South Africa faces a shortage of clinician-scientists—medical and dental professionals who combine clinical expertise with research skills. This limits the country’s capacity for evidence-based practice, translational research, and leadership in the health sector.
The Clinician-Scientist Development Programme, led by the South African Medical Research Council’s Division of Research Capacity Development (RCD), provides integrated clinical and research training at South African universities. It aims to develop a new generation of clinician-scientists capable of conducting high-impact research and assuming leadership roles in academia, clinical services, and research institutions.
By supporting early-career clinician-scientists, the programme strengthens South Africa’s capacity for research-led healthcare innovation, builds leadership in clinical and academic settings, and fosters a sustainable pipeline of professionals driving evidence-based improvements in health outcomes.
Capacity building
Early clinician-scientist
