The SAHRI Fellowship offers fully funded three-year training for mid-career biomedical and clinical researchers in sub-Saharan Africa. Includes MSc studies, BioNTech internship, African research placements, and home-country project implementation.

🌱 A Fellowship Built to Transform Health Research in Africa

The Sub-Saharan Africa Health Research and Innovation Fellowship (SAHRI Fellowship) stands as a visionary initiative designed to empower mid-career biomedical and clinical researchers committed to advancing health outcomes across the continent. With infectious diseases continuing to challenge the region’s healthcare systems, the SAHRI Fellowship invests in talented African scientists who have the potential to become the next generation of leaders in biomedical innovation.

Funded by Global Health EDCTP3 and implemented by a consortium led by the Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp (ITM) in partnership with BioNTech, the programme offers a fully funded, world-class training pathway. Over the course of three years, selected fellows build expertise, refine leadership skills, and pioneer impactful research in their home countries.

🎓 A Three-Year Training Journey with Global Impact

The SAHRI Fellowship is structured into three interconnected phases, each designed to build upon the previous stage for a seamless and transformative learning experience.

1️⃣ Academic Phase: Building the Foundation of Excellence

During the first year, fellows begin their journey at the Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, enrolling in the renowned Master of Science in Tropical Medicine. This 60-ECTS programme is research-oriented, flexible, and modular—perfectly suited for professionals seeking advanced expertise in infectious diseases and global health.

In addition, fellows complete the Systems Thinking in Biotech Development course at the Access-To-Medicines Research Centre of KU Leuven, equipping them with a deep understanding of biotechnology innovation and development pipelines.

This foundational year strengthens academic rigor while sharpening analytical thinking, preparing fellows for the practical phases ahead.

2️⃣ Placement Phase: Immersive Learning Across Continents

The second phase integrates real-world experience through two major components:

Internship at BioNTech – Mainz, Germany

Fellows undergo a six-month immersion at BioNTech’s headquarters, gaining firsthand exposure to cutting-edge biomedical research, vaccine development technologies, and biotech innovation systems.

Hands-On Research Placements in Africa

After the BioNTech internship, fellows return to Africa for field-based training with one of the programme’s partner institutions such as:

• East African Consortium for Clinical Research (EACCR) centres in
  • Ethiopia
  • Kenya
  • Rwanda
  • Tanzania
  • Uganda
• Clinical Research Unit of Nanoro (IRSS-CRUN) – Burkina Faso

This phase strengthens networks, promotes regional collaboration, and nurtures applied research skills essential for Africa’s evolving health landscape.

3️⃣ Return-Home Phase: Creating Lasting Local Impact

In their final year, fellows return to their home countries to implement a locally embedded research project designed to address specific public health challenges.

This phase supports:

• Independent research leadership
• Strengthening institutional capacity
• Community-level impact
• Pathways toward a future PhD

By reinvesting acquired skills where they are most needed, the SAHRI Fellowship ensures long-term transformation that extends far beyond the individual.

👥 The Team Behind the Programme

The SAHRI Fellowship is led and supported by a multidisciplinary team committed to research excellence and equity in global health:

• Project Promotors:
  • Dr. Tom Decroo
  • Dr. Maria Zolfo
• Programme Coordinator:
  • Rodrigo Henriquez
• Programme Administrator:
  • Katrien Van Wymeersch

Fellows benefit from strong mentorship, administrative support, and an international professional network that extends across Europe and Africa.

📬 Contact Information

For enquiries and application support:
📧 [email protected]

🌐 Eligibility: Who Can Apply?

The fellowship is open to mid-career clinical and biomedical scientists from across sub-Saharan Africa who demonstrate leadership potential, research commitment, and passion for advancing infectious disease science.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be nationals of a sub-Saharan African country with a valid passport
• Hold a Master’s-equivalent degree recognized in the EU
• Meet all admission criteria for the MSc in Tropical Medicine
• Demonstrate interest in infectious disease research aligned with EDCTP priorities
• Provide proof of institutional support for leave of absence
• Show clear vision for leveraging the fellowship to strengthen African health research
• Commit to research capacity-building in their home institutions
• Show interest in biomedical innovation and entrepreneurship

Women are strongly encouraged to apply, reflecting the programme’s focus on gender equity in scientific leadership.

🎁 Fellowship Benefits: Fully Funded Support

The SAHRI Fellowship covers all costs associated with the full three-year programme, enabling fellows to focus entirely on their professional and academic growth.

Coverage Includes:

• Full tuition fees
• Accommodation
• Monthly living stipend
• Health insurance
• International travel
• Research expenses
• Costs associated with the BioNTech internship
• Support for the return-home research phase

This all-inclusive package ensures equitable access and full participation for selected fellows.

📝 How to Apply

📅 Deadline for 2026–2029 Cohort:

1 February 2026

Step 1: Apply to ITM’s MSc in Tropical Medicine

Candidates must first apply for admission to the Master of Science in Tropical Medicine at the Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp under the SAHRI Fellowship track.

This serves as the entry point into the entire fellowship programme.

🌍 A Fellowship That Strengthens Africa’s Research Future

The SAHRI Fellowship is more than a training programme—it is a strategic investment in Africa’s scientific leadership. By bridging academic excellence, biotech innovation, and community-based research, SAHRI equips fellows to shape the future of infectious disease prevention and control across the continent.

From classrooms in Antwerp to BioNTech laboratories in Germany, and finally to research communities across Africa, the programme creates a powerful platform for transformation.

🚀 Apply Today and Shape the Future of Health Innovation in Africa

👉 Apply to the MSc in Tropical Medicine at ITM Antwerp

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