Deadline: July 31, 2021

Applications are open for the TDR Postgraduate Training Scholarship in Implementation Science 2022. The University of the Witwatersrand’s School of Public Health invites suitably qualified candidates to apply for a full-time funded Master Degree Program in the field of Implementation Science. The scholarship is provided by TDR, the UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Program for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases – hosted at the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland.

The goal of the scheme is to enhance graduate training capacity in implementation research and boost the number of researchers in low- and middle-income countries. The focus is on implementation research on infectious diseases of poverty, including the neglected tropical diseases, malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/TB co-infection and COVID-19.

The training is focused on courses relevant to a career in implementation science. Implementation science is a growing field that supports the identification of health system bottlenecks and approaches to address them, and is particularly useful in low- and middle-income countries where many health interventions do not reach those who need them the most.

Degree Program on Offer: MSc Epidemiology in the field of Implementation Science (18 months full-time).

Scholarship

The scheme will provide full scholarships for Masters in the 2022 academic year and covers the following:

• Return economy airfare between the candidate’s home country and Johannesburg, South Africa;
• Tuition fees;
• Basic medical and accident insurance;
• Monthly stipend to cover living expenses, including accommodation;
• Support for research project expenses.

Further, recipients’ careers will be tracked with the new TDR Global alumni and stakeholder platform that will monitor the impact of the program, as well as provide opportunities for networking and increased visibility opportunities for the Fellows.

Eligibility

• Applicant must be resident in and a national of a low- or middle-income country in the WHO African Region.
• Be under the age of 35.
• Be interested in developing a career in implementation research on infectious diseases of poverty.
• Be proficient in English.

Application

The application process is two-fold and each must be completed separately

• Application to the University of the Witwatersrand
  Apply by completing a University of the Witwatersrand postgraduate application form online. Application fee is R200 for both international and local applications. Application deadline is July 31, 2021.
  Applicants should also note to:
  • Apply for accommodation. Accommodation application deadline is 30 October 2021.
  • Apply to the South African Qualification Authority (SAQA) if with foreign certificates, to have certificates evaluated. The SAQA certificate or evidence of application MUST be uploaded as part of the required application documents.
• Application for the TDR scholarship
  The application for the TDR scholarship should be made separately in writing and should include the following documents:
  • A letter of motivation for applying for the scholarship.
  • A certified copy of the bio-data page of the applicant’s passport.
  • Evidence of application to study Implementation Science as the field of study in the MSc Epidemiology Program at University of the Witwatersrand’s School of Public Health commencing in January 2022.
  • A comprehensive curriculum vitae, including a description of relevant research and work experience.
  • Two confidential referee reports should be sent directly by the referees to: TDRenquiries.publichealth@wits.ac.za by July 31, 2021. The referee reports label MUST include the student’s name and application number.

The TDR Scholarship applications should be sent to: TDRenquiries.publichealth@wits.ac.za