The African STARS (Science, Technology, and Research for Sustainable Health) MSc Fellowship is a fully funded program designed to train the next generation of African scientists in the fields of bioinformatics, infectious diseases, and pathogen genomics. The fellowship is a collaborative initiative between the Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI) at Stellenbosch University, South Africa, and the Institut Pasteur de Dakar (IPD), Senegal, with support from the Mastercard Foundation. The program aims to equip African scholars with the skills necessary to lead innovative research and address health challenges on the continent. 

Location (Country/City)

• Country: South Africa
  
  
• City: Cape Town
  
  
• Institution: Stellenbosch University
• ‍
  

Funding

The fellowship provides comprehensive financial support, covering:

• Tuition fees
  
  
• Accommodation
  
  
• Living stipend
  
  
• Research-related expenses
  
  
• Air travel expenses
  
  
• Health insurance
  
  

This ensures that fellows can fully commit to their studies without financial constraints.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be born in and/or residing in Africa
  
  
• Be 35 years of age or younger at the time of application
  
  
• Hold a BSc Honours (NQF level 8) or equivalent 4-year degree with a minimum of 65% in one of the following fields:
  
  
  
  • Bioinformatics
    
    
  • Data Science
    
    
  • Mathematics
    
    
  • Statistics
    
    
  • Computer Science
    
    
  • Biochemistry
    
    
  • Genetics
    
    
  • Molecular Biology
    
    
  • Or a related field
    
    
• Women are strongly encouraged to apply
  
  

Application Date

• Application Opening: Currently open
  
  
• Fellowship Start Date: February 2026

Application Deadline

• Fellowship Application Deadline: 26 June 2025
  
  
• Stellenbosch University MSc Programme Application Deadlines:
  
  
  
  • 31 August 2025 for international applicants
    
    
  • 30 September 2025 for South African applicants
    
    

Duration of Program

The MSc program spans 2 years, from February 2026 to January 2028. It includes:

• A structured 9-month lecture block, featuring compulsory modules in Statistics and Bioinformatics, followed by elective modules in Infectious Diseases or Pathogen Genomics.
  
  
• Over a year of hands-on research training within Stellenbosch University's infectious disease laboratories, culminating in a bioinformatics research project.
  
  
• Career development workshops tailored to researchers in low- and middle-income countries.
  
  
• Ongoing mentorship from a dedicated team of supervisors at Stellenbosch and partnering institutions.
• ‍

Application Process

1. Fellowship Application:
   
   
   
   • Complete the online application form available at starsfellows.africa/apply.
     
     
   • Submit required documents, including:
     
     
   • Curriculum Vitae (CV)

‍

• Letter of recommendation addressed to the African STARS Fellowship Programme Selection Committee
• Certified copies of qualifications
  
  
• Note: Only online applications will be considered; emailed or hard copy applications are not accepted.
  
  

2. University Admission Application:
   
   
   
   • Submit a formal application to Stellenbosch University for admission to the MSc Programme.
     
     
   • Deadlines:
     
     
     
     • 31 August 2025 for international applicants
       
       
     • 30 September 2025 for South African applicants
       
       

Application Website

• For more information and to apply, visit the official African STARS Fellowship website: https://www.starsfellows.africa/apply/

‍