Researchers and academics looking for fully supported PhD and postdoctoral research opportunities in Africa have a new opportunity to explore. The ACT-PREP project has announced a call for 15 PhD fellowships and 10 Postdoctoral Research Fellowships focused on Clinical Trials and Epidemic Preparedness and Response (EPR) Research. The opportunity is designed to strengthen Africa’s capacity to prepare for, detect and respond to epidemics by supporting research in areas including surveillance, ethics, pharmacovigilance, diagnostics and policy. The fellowships are funded under the HORIZON-JU-GH-EDCTP3 programme, making the call particularly relevant to researchers seeking opportunities connected to international health research and Africa’s emergency preparedness agenda. For early-career researchers, the programme presents an opportunity to build advanced research expertise while contributing to scientific and public-health priorities across the continent. What Is the ACT-PREP Fellowship Programme? ACT-PREP is focused on Clinical Trials and Epidemic Preparedness and Response Research. Its stated objective is to strengthen key foundations of Africa’s emergency preparedness and response ecosystem. The project specifically aims to strengthen: Disease surveillance Research and public-health ethics Pharmacovigilance Diagnostics Policy foundations for emergency preparedness and response By targeting these areas, the programme seeks to develop research capacity that can contribute to stronger systems for preventing and responding to health emergencies in Africa. 15 PhD and 10 Postdoctoral Fellowships Available The call provides a total of 25 research fellowship opportunities, comprising: 15 PhD Fellowships The doctoral fellowships are aimed at researchers seeking advanced academic and research training in areas linked to clinical trials and epidemic preparedness and response. 10 Postdoctoral Research Fellowships The postdoctoral opportunities are designed for researchers who have already completed doctoral-level training and want to deepen their research experience and contribution to the field. Together, the opportunities provide an important pathway for researchers who want to develop expertise in clinical research, public health, epidemic preparedness, diagnostics, pharmacovigilance, research ethics and related areas. Why This Opportunity Matters for African Researchers Africa continues to require stronger research capacity to address emerging and recurring health threats. Building a pipeline of researchers capable of producing evidence, evaluating interventions and strengthening emergency response systems is therefore an important part of long-term preparedness. The ACT-PREP programme is positioned around precisely these needs. For researchers, the value of the opportunity extends beyond obtaining another academic qualification. Research training in clinical trials and epidemic preparedness can support future careers across universities, research institutions, public-health agencies, hospitals, international organisations, policy institutions and development programmes. The programme may therefore appeal to applicants who want to build careers at the intersection of scientific research, health systems, policy and emergency preparedness. Makerekere University 25 Research Fellowships in Africa: Key Research Areas The official Makerere University announcement highlights several areas central to the ACT-PREP project. Disease Surveillance Surveillance systems are essential for identifying public-health threats and understanding how diseases emerge and spread. Research in this area can contribute to stronger systems for detecting outbreaks and informing timely responses. Research Ethics Ethics is a fundamental component of clinical and public-health research. Research capacity in this area can help strengthen safeguards for participants, improve accountability and support responsible research practices. Pharmacovigilance Pharmacovigilance focuses on monitoring the safety and effects of medicines. Strong systems can help generate evidence needed to identify risks and improve the safe use of health interventions. Diagnostics Reliable and accessible diagnostic systems are crucial during outbreaks and other health emergencies. Strengthening research and innovation in diagnostics can support faster detection and better public-health decision-making. Makerekere University 25 Research Fellowships in Africa: Policy and Emergency Preparedness Scientific evidence must connect with policy if it is to influence real-world preparedness. The ACT-PREP project therefore also addresses the policy foundations supporting Africa’s Emergency Preparedness and Response ecosystem. Who Should Consider Applying? The opportunity is particularly relevant to researchers whose academic and professional interests align with clinical trials, epidemiology, public health, infectious diseases, diagnostics, health policy, research ethics, medicines safety and epidemic preparedness. Applicants should carefully review the official fellowship call before applying because the Makerere University announcement directs prospective candidates to the attached call for the detailed eligibility requirements, application procedures and fellowship information. This is important because the short announcement does not provide the full eligibility criteria or detailed funding structure for each fellowship category. Makerekere University 25 Research Fellowships in Africa: How to Apply Prospective applicants should begin by reviewing the official ACT-PREP PhD and Postdoctoral Fellowship Call attached to the Makerere University announcement. The official announcement specifically instructs interested and eligible candidates to consult the detailed call for: Eligibility requirements Fellowship details Application procedures Required documentation The announcement also provides access to the full PhD and PostDoctoral Fellowship Call in both DOCX and PDF formats. Applicants should avoid relying solely on summaries or social-media posts when preparing an application. The original fellowship call should be used to confirm all requirements, deadlines and submission instructions. Build a Research Career Around Africa’s Health Priorities The ACT-PREP fellowships arrive at a time when advanced research capacity is increasingly important to Africa’s health and development agenda. A successful researcher in this field can potentially contribute to stronger clinical research systems, outbreak surveillance, diagnostics, pharmacovigilance, ethical research frameworks and evidence-informed policies. For PhD candidates, the opportunity could provide a foundation for an academic or research career. For postdoctoral researchers, it could provide an opportunity to expand an existing research profile and build collaborations around major public-health priorities. The programme’s emphasis on epidemic preparedness and response also makes it relevant to researchers interested in how science can translate into stronger health systems and policy. Don’t Miss the Official Call Makerere University published the ACT-PREP fellowship announcement on 14 August 2026, inviting eligible researchers to review the detailed call and apply for the available opportunities. With 15 PhD fellowships and 10 postdoctoral fellowships available, researchers interested in clinical trials and epidemic preparedness should examine the official documentation carefully and determine whether their academic background and research interests align with the programme. The official announcement can be accessed through Makerere University’s research and academic news platform, where the detailed fellowship call is provided in both Word and PDF formats. 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