Who can apply

You can apply for a Master’s Fellowship in Public Health and Tropical Medicine if you:

• are a national of a low- or middle-income country
• hold a clinical or non-clinical undergraduate degree in a subject relevant to public health or tropical medicine.

You must also:

• be at an early stage in your career with limited research experience (but you must have a demonstrated interest in, or aptitude for, research)
• have sponsorship from an eligible host organisation in a low- or middle-income country
• have a research proposal that is within our public health and tropical medicine remit.

Go to the World Bank website(opens in a new tab) to see a list of low- and middle-income countries.

Who can’t apply

You can’t apply if you’re:

• intending to be based in the UK, Republic of Ireland or another high-income country(opens in a new tab) (although your taught course can be anywhere in the world)
• a researcher in India – instead see the Wellcome Trust/Department of Biotechnology India Alliance(opens in a new tab)
• currently applying for another Wellcome Trust fellowship.

What we’re looking for

Your research proposal should focus on an area within our public health and tropical medicine remit. Research can include laboratory-based molecular analysis of field or clinical samples, but we don’t normally consider projects focused solely on studies in vitro or using animal models.

We’re particularly interested in requests for research training support in the social sciences, demography, health economics, medical statistics and vector biology.

When we consider your application, we’ll look at:

• the quality and importance of your research question(s)
• the feasibility of your approach to solving these problems
• the suitability of your choice of research environments
• the suitability of the Master’s course you select – it should take place at a recognised centre of excellence and provide you with training that will complement your research project.

What’s expected of your host organisation

You must be based at an eligible host organisation in a low- or middle-income country for the research project. This can be at a not-for-profit host organisation that we have checked for eligibility and that has signed up to our grant conditions.

Your host organisation must submit your application to us.

Sponsor and supervisor

You should give careful thought to your choice of sponsor and supervisor. Your sponsor should:

• hold an established post for the duration of the fellowship
• have an ongoing research programme
• have a strong track record in research, training and mentorship
• provide you with guidance during the application process and fellowship.

Your sponsor should not expect you to spend more than eight hours a week on non-research activities (eg clinical duties, teaching or administration).

Your sponsor’s support and mentorship should be part of a longer-term commitment to help you achieve your career aspirations.

You should also identify a supervisor who will be responsible for the day-to-day supervision of your research project. We expect you to identify additional supervisors for each period that you spend outside your host organisation, including your taught course.

You can nominate your sponsor as a supervisor, if appropriate.