South African MRC's Fellowship, 06/02

The South African Medical Research Council (MRC) and the South African AIDS Vaccine Initiative (SAAVI) invite applications for one-year travelling research fellowships in health research, with preference given to proposals which address the MRC's research priorities (see below) and particularly to those addressing HIV/AIDS research. While applications for shorter periods of three to twelve months may be considered, applications for the full twelve-month period are encouraged.

The purpose of the fellowship is to build research capacity and strengthen research collaboration within Africa and between African scientists. The fellowship may be held in South Africa for non-South African applicants, or in any other African country for South African applicants. The award will cover the fellow's return travel from home to host country, the fellow's salary (calculated on South African scales, in US$) in the host country, and reasonable research costs in the host country. Five such fellowships may be awarded. Applicants providing proof of a research doctorate or equivalent in a healthrelated area including, health economics, nursing or public health will be considered. Applicants that do not hold a research doctorate or equivalent must have proven research capabilities. They must be citizens of an African country, currently working in that country, and must be able to provide assurance that there is a position to return to in their home country on completion of the fellowship. The host institution must be a university or research institute, including research councils and government laboratories but excluding industrial laboratories. The host must be a member of staff of the host institution.

Application process:
The application process is initiated by the submission of a preliminary application to the MRC. The preliminary application will be evaluated by an MRC nominating committee and successful preliminary applicants will be asked to submit a full application that will be sent out for independent peer review. The MRC nominating will then make recommendations for the award of the fellowship based on the reports received from the independent external assessors.

To be considered for this fellowship, applicants must submit a preliminary application with the following information: * full curriculum vitae of the visiting fellow and host researcher,
including full publications lists and reliable telephone, cellular/mobile 'phone, fax and e-mail contact details, * a letter of support from the host researcher, * a letter from the home institution assuring a post to return to after completion of the fellowship,
* a 2-page project outline prepared in consultation with the host researcher,
* a preliminary budget in US$ to cover the fellows return airfare and
reasonable research costs.

In addition, three letters of support for the applicant must be submitted by the applicants referees under separate cover.

Deadlines:

Applicants must send a preliminary application to the MRC by Friday 28 June 2002. Applicants will be notified of the outcome of the preliminary application by Friday 19 July 2002. The full application must reach the MRC by Thursday 31 October 2002. Applicants will be notified of the nominating committee's final decision by the end of January 2003. The successful applicant(s) may commence work as soon as visa requirements have been fulfilled.

MRC's research priorities please refer to the following URL: http://www.mrc.ac.za/research/ourresearch.htm

The MRC's six National Programmes focus on: * Molecules to Disease,
* Health Systems and Policy,
* Women and Child Health,
* Infection and Immunity,
* Non-communicable Diseases,
* Environment and Development.

The Lead Programmes focus on:
* HIV/AIDS,
* Tuberculosis,
* Crime, violence and injury,
* Malaria,
* Genetics and Genomics.

Cross-cutting programmes:
* Ethics and human rights,
* Capacity Development,
* Culture and Indigenous Knowledge,
* Information and Knowledge Management,
* Health Promotion,
* Intellectual Property.

Applications should be sent to:
Carole Roberts
Medical Research Council
P O Box 19070
7505 Tygerberg, South Africa

Street address for hand/courier delivery: Medical Research Council
Francie van Zijl Drive
7500 Parowvallei, South Africa.

Queries:
Carole Roberts
Tel: +27-21-938-0359
Fax: +27-21-938-0239
mailto:carole.roberts@mrc.ac.za

Deadlines:
PRELIMINARY applications: Friday 28 June 2002 FULL applications: Thursday 31 October 2002

Important please note: E-mailed or faxed applications will be accepted. Late and/or incomplete applications cannot be accepted: applicants must submit all the required documentation by the deadlines indicated in order to be eligible and in order to have their application considered.

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