Fellowships in Health Research for Africans, 11/00

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). 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 nonSouth African applicants, or in any other African country for South African applicants. The award will commence no earlier than April 2001, and 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 health-related area (including health economics, nursing, 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. Three letters of support for the applicant must be submitted from referees. 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 tenured member of staff of the host institution.

Applicants should send preliminary applications to the MRC by Friday 10 November 2000. Applications must include the curricula vitae and full publications lists of the visiting scientist and the host researcher, a letter of support from the host, a 2-page project outline with a preliminary research budget (in US$) and a letter from the home institution assuring a post to return to after completion of the fellowship.

The preliminary application will be evaluated by an MRC nominating committee. Applicants will be notified of the outcome by Tuesday 21 November 2000. Please note: applicants are requested to provide reliable telephone, cellular/mobile 'phone, fax and E-mail contact details so that they can be informed of the outcome of their applications as quickly as possible. Successful preliminary applicants will be asked to submit a full application, which must reach the MRC by Thursday 21 December 2000. The full applications will be reviewed by the MRC nominating committee and also by independent external assessors. Applicants will be notified of the nominating committee's final decision by Wednesday 7 February 2001. The successful applicant(s) may commence work no earlier than April 2001.

MRC's research priorities:

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.

Preliminary applications should be sent to:

The President

Medical Research Council

P O Box 19070

7505 Tygerberg, South Africa

For attention: Carole Roberts

Street address for hand/courier delivery:

Medical Research Council

Francie van Zijl Drive

7500 Parowvallei, South Africa

Queries:

Carole Roberts

Director: Office of International Affairs

Medical Research Council

Tel: +27-21-938-0359

Fax: +27-21-938-0368

mailto:carole.roberts@mrc.ac.za

http://www.mrc.ac.za

Deadlines:

PRELIMINARY applications: Friday 10 November 2000

FULL applications: Thursday 21 December 2000

E-mailed or faxed applications will be accepted. Late and/or incomplete applications cannot be accepted.

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