Application is open for the 2025 – 2026 Apply for EDCTP COMPASS Fellowship Scheme. It is organized by LSHTM. The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), an internationally recognized institution in global and public health research and education, has partnered with the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) to launch the Creating Opportunities for Master’s Programmes for Africa: Support and Scholarships (COMPASS) Fellowship Scheme.
This initiative forms part of the EDCTP2 Programme, supported by the European Union.
The Deadline for this opportunity: 15 August 2025 at 23:59 GMT
Designed to address strategic gaps in public health research capacity across sub-Saharan Africa, the COMPASS Fellowship offers exceptional African professionals the opportunity to advance their skills in clinical trials and epidemiology through postgraduate training and research-focused internships.
Programme Overview
The COMPASS Fellowship consists of two integrated components:
- Training Component
Fellows will undertake a two-year, part-time Master’s degree in either Clinical Trials or Epidemiology via Distance Learning (MSc by DL) at LSHTM. This flexible, module-based programme allows candidates to continue their professional responsibilities while acquiring advanced theoretical and practical knowledge. - Internship Component
Upon completion of the MSc coursework, fellows may undertake a 6- to 12-month internship, either in their current institution or at another organization involved in health research across sub-Saharan Africa. Internships may focus on either research or policy development. These opportunities are either sourced by LSHTM or self-identified by the fellow. Host institutions must be located in sub-Saharan Africa, actively engaged in health research, and equipped with staff capable of providing mentorship.
Applicants can request:
- A full fellowship (supporting both MSc training and internship); or
- A part fellowship (supporting only the training or internship component).
LSHTM oversees the selection process and administration of the fellowship scheme.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the COMPASS Fellowship, candidates must:
- Be nationals of a sub-Saharan African country.
- Be employed for at least the past 12 months by an organization based in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Be actively involved in research in areas of unmet public health need, including:
- HIV, tuberculosis, malaria
- Neglected infectious diseases
- Diarrhoeal and lower respiratory tract infections
- Emerging/re-emerging infections
- Maternal and child health
- Antimicrobial resistance
- Climate-driven changes in infectious disease patterns
- Co-infections and co-morbidities (including non-communicable conditions related to primary diseases)
- Have employer support, including a commitment to retain the fellow for at least two years post-fellowship.
- Not be receiving funding for the MSc from any source other than their employer.
- Meet LSHTM’s academic requirements for entry to the MSc programmes.
Candidates already enrolled in the MSc by DL programme must either:
- Be in their first year of registration and plan to complete the MSc; or
- Be entering their final year and committed to completing all coursework.
Fellows who voluntarily terminate their employment within two years of completing the fellowship may be required to repay fellowship costs—100% if leaving in the first year, or 50% in the second year—unless transitioning to a comparable institution with mutual agreement.
Encouraged Applicants
LSHTM strongly encourages applications from:
- Women
- Non-anglophone candidates who meet the language requirements
- Candidates from countries with limited research capacity
Those with pre-arranged post-training placements, as well as those seeking placement support, are both welcome to apply.
How to Apply
Interested candidates must apply through the fellowship application portal, separate from the MSc programme application process. Required documentation includes:
- Proof of nationality
- Updated CV
- Letter of support from current employer
- Personal cover letter explaining motivation and suitability
Note: If not already enrolled, candidates must also apply separately to the relevant MSc by DL programme (Clinical Trials or Epidemiology). The fellowship offer is conditional upon acceptance to the MSc programme.
Application deadline: 15 August 2025 at 23:59 GMT
More details are available on LSHTM’s official website under the Fees and Funding section.
This fellowship represents a unique opportunity to empower researchers across sub-Saharan Africa with the knowledge, skills, and networks required to address pressing public health challenges in their communities and across the region.