Are you passionate about public health, data, and policy? Applications are now open for the 2026 SACEMA Policy Modelling Fellowship, a 10-month fully funded program hosted by the South African Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis (SACEMA). This fellowship empowers African professionals to use data-driven disease modelling to influence vaccination strategies, outbreak preparedness, and health policy planning across the continent.
About the Fellowship
The SACEMA Policy Modelling Fellowship aims to build Africa’s capacity in policy-relevant disease modelling, with a focus on measles and polio vaccination strategies. Fellows receive hands-on training, mentorship from leading experts, and opportunities to collaborate directly with Ministries of Health and global health organizations.
This program includes fully funded travel, accommodation, meals, and a monthly stipend. Fellows will participate in both remote and in-person training sessions based in South Africa.
Fellowship Objectives
As a Policy Modelling Fellow, you will:
- Apply data-modelling techniques to improve measles and/or polio immunization programs.
- Work closely with national health ministries to collect data and present policy insights.
- Develop practical policy briefs and recommendations to support vaccination and epidemic preparedness.
- Strengthen health systems through evidence-based decision-making.
Women and early-career professionals are strongly encouraged to apply.
Program Structure & Timeline (Hybrid: Remote + In-person)
| Phase | Activity | Timeframe |
| Phase 1 | Remote prep & data acquisition | Feb – Mar 2026 |
| Phase 2 | Online modelling training | April 2026 |
| Phase 3 | In-person technical training in South Africa | June – August 2026 (6–8 weeks) |
| Phase 4 | Policy development & stakeholder engagement | Aug – Nov 2026 |
| Phase 5 | Final residency & presentations | October 2026 (2 weeks) |
Fellowship Benefits
- Fully funded travel, accommodation, and meals during South African training
- Monthly stipend (based on milestone completion)
- Childcare and dissemination support (if applicable)
- Access to advanced learning modules & global modelling networks
- Mentorship from leading epidemiologists and policy experts
Eligibility Criteria
To apply, candidates must:
- Come from an African country
- Have a background in mathematics, epidemiology, statistics, public health, or a related quantitative field
- Maintain a working relationship with their Ministry of Health or a partner institution
- Be able to access sub-national measles or polio surveillance and vaccination data
- Have basic coding skills (e.g., R, Python, or similar)
- Commit 8–10 hours per week from February to November 2026
- Be willing to travel to South Africa for in-person training
Eligible Countries
- Open to applicants from all African countries
Application Requirements
Prepare the following documents:
- CV (max 3 pages)
- Letter or plan confirming access to vaccination/surveillance data via Ministry of Health or partner agency
- Letter of support from your institution or employer
- Application Deadline: Deadline: 1 December 2025
APPLY AND LEARN MORE VIA THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE
Check other opportunities:
Apply Now: Software Engineer – Device Firmware Role in Austin, Texas (H-1B Sponsorship Available)
Hospitality Job UK: Sous Chef with Accommodation in the Lake District (Visa Support)
Study in France, Germany and Italy: Apply for the Erasmus MemBioMed Scholarship 2026
KAIST Visual AI Group Winter Internship 2025 | Paid Research Internship in South Korea
