The Bongani Mayosi National Health Scholars Programme (BM-NHSP) has opened its 2025/2026 Bursary opprotunity and is inviting all PHD students and all interested applicants to apply.

The Bongani Mayosi National Health Scholars Programme (BM-NHSP) is an initiative by the National Health Research Committee (NHRC) which aims to fund the train 1000 PhDs students over the next decade, in the health and clinical research. 

Below are the requirements to consider before you apply:

ENDING DATE: This bursary will end on 15 November 2025/2026.

LOCATION: South Africa

BURSARY REQUIREMENTS:

Below are the requirements to consider when applying for this bursary program:

• You must be a South African citizen OR a South African permanent resident
• You must have completed a MBChB or a Master’s degree qualification
• You must intend on pursuing PhD studies, at any recognised university in South Africa, in 2025/2026
• You must have a fully developed research proposal for PhD study, that has been accepted by your University
• You must be currently registered at the university where your degree will be awarded
• Your research project must be in line with the priority research areas and fields listed above
• You must have written commitment of participation, from an experienced research supervisor at your University, who is willing to train you until your degree is complete
• You must have the following available to conduct the PhD research project: research funding, infrastructure and environment
• You must NOT receive any funding through another RCD scholarship programme
• You must read and agree to all of the scholarship conditions, on the application form below
• Preference will be given to candidates from designated groups, Universities, and or under researched priority research niches

BURSARY COVERAGE:

This funding opportunity targets health professionals in the following areas: Biomedical Engineers, Dentists and other Oral Health specialists, Dieticians, Medical Scientists, Occupational Therapists, Optometrists and Opticians, Pharmacists, Physiotherapists, Psychologists, Professional Nurses, Speech therapists and Audiologists, who are in the 1st year of PhD study, specialising in these research fields:

• Biostatistics
• Data Science
• Digital Health
• Demography
• Epidemiology
• Health Economics
• Genomics/ Bioinformatics
• Microbiology/ Virology and Immunology

METHOD OF APPLICATION

Here are the steps to follow in other to apply:

1) Complete the online application: Bongani Mayosi National Health Scholars Programme (BM-NHSP) Application

2) Download and complete the Bongani Mayosi National Health Scholars Programme (BM-NHSP) Application (.pdf)
 

3) Submit clear copies of the following supporting documents, via email to: Lindokuhle.Ndlandla@mrc.ac.za
(Insert the words “BM-NHSP Application 2025/2026” in the email subject line).

Please consider adding below documents when applying:

• Completed Application form
• South African ID document (certified by a Commissioner of Oath)
• Motivational letter demonstrating your suitability for the programme and how receiving the award will positively impact your career (1 page)
• Abridged Curriculum Vitae with a full list of research outputs within the last 5 years, as well as other meritorious achievements
• Official letter stating first date of registration for the degree to be funded
• Proof of ethics clearance
• Support letter outlining availability of research funding or running cost
• Abstract of the PhD proposal, aligned with the priority research areas, outlining the following: rationale, design, feasibility, plans for research translation, information dissemination and potential impact of the proposed research project (2 pages)
• Official letter of approval of your research proposal
• Letter from host institution detailing your career plan after completing the PhD (1 page)
• Supervisor’s abridged track record with publications, grants and experience in research supervision of PhD students, and signed commitment form (3 pages)
• Most recent payslip (not older than 3 months)