General Summary
Call for Applications
Funded Scholarship Opportunities in Infectious Disease Research
The Research Capacity Building Unit at the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI), Makerere University, invites applications for funded training scholarships in Infectious disease research for academic year 2025/2026 through the O.R. TAMBO AFRICA RESEARCH CHAIR INITIATIVE.
Program Goal
The program aims to train and retain a new generation of African physician-scientists who will contribute to human and institutional capacity development in prevention, treatment, and research of infectious diseases. It targets highly motivated individuals committed to advancing careers in Infectious Diseases.
Background
Among a myriad of different causes of morbidity, infectious and neglected tropical diseases remain a leading cause of death in Africa. Infections such as meningitis, encephalitis, and meningoencephalitis account for a large portion of neurological disease burden especially among immunocompromised individuals, including those living with HIV/AIDS.
In Sub-Saharan Africa:
- Cryptococcal meningitis causes 15–19% of AIDS-related deaths.
- TB meningitis is the deadliest form of TB.
- CNS infections account for 12% of medical admissions in Uganda's national referral hospital, yet most etiologies remain undiagnosed.
Despite the magnitude of this problem, infections remain under-researched and under-diagnosed, leading to delayed treatment and preventable deaths.
Program Overview
This training program is a collaboration between Makerere University, Mbarara University of Science & Technology (MUST), University of Minnesota (USA) and Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA). The program envisages multidisciplinary research training in Immunology, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Pharmacology and Quality Improvement. Trainees will conduct research using existing infectious disease research platforms or other infectious diseases, under expert mentorship.
Additionally, the program aims to establish an Infectious Disease Fellowship within the Department of Medicine at Makerere University, in partnership with the East, Central & Southern Africa College of Physicians. This will contribute to building a local and regional workforce of infectious disease specialists.
Benefits for Successful Candidates
- Supported training and mentorship for 3 years during the PhD program
- Research funding (equipment, materials, supplies, and data collection)
- Access to research and career development workshops
- Support to publish manuscripts and present at scientific meetings
- Opportunities to attend international conferences, have laboratory exposure and leadership training
- Exposure to grant writing, research management, and translational science
Key Responsibilities
- Demonstrable commitment to full-time PhD training on a 3-year program per Makerere University guidelines.
Academic Qualifications
- Eligibility:
- Registered for the PhD Training program at Makerere University in the Department of Medicine with a research focus on any Infectious Disease
- Completed Master’s degree in a medical field
Person Specification
Application Requirements:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- 1-2 page concept focused on a infectious disease topic. The abstract should include:
- Specific aims of the proposed project
- Brief background of the issue
- Research methods to be used
- Justification for the study
- A proposed budget
- 1 page personal statement explaining your motivation for applying to this program
- Two (2) letters of reference
- Copies of admission to the PhD program (for PhD applicants)
- Contact information, including a mobile phone number and email address
