This is a Policy Modelling Fellowship offered by SACEMA, focused on modeling for measles and/or polio. Fellows will develop models that inform vaccination programme optimization, immunity estimation, and policy decisions, working directly with ministries of health and other stakeholders.
The program combines technical training, stakeholder engagement, and policy translation: fellows translate model outputs into policy briefs for national immunization programmes.
Remote for much of the fellowship — fellows are based in Sub-Saharan Africa, working from their country of origin or employment.
In-person components in South Africa (Cape Town for the MMED workshop, Stellenbosch for modelling training).
Host institution: SACEMA, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
Fully funded travel, accommodation, and meals during the in-person training visits in South Africa. Fellows receive a stipend tied to fellowship milestones.
Training course fees (e.g., modelling workshops) are covered. There is limited financial support for in-country dissemination meetings with national stakeholders.
Potential child-care support for in-person trips.
Applicants should:
1. Have training or work experience in a quantitative field (e.g., statistics, applied math, epidemiology).
2. Have an established working relationship with their Ministry of Health or national immunization programme (or be able to facilitate one) to access data.
3. Be able to access sub-national measles or polio vaccine/ incidence data (or have a realistic plan to).
4. Have programming skills / data analysis experience.
5. Be able to commit 8–10 hours/week for remote work from February through November 2026.
6. Be available to travel: 6–8 weeks mid-2026 and ~2 weeks in October 2026 for in-person trainings & stakeholder engagement.
7. Female candidates and historically underrepresented individuals in modelling are strongly encouraged to apply.
Applications for the 2026 fellowship were opened as per the 2026 call.
The 2026 program is specifically called “Policy Modelling Fellowships 2026 – Measles & Polio.”
The application deadline for this 2026 cohort is 1 December 2025. This is also listed on the IDDJobs posting.
The fellowship runs for 10 months.
Start date: expected 2 February 2026.
It includes both remote work and in-person training phases. (workshops in June, modelling training July–August, dissemination in October)
1. Submit application to SACEMA via their website or designated portal; check the “Policy Modelling Fellowship” page. (SACEMA’s official fellowship page)
2. Provide CV, a letter of support or data-access plan from Ministry of Health / national immunization programme, and a letter from employer (if employed) confirming your ability to participate.
3. Shortlisted applicants will complete a skills assessment (programming, data analysis, communication).
4. Selected fellows enter a formal agreement, then begin their work: data acquisition, training, modelling, policy engagement, policy brief development, and dissemination with national stakeholders.
SACEMA’s Fellowship Page: “Policy Modelling Fellowships – Measles and/or Polio” on SACEMA site. https://www.sacema.org/opportunities/policy-modelling-fellowships
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