pexels-pixabay-40568
The South African government has announced a funding injection of R400 million over the next three years to strengthen the South African National Health Research Enterprise.
This investment will be supported by commitments of R100 million each from the Gates Foundation (GF) and the Wellcome Trust (WT), bringing the total to R600 million.
The funding is intended to maintain critical research capacity and ensure continuity of health research programmes in the country.
“This is a critical moment for South African science and public health. The withdrawal of US funding could have severely compromised key research programmes that underpin our national response to diseases such as HIV, TB, and non-communicable diseases,” said Professor Ntobeko Ntusi, President and CEO of the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC).
The government has already approved an initial allocation of R132 million for the 2025/26 financial year under emergency provisions of the Public Finance Management Act.
The remaining R268 million will be proposed in the 2026 budget process to complete the three-year commitment.
The SAMRC will manage the funds through its competitive grant application processes.
The process will prioritise research projects at risk of disruption following reductions in long-standing funding streams.
The Request for Applications (RFA) has been issued and is available on the SAMRC website.
It targets research and academic institutions in South Africa with active US grants affected by recent funding withdrawals.
Funds may be used for research activities, staffing, student support, infrastructure maintenance, and capacity development, consistent with the scope of the original grants.
The supported thematic areas include HIV, TB, mental health, maternal and child health, and health systems strengthening.
Role of the Gates Foundation and Wellcome Trust
The Gates Foundation has supported health research in South Africa for more than two decades, including work on HIV, TB, maternal health, and vaccine development.
Its partnerships in the country have included collaborations with universities, research councils, and public health institutions.
The Wellcome Trust has funded research across Africa in areas such as infectious diseases, epidemic preparedness, and health systems.
In South Africa, its grants have supported studies on TB, mental health, and emerging pathogens.
“We are immensely grateful to the Gates Foundation and the Wellcome Trust for standing with us during this time, and to our government for swiftly stepping in to safeguard our research infrastructure and workforce,” said Professor Ntusi.
Both organisations’ contributions to this funding package are intended to prevent immediate disruption to critical research projects and to sustain infrastructure and personnel during the transition to alternative funding sources.
Importance of the Funding
The combined R600 million allocation will support ongoing research projects that are integral to public health programmes in South Africa.
By maintaining staffing levels, protecting laboratory operations, and ensuring student research can continue, the funding is expected to help preserve the country’s capacity to respond to major health challenges.
This measure comes in response to a significant reduction in US funding for some South African research programmes.
The affected projects include those with a focus on infectious diseases such as HIV and TB, which have long been areas of national and international priority due to their prevalence and impact on public health.
By filling the immediate funding gap, the government and its partners aim to avoid interruptions that could delay the completion of studies or the delivery of results that inform health policy and treatment strategies.
About the South African Medical Research Council
The South African Medical Research Council was established in 1969 to improve the health and quality of life of South Africans through research, development, and technology transfer.
Its scope includes tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, cardiovascular and non-communicable diseases, gender and health, and alcohol and other drug abuse.
In line with the Department of Health’s objectives, the SAMRC works to strengthen health systems and address the leading causes of death in the country.
The collaboration between the South African government, the Gates Foundation, and the Wellcome Trust represents a coordinated effort to maintain the country’s research capabilities and protect progress in priority health areas.
