The Sub-Saharan African Consortium for Advanced Biostatistics (SSACAB) is a group of six African and two northern partner institutions and nine collaborating institutions.

The Sub-Saharan African Consortium for Advanced Biostatistics (SSACAB) is a group of six African and two northern partner institutions and nine collaborating institutions.

The University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, leads the consortium. SSACAB II has secured funding from the Developing Excellence in Leadership, Training, and Science in Africa (DELTAS Africa) program.

DELTAS Africa is an initiative supported by the Science for Africa Foundation (SFA), funded by the Wellcome Trust and the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

The funding’s objective is to enhance biostatistical skills among researchers, establishing centres of excellence for biostatistical research and a network to support researchers with advanced expertise.

The Consortium is currently accepting applications for full-time MSc scholarships in Biostatistics for the academic year 2024. These scholarships have been established to provide financial support and contribute to developing biostatistical expertise in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The aim is to increase the number of researchers and practitioners in this field, as it is experiencing growth in the region due to the rise in biomedical data for population health and research and the demand for quantitative analytical skills.

About DELTAS Africa SSACAB Masters Scholarships

The training program for advanced biostatistics, known as the SSACAB program, is funded by the Wellcome Trust in collaboration with the Science for Africa Foundation. The University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, is leading this initiative, which involves a consortium of seven partners.

DELTAS Africa SSACAB Masters Scholarships

Aim And Benefits Of Scholarships

The selected fellows in the 2024 academic year will receive MSc scholarships that will provide coverage for the following:

• Tuition fees and basic medical insurance.
• A monthly stipend will support accommodation and living expenses.
• Adequate support for the MSc research project and supervision.
• Travel expenses to and from the academic training and host research institutions.

Requirements For Scholarships Qualification

• MSc scholarships are available to individuals who possess a solid foundation in Statistics, Mathematics, Demography, and other quantitative disciplines. Moreover, the program also encourages applications from the following individuals:
  • (1) Qualified individuals from health science fields, including biomedical sciences, pharmacy, and medicine, who could gain valuable insights from pursuing a postgraduate program in biostatistics.
  • (2) Individuals who have finished their master’s coursework need assistance with their studies’ research aspect.
• Applicants who meet the requirements should have already submitted an application for admission to one of the partner or collaborating institutions that provide postgraduate biostatistics degree programs.
• According to the World Bank’s definition, the scholarship is available to individuals from low and middle-income countries in the Sub-Saharan African region who are currently living in the region.
• To be eligible for the MSc program, applicants must be under 35.
• Before applying for the fellowship, applicants must fulfil the admission criteria specified by the universities offering the MSc degree.

Documents Required For Application

Applicants are required to submit the following documents to their academic training institution:

• A detailed curriculum vitae (CV) includes information about your research and work experience, focusing on relevant experiences.
• A letter of motivation wherein you explain your reasons for wanting to pursue an MSc in biostatistics. This letter should highlight your interest, goals, and aspirations in the field.
• Certified copies of your academic transcripts and degree certificates. These documents should demonstrate your educational background and qualifications.
• Provide evidence of acceptance or an application to study biostatistics at a partner institution for the 2024 academic year. This can be in the form of an acceptance letter or proof of your application.
• Two confidential referee reports. These reports should be sent directly to the training institution by your referees. The reports should comprehensively evaluate your abilities, skills, and potential as a biostatistics student.

Application Deadline

July 31, 2023

Scholarship For Developing Countries – DAAD Helmut-Schmidt Masters Scholarship 2024

How To Apply

The application process consists of two distinct stages:

• Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications to their desired host training institution initially. The contact details of each institution and their respective Institutional Leads are listed below for reference.
• Applicants should send their individual written applications for the DELTAS Africa SSACAB II scholarship to Dr Pascalia Munyewende at pascalia.munyewende@wits.ac.za and also send a copy of the application to Prof. Eustatius Musenge at eustatius.musenge@wits.ac.za.

Applicants are required to submit the following documents to the academic training institution as part of their application:

• Provide a detailed resume with your educational background, research involvement, and relevant work experience.
• Submit a letter expressing your motivation and reasons for pursuing a Master of Science (MSc) in biostatistics.
• Include certified copies of your academic transcripts and degree certificates.
• Present evidence of acceptance or application to study Biostatistics at a partnering institution during the academic year of 2024.
• Arrange for two confidential referee reports to be sent directly to the educational institution offering the training.

For more details, visit the DELTAS Africa SSACAB website.