Postgraduate training support

Calls for grant applications or/and letters of interest

Postgraduate training grants now available

TDR supports 7 universities from low- and middle-income countries to provide PhD and Masters degrees focused on implementation research in malaria, TB and neglected tropical diseases to improve health in those regions. There are 3 universities in Africa, 2 in Asia, and 1 each in Latin America and the Middle Eastern region. Each university serves students from their region.

This support scheme began in 2015 to do the following:

Increase the numbers of scientists in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) trained in implementation research on infectious diseases of poverty
Support the development of implementation research as a field of study
Increase the capacity of universities in LMICs to provide this curriculum, manage training grant schemes and mentor students
Expand the reach of this type of education and training in a systematic process

How the scheme works

The scheme provides a full academic scholarship in collaboration with universities in LMICs to train MSc and PhD students. The training is specifically focussed on subjects or disciplines relevant to implementation research. Items covered by the scholarship include full time tuition and board, cost of dissertation research / field work, return air travel from home country to institution and contribution towards the purchase of essential textbooks / learning materials.

Candidates must apply to institutions in their respective regions (Africa, Asia, Latin America or Middle East) to be eligible for consideration.

How to Apply

Interested candidates must apply for admission into the postgraduate programme of one participating universities listed below using either the link provided below or on the university’s official website. Applications and admission enquiries should be sent directly to the institution, TDR will not receive or process applications or enquiries about admissions.

Only candidates admitted into the university’s postgraduate degree programme will be considered for the scholarship.

Prospective candidates are advised to contact the institution directly for details of on eligibility and academic requirements for admission. The should also familiarise themselves with the field of implementation research / implementation science which is the focus of this scheme.

The universities

James P Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University, Bangladesh

List of students currently enrolled in the postgraduate training
pdf, 268kb

The James P Grant School of Public Health (JPGSPH) is situated in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Established in 2004, it is a collaborative effort of BRAC (the largest non-government organisation in the world), BRAC University (a private university established in 2001), and the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research (icddr,b). The focus of JPGSPH is to provide access to education, research and advocacy though integration and innovation. The School uses a multidisciplinary and cutting-edge approach which places experts in the service of society, and train the next generation of global and national health leaders. This practical conversion of knowledge at JPGSPH is applicable in both local and global contexts.

The School collaborates globally with leading schools of public health. A total of 336 students from 26 mostly low- and middle-income countries have graduated from JPGSPH so far. The education and research goals of the James P Grant School of Public Health are actualised by its target group of public health professionals through its flagship educational programme, the Master of Public Health (MPH).

Universidad de Antioquia, National School of Public Health, Colombia

University of Antioquia is a public institution founded in 1803, providing postgraduate training to 2400 students a year, among 39000, mostly Colombian nationals. The National School of Public Health has an epidemiology team with infectious diseases background and provides PhD and MSc training in epidemiology, with the support of other infectious disease research groups at the university. The training programmes are conducted in Spanish, encouraging the participation of students from different countries in Latin America.

The total student enrolment is 39 000 with 7% of this number registered for graduate studies.

University of Ghana, School of Public Health, Ghana

Established in 1948, the University of Ghana is located in Accra. The University’s School of Public Health (SPH) was developed in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service and has a reputation for leadership and competence in the field of implementation research. The School offers courses in English leading to masters and doctoral degrees in Public Health with concentrations on biostatistics, epidemiology, health policy and planning and applied social sciences in health. The School hosts the TDR-supported Regional Training Centre for Africa where the competence is focused on implementation research.

The total student enrolment is over 38 000 with 13% of this number registered for graduate studies.

Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) is a comprehensive university with 18 Faculties and 2 Schools. Established in 1946, the Faculty of Medicine currently offers 6 master-level programmes in public health, tropical medicine, biomedical science, medical education, nursing, and clinical medicine. The international master programme in public health is taught in English. Faculty of Medicine hosts the TDR-supported Regional Training Centre for South East Asia where the competence is focused on implementation research. Established research centres at the Faculty promote and conduct health-related research, with extensive collaborations among leading medical and public health institutions and networks in the world.

The total student enrolment at the University is over 15 500 annually with 34% of this number registered for postgraduate studies. The Faculty of Medicine has an annual admission of over 1 100 students, 60% for postgraduate programmes.

American University of Beirut, Faculty of Health Sciences, Lebanon

Founded in 1866, the American University of Beirut is a teaching-centered research university. The Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) was established in 1954 as the first independent, self-governed school of public health in the Arab world. FHS offers an interdisciplinary graduate public health program that combines the biomedical, epidemiological, environmental, socio-behavioral, and management dimensions of public health. The graduate program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health in the USA. Classes are taught in English. Students come largely from Lebanon and the Arab region, with a growing proportion of international students.

The total student enrolment at AUB is 8000 with 19% of this number registered for graduate studies.

University of the Witwatersrand, School of Public Health, South Africa

Established in 1896 in Johannesburg, the University of the Witwatersrand offers several high quality postgraduate programmes in the field of public health, including Master of Science and PhD degree programmes with a concentration in implementation science. The programme developed in collaboration with the University of North Carolina is considered the first of its kind in Africa. Classes are taught in English.

The university has over 31 000 students with about 35% registered for postgraduate programmes. Postgraduate students come mostly from sub- Saharan Africa (71%).

University of Zambia, Department of Public Health, Zambia

Established in 1965, the University of Zambia offers masters-level courses in several disciplines including public health. The department of public health has TB/HIV research collaborations and expertise in implementation research; a mentorship programme is planned for the grant recipients.

The university has an annual admission of over 28,000 students (approximately 5% for postgraduate programs).

Best wishes

Prof Obinna Onwujekwe

Chairman: Senate Research Grants Committee

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