PhD Fellowships in Clinical Trials and Epidemic Preparedness and Response Research

The ACT-PREP consortium is offering PhD fellowships across seven African nations. This program strengthens clinical trial and epidemic response research capacity. Funding comes through Horizon Europe’s Global Health EDCTP3 partnership specifically. This EU-Africa collaboration targets infectious disease burden across the continent. The current call offers fifteen PhD positions among twenty-five total fellowships.

Program Snapshot

• Host Consortium: ACT-PREP, funded under HORIZON-JU-GH-EDCTP3
• Eligible Countries: DRC, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda
• Duration: Three years, with possible no-cost extensions
• PhD Round 1 Deadline: September 15, 2026
• PhD Round 2 Deadline: September 30, 2026

Focus Areas

• Clinical trials and trial readiness
• Disease surveillance, modeling, and artificial intelligence
• Ethics, regulatory science, and genomic surveillance
• One Health and epidemic preparedness

About the Programme

This initiative strengthens Africa’s broader emergency preparedness and response ecosystem. Fellows conduct doctoral research across seven distinct thematic priority areas. Each fellow completes core courses alongside specialized training in their theme. The programme demands high standards of research quality and scientific integrity.

Given ambitious three-year timelines, justified extensions may be granted when needed. This depends on individual university policies and institutional approval processes.

What Fellows Receive

Fellows receive partial or full tuition coverage throughout their doctoral programme. A monthly stipend supports living expenses during the fellowship term. Additionally, fellows receive a one-time research or clinical trial grant. Mentorship comes directly from experienced ACT-PREP research experts throughout. Fellows also access consortium trial sites, shared datasets, and an alumni network.

Who Can Apply

Applicants must be nationals of one of seven ACT-PREP partner countries. Candidates need a relevant master’s degree in health or biomedical sciences. Applicants must currently enroll in a PhD at an ACT-PREP partner university. These include Makerere University, University of Global Health Equity, and others. Candidates require formal endorsement from their home institution. Qualified female candidates are especially encouraged to apply for these fellowships.

Required Materials

Applicants submit a completed application form alongside academic transcripts. A current CV and detailed research concept note are also required. Additionally, applicants need an institutional endorsement letter and motivation letter. Two academic referees must support each complete application submission.

How to Apply

Submit your complete application via email to the designated addresses. Send materials to #339966;">#339966;" href="mailto:recruitment@act-prep.org">recruitment@act-prep.org, copying #339966;">#339966;" href="mailto:actprep@musph.ac.ug">actprep@musph.ac.ug and #339966;">#339966;" href="mailto:noahzyah@gmail.com">noahzyah@gmail.com.

#339966;">#339966;" href="https://news.mak.ac.ug/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PhD-and-PostDoctoral-Fellowship-Call_Final_14Aug2026_FINAL.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Click Here to Apply

Conclusion

This fellowship offers a genuinely significant opportunity for African researchers to build advanced expertise in clinical trials and epidemic preparedness, directly addressing critical gaps in the continent’s health research infrastructure. Its strong EU-Africa institutional backing and comprehensive funding package make it especially valuable for early-career scientists in the region.

Given the two-round PhD application structure, eligible candidates should confirm their preferred round and prepare a strong research concept note well before the relevant deadline.

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