Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit – MARS Awards 2026 Empowering Women and Youth in STEM South-South Collaboration

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: Deadline: 30th June, 2026

Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit – MARS aims to contribute to building research capacity in the African Research Community. This year, special focus will be again on « The Role of Scientific Research in Women Health and Reproductive Caге« .

Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit – MARS 2026 will have scientific support from African Union Scientific-Technical and Research Commission (AU-STRC); African Reproductive Care Society (ARCS), and Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE). The Summit opens a discussion with Ministries of Health, Education, Information, Science and Technology and Gender from across Africa, to define policies with the alm to empower women and youth in STEM and to address the vital role of research in the Improvement and sustalnable development of healthcare system, with a specific emphasis on how to translate knowledge into action the ‘know-do gap’ – to improve health and make an impact on society.

The aim of Merck Foundation African Research Summit – MARS Awards is to empower African young researchers & women researchers, advancing their research capacity and promote their contribution to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). The winners of MARS Awards are recognized under two categories; « Best Young African Researcher » and « Best African Woman Researcher« . The summit will be an unique opportunity for the winners of a MARS Research Awards to share their research output and findings. It is also an opportunity for networking and career development.

Abstracts are invited from final year PhD students, young investigators involved in research and Medical Doctors in Postgraduate Medical Fellowship program related to either of the following topics: – Women Health – Infertility and Reproductive Care All applicants should be primarily based at African Research Institutes and Universities, although collaboration within Africa as well as outside is also welcome. Deadline: 30th June, 2026 Scan the QR code to apply online OR submit your application and abstract to mars@merck-foundation.com MARS 2026 Awards Entries are invited under the below categories: – Best African Women Researchers Best Young African Researcher • The Winners receive a 3 months Research Training scholarship in India Winners will be Invited to attend Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2026

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