Reference Number: Masters Project 01/2026
Supervisors: Prof Sam Kinyanjui and Dr Jacob Kazungu
Duration: 12 months
Mode: Full-time, operating between Kilifi and Nairobi
Country: Kenya
ABOUT THE PROGRAMME
KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme (KWTRP) is offering sponsored opportunities for talented master's students to undertake their research projects at the Programme’s facilities in Nairobi or Kilifi, Kenya. The placement will provide recipients with opportunities to carry out their projects within a high-quality research environment and under the supervision and mentorship of internationally renowned KWTRP scientists. Interested applicants must be registered at a local university in Kenya and will be offered (if successful) a stipend for up to 12 months.
AVAILABLE RESEARCH PROJECT
Project Title: Economic Evaluation of Research Strengthening Initiatives.
There is a strong consensus that African countries need to urgently strengthen their research ecosystems. This has led to the establishment of multiple initiatives to meet this call through the provision of graduate and postgraduate training. However, there is little data on the return on investment of these initiatives. This is in part due to the lack of a robust post-training alumnae tracking system. This Master's fellowship aims to provide experiential training and mentorship in economic evaluation, focusing on the return on investment made over 16 years by the Initiative to Develop African Research Leaders (IDeAL), which is hosted by the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme.
ELIGIBILITY
Applicants must already be registered for a master’s programme in economics, have completed all taught modules, including passing all exams, and be seeking an opportunity to undertake their research project. Additionally, applicants must have achieved a B+ or higher in their KSCE and attained at least an upper 2nd-class degree or its equivalent in the respective undergraduate degree programme.
SCOPE OF SUPPORT
- Non-taxable monthly stipend
- Medical cover
- Data collection costs
- Research related travel costs.
- Research related IT costs.
APPLICATION PROCESS
You can apply for two positions in one application by applying for the position you're mostly interested in (1st preference) and then specifying a 2nd preference when completing your application. Note that this applies only when more than one studentship position is advertised.
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Click on the title of a position you're interested in to see the full description of the post.
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A link to apply will be available at the bottom of the page.
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Click on the submit application link and complete the resulting form. You’ll first need to create an account and update your profile, then apply for the preferred position.
SELECTION
Studentships are awarded competitively through shortlisting of online applications and subsequent interviews. Before starting their research projects, successful applicants are expected to submit evidence of strong support from their registering university and their current university supervisors (main supervisor). This should be in the form of a certified written letter. In addition to their university supervisors, successful applicants are allocated KWTRP-based supervisors based on their preferred projects, as indicated in their application forms.
NOTE: ONLY ONLINE APPLICATIONS will be accepted.
STARTING DATE: To be communicated.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: January 25, 2026
NOTE: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted
NOTE: This studentship does not cover any form of university fees