Centre for Epidemic Response & Innovation African STARS fellowship now open
Applications are currently being accepted for the 2025 Centre for Epidemic Response & Innovation (CERI) African STARS fellowship. The Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI) at Stellenbosch University in South Africa, in collaboration with the Institut Pasteur de Dakar (IPD) in Senegal and the Mastercard Foundation, invites candidates to apply for the African STARS Fellowship. This is a fully funded opportunity to pursue a Master of Science in Bioinformatics of Infectious Diseases and Pathogen Genomics at Stellenbosch University, South Africa.
Program Details – Centre for Epidemic Response & Innovation African STARS fellowship
This two-year multidisciplinary MSc program aims to provide African scientists with the necessary skills to spearhead innovative research in the fields of infectious diseases and pathogen genomics.
- Duration: 2 years (February 2026 – January 2028).
- Location: Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.
- The program includes a structured 9-month lecture block, which features a mandatory Statistics and Bioinformatics module, followed by elective modules in Infectious Diseases or Pathogen Genomics, allowing for flexibility to meet emerging research needs.
- Participants will receive over a year of practical research training in Stellenbosch University’s renowned infectious disease laboratories to complete a bioinformatics research project.
- Career development workshops will be provided, specifically designed to cater to the needs of researchers from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
- Continuous mentorship will be available from a dedicated team of supervisors based at Stellenbosch and affiliated institutions.
Eligibility Criteria – Centre for Epidemic Response & Innovation African STARS fellowship
- Applicants must fulfill the following requirements:
- Born in and / or living in Africa
- 35 years of age or younger at the time of application
- Hold a BSc Honours (NQF level 8) or equivalent 4-year degree (≥65%) in:
- Bioinformatics, Data Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science,
- Biochemistry, Genetics, Molecular Biology, or a related field
- Women are strongly encouraged to apply
Benefits – Centre for Epidemic Response & Innovation African STARS fellowship
The African STARS Fellowship covers the full cost of the MSc programme, including:
- Tuition fees
- Accommodation
- Living stipend
- Research-related expenses
- Air Travel expense
- Health insurance
Application – Centre for Epidemic Response & Innovation African STARS fellowship
- Step 1: Click here to apply for the African STARS Fellowship (Scholarship)
- Note: This form is only for the scholarship application.
- Deadline: 26 June 2025
- Step 2: Submit a formal application to Stellenbosch University for admission to the MSc Programme.
- Deadline: 31 August 2025 (International), 30 September 2025 (South Africans)
- For details visit the Official Webpage of the African STARS fellowship
