MAKERERE UNIVERSITY OPENS 2026 FELLOWSHIPS FOR POSTDOC, PHD AND MASTERS RESEARCHERS

Makerere University has opened applications for the Mak-BSSR Postdoc, PhD, Master’s Fellowship-level Training 2026, offering research training opportunities in Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (BSSR) with a focus on HIV. The five-year programme is implemented in partnership with the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and funded by the Fogarty International Center of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Researchers and postgraduate students interested in HIV-related behavioral and social science research have an opportunity to apply for the Mak-BSSR Postdoc, PhD, Master’s and Fellowship-level Training 2026 at Makerere University.

The programme is being offered through the Makerere University Behavioral and Social Science Research (Mak-BSSR) in HIV Training Program, in partnership with the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).

According to the official Makerere University announcement, the programme is a five-year research training initiative on the HIV cascade and is funded by the Fogarty International Center (FIC) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Applications are currently open, with the deadline set for Monday, 31 August 2026 at 6:00 PM East Africa Time (EAT).

Background & Fellowship Description

The Mak-BSSR programme is designed to strengthen research training in Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (BSSR), with a specific focus on HIV.

The programme provides opportunities at several levels, including:

Post-doctoral research training
PhD-level training
Master’s-level training
Fellowship-level training

The partnership between Makerere University and UCSF provides an academic and research environment focused on understanding behavioral and social factors associated with HIV outcomes.

The programme’s focus on the HIV cascade makes it relevant to researchers whose work examines the social, psychological and behavioral factors that influence HIV prevention, treatment and outcomes.

The initiative is part of broader efforts to build research capacity and support evidence-based approaches to HIV-related challenges.

Research Priority Areas

Applicants should pay close attention to the programme’s identified research priority areas.

According to the official call, the training opportunities will focus on five key areas:

1. Intersectional Stigma

Research may examine how different forms of stigma intersect and influence people’s experiences and HIV-related outcomes.

2. Alcohol and Substance Use

Another priority area is the relationship between alcohol or substance use and HIV-related outcomes.

This area provides opportunities for research examining behavioral factors that may affect HIV prevention, care and treatment.

3. Mental Health and Psychosocial Health

Mental health and psychosocial wellbeing are also identified as priority areas.

Research in this area can contribute to understanding how psychological and social factors interact with HIV-related experiences and outcomes.

4. Limited Social Support, Social Isolation and Loneliness

The programme also highlights limited social support, social isolation and loneliness and their impact on HIV outcomes.

This reflects the importance of understanding the social environment surrounding people affected by or living with HIV.

5. Ageism and HIV

The final priority area focuses on ageism and HIV.

Research in this area can contribute to understanding how age-related discrimination and social factors may influence HIV-related experiences and outcomes.

Who Can Benefit From the Programme?

The announcement identifies opportunities for researchers and trainees at postdoctoral, PhD, Master’s and fellowship levels.

Because the official announcement directs applicants to the detailed application materials for specific requirements, prospective applicants should carefully review the relevant programme documents before preparing their applications.

Applicants should ensure that their academic and research interests align with the programme’s focus on Behavioral and Social Sciences Research and HIV.

The research priority areas should also be considered when determining whether the opportunity is a suitable match.

Research and Academic Development

The Mak-BSSR training programme offers an opportunity for researchers to develop expertise in behavioral and social science approaches to HIV research.

Participants can potentially use the training environment to deepen their understanding of research questions surrounding stigma, substance use, mental health, social support, isolation, loneliness and ageism.

The programme is particularly relevant to researchers seeking to contribute evidence that can improve understanding of the social and behavioral dimensions of HIV.

The collaboration between Makerere University and UCSF also places the opportunity within an international academic and research partnership.

Why This Fellowship Opportunity Matters

HIV research increasingly requires more than biomedical approaches alone. Behavioral, psychological and social factors can influence how people experience healthcare systems, access services and respond to prevention and treatment interventions.

The Mak-BSSR programme’s focus on these dimensions creates an opportunity for researchers to investigate important questions surrounding HIV outcomes.

The programme’s five priority areas also provide a clear framework for applicants to consider when developing or positioning their research interests.

For postgraduate researchers and early-career academics interested in HIV and behavioral or social science research, the opportunity can provide a pathway for specialised research training within a major African university.

Application Deadline

The application deadline is:

Monday, 31 August 2026 at 6:00 PM EAT

Applicants should avoid waiting until the final hours to submit their applications. It is advisable to review the official application materials carefully, prepare the required documents and ensure that all submission requirements are satisfied before the deadline.

How to Apply

Makerere University has published detailed application information for the different levels of the Mak-BSSR training programme.

The official announcement provides downloadable application materials for the PhD and Master’s opportunities.

Prospective applicants should review the official programme documentation to confirm the specific requirements, application procedures and supporting documents applicable to their level of training.

Because the programme is being offered by Makerere University in partnership with UCSF, applicants should rely on the official university information when preparing and submitting their applications.

Important Details at a Glance

Programme: Mak-BSSR Behavioral and Social Science Research in HIV Training Program

Institution: Makerere University

Partner Institution: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)

Training Levels: Postdoctoral, PhD, Master’s and Fellowship-level

Research Focus: Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (BSSR) with a focus on HIV

Programme Duration: Five-year research training programme

Funding Source: Fogarty International Center (FIC), National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Research Areas: Intersectional stigma; alcohol/substance use; mental health and psychosocial health; limited social support, social isolation and loneliness and their impact on HIV outcomes; ageism and HIV

Application Deadline: 31 August 2026 at 6:00 PM EAT

Final Thoughts

The Makerere University Mak-BSSR Postdoc, PhD, Master’s and Fellowship-level Training 2026 provides an opportunity for researchers and postgraduate trainees interested in behavioral and social science approaches to HIV research.

The five-year programme is implemented by Makerere University in partnership with UCSF and funded by the Fogarty International Center of the NIH.

With research priorities covering intersectional stigma, alcohol and substance use, mental health, social support and isolation, loneliness, and ageism, the programme addresses a range of important social and behavioral dimensions of HIV.

Eligible researchers and postgraduate students should carefully review the official programme materials and ensure their research interests align with the stated priorities before applying.

The deadline is 31 August 2026 at 6:00 PM EAT, making early preparation important for applicants interested in this research training opportunity.

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