The EDCTP COMPASS Fellowship short for Creating Opportunities for Master’s Programmes for Africa: Support and Scholarships is a fully funded capacity-building initiative by LSHTM in partnership with the European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP). It equips emerging public health leaders from sub-Saharan Africa with advanced training through a two-year distance master’s (MSc in Clinical Trials or Epidemiology) and a 6–12-month policy or research internship in-country. The internship can be part of the fellow’s home institution or one proposed by the fellow, provided there's an affiliation with LSHTM.
Location (Country/City)
- Training component: Delivered online via Distance Learning through LSHTM (based in London, UK)
- Internship component: Hosted in sub-Saharan Africa, at either the fellow’s employing institution or a local partner institution collaborating with LSHTM
Funding
- Covers full MSc tuition fees for the two-year Distance Learning program
- Supports an internship (6–12 months) with a living allowance, mentorship, and institutional hosting arrangements
- Includes academic and professional mentorship and access to research networks
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Be citizens of sub-Saharan African countries and employed there for at least the last 12 months
- Work in relevant public health domains such as HIV, TB, malaria, maternal & child health, antimicrobial resistance, climate-linked diseases, infectious comorbidities, etc.
- Be backed by their employer, who must commit to retaining the fellow for two years post-completion of the fellowship
- Not currently receive other external funding/support for their MSc program
Additionally, priority is given to:
- Women applicants
- Non-Anglophone candidates (who meet English proficiency requirements)
- Applicants from low-capacity African institutions
- Fellows with pre-arranged internships or flexible placement options
Academic eligibility:
- For new entrants: a first or second-class honours degree or equivalent, or a professional qualification with ≥3 years of relevant experience
- For current MSc DL students: Must be in their first year or final year of the program
Application Date
- The fellowship call is currently open for the 2025–26 cycle
Application Deadline
- All applications must be submitted by 15 August 2025 at 23:59 GMT/BST
Duration
- Training: Two-year MSc by Distance Learning in Clinical Trials or Epidemiology
- Internship: 6 to 12 months at a host institution in sub-Saharan Africa
- Candidates may apply for:
- The full fellowship (training + internship)
- Training only
- Internship only
Application Process
- Apply via the COMPASS Fellowship portal (separate from MSc admission):
- Submit proof of nationality, CV, cover letter, employer support letter, and other supporting documents
- Candidate must also apply separately for the MSc program if not already enrolled
- Indicate which component(s) you are applying for (training, internship, or both)
- Selection is based on alignment with eligibility, relevance of work, and institutional commitment
Application Website
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