Cape Town, 22 April 2025 — The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) presented its Strategic Plan (2025/26–2029/30) and Annual Performance Plan (2025/26) to the Portfolio Committee on Health today, outlining its continued commitment to advancing health research and addressing inequality in South Africa.

Presented by Professor Ntobeko Ntusi, the newly appointed President and CEO as of July 2024, the plan prioritizes transformation, innovation, and health equity. The SAMRC acknowledged its historical context, including the impact of apartheid on health access, and reaffirmed its role in promoting justice and dignity through science.

Key Focus Areas and Strategic Priorities

The SAMRC emphasized five core programmes:

1. Governance and Administration – Maintaining clean audits and financial efficiency, with administration capped at 20% of budget allocations.

2. Health Research and Knowledge Generation – Increasing the output of high-impact publications and supporting over 1,000 research grants over the next five years.

3. Health Innovation – Supporting nearly 200 innovation projects to enhance healthcare technologies.

4. Human Capacity Development – Funding capacity-building for over 600 postgraduate researchers, with a strong focus on gender and racial equity.

5. Research Translation – Bridging the gap between science and policy with a target of 250 policy references and supported events by 2029/30.

Response to Funding Challenges

Following reductions in U.S. funding, the SAMRC identified four critical areas requiring domestic support: postgraduate student funding, early-career researchers, key research groups, and ethical closure of clinical studies.

Financial Outlook

With revenue projected to reach R2.2 billion by 2027/28, the SAMRC expects steady growth driven by non-tax revenue and government transfers. It plans to allocate the majority of its budget to current expenses, primarily staff compensation and research activities.

Risk Mitigation and Strategic Partnerships

Key risks include cyber threats, funding limitations, and skill shortages. Mitigation strategies involve policy updates, cybersecurity training, and enhanced collaboration with local and international partners.

The SAMRC also endorsed the Rio de Janeiro Declaration, committing to health sovereignty and improved access to diagnostics, vaccines, and medications in the Global South during public health emergencies.

The presentation reinforced the SAMRC’s role in supporting a resilient, equitable health system, leveraging science and partnerships to address South Africa’s pressing health challenge.