The National Health Research Enterprise (NHRE) programme is calling for proposals from South African researchers and institutions to strengthen work on tuberculosis, HIV, infectious diseases and pandemic preparedness. Applications close on 11 October 2026.
The funding offers up to R5 million per year for three years, with a maximum award of R15 million per project. The initiative is led by the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) and is supported by National Treasury through the National Department of Health, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Wellcome.
Purpose and context
The NHRE was established to shore up South Africa’s health research ecosystem after a notable fall in international funding. It aims to retain research infrastructure, maintain scientific expertise and support institutions that have historically contributed to major health advances.
Priority is given to high-impact projects that align with national health needs and can produce tangible outputs. These include new evidence, diagnostics, treatments, vaccines, prevention measures, implementation models, surveillance systems and rapid-response platforms.
Who should apply and what the programme supports
Eligible applicants are South African researchers and research institutions. Projects should demonstrate clear links to South Africa’s health priorities and aim to generate practical or scientific outputs that can be translated into policy or practice.
- Areas of focus: Tuberculosis (TB), HIV, other infectious diseases and pandemic preparedness.
- Funding scale: Up to R5 million per year for three years; maximum R15 million per project.
- Expected outputs: diagnostics, treatments, vaccines, surveillance, implementation models and rapid-response capabilities.
The programme explicitly supports research that strengthens local capacity and improves equitable access to innovation. Proposals are expected to address priority health gaps and to produce evidence or tools that can be implemented in South African health settings.
Partners and governance
The NHRE is overseen by the SAMRC and funded in partnership with National Treasury via the National Department of Health, the Gates Foundation and Wellcome. The collaboration aims to reverse the erosion of research funding and to sustain South Africa’s contribution to global health science.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Application deadline | 11 October 2026 |
| Annual funding | Up to R5 million |
| Maximum total | R15 million (over three years) |
| Lead agency | South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) |
| Supporting partners | National Department of Health (via National Treasury), Gates Foundation, Wellcome |
Why this matters
South Africa bears a heavy burden from TB and HIV and remains at risk from emerging infectious threats. The NHRE seeks to convert research capacity into locally relevant innovations and implementation work that can improve public-health outcomes. By financing longer-term projects, the programme aims to create durable platforms for surveillance, rapid response and health technology development.
Successful projects are expected to do more than produce papers. Funded work should result in tools, diagnostics, interventions or policy-relevant evidence that can be taken up by the health system or inform national responses.
Details on eligibility criteria, application procedures and priority topics are available from the SAMRC. Prospective applicants are advised to consult the official guidance and submit proposals well before the 11 October 2026 deadline.
