or permanent resident) researchers based at eligible South African institutions and/or eligible local collaborating organisations, as specified below, and may be included in the project budget.

International researchers may not be included as Co-Applicants or Co-Investigators under this RFA. The NHRE programme is intended to support research conducted by South African researchers in South Africa.

International researchers may participate as collaborators, but they must fund their own activities in the project and may not receive funding from the grant.

Collaborators

Collaborators can be local or international that contribute scientific expertise, technical input, materials, specialised knowledge, or other relevant contributions to the project. Collaborators are expected to cover their own expenses and may provide in-kind contributions. They may not receive funding from the SAMRC grant.

However, South African Non-governmental organisations (NGOs), non-profit organisation / company (NPO / NPC), civil societies organisations and private companies may be included in the budget if their participation is well motivated and essential to execution of the project and if they provide a capability that is not available among the project partners or other eligible South African public institutions.

Subcontractors

Subcontractors may be local or international organisations that provide a specific service or capability that is not available among the project partners or other eligible South African public institutions, but which is essential for the successful completion of the project deliverables.

A subcontractor is engaged to provide a defined service or goods rather than to participate as a member of the research team. A detailed budget for sub-contracted services may be requested for successful projects.

No. International travel costs, including attendance at international conferences, are not allowable for these NHRE RFAs.

Local travel and accommodation may be considered where they are directly related to the execution of the approved project activities and are essential to the completion of the project deliverables.

Any such costs must be clearly justified in the application and must comply with the applicable SAMRC funding and budget requirements.

Limited funding for postgraduate student bursaries (MSc and PhD) and postdoctoral fellowships may be considered where the positions are directly related to the approved project activities and are necessary for the successful implementation of the project.

Such costs must be adequately justified and aligned with the objectives, methodology, activities, and deliverables of the proposed project.

The purchase of new equipment is not allowable under this RFA.