Call for Applications: Master’s Research Support – DASH Project 2025/26

Deadline: 11:59 pm on 22^nd August 2025.

Background

Annually, 1.2 million adolescents die prematurely due to preventable or treatable causes, while many more suffer from poor health and disability. A high share of the global mortality and morbidity burden in adolescence occurs in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Adolescence is also a critical stage of life when important physical, cognitive, and social developments take place, and critical behaviors related to diet, exercise, alcohol and tobacco use, violence, and sexual behaviour are developed. These developments and behaviours determine and shape behaviours well into adulthood and, with it, long-term health outcomes. Improving adolescent health, therefore, is paramount for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and creating healthy societies.

Under the Research Network for Design and Evaluation of Adolescent Health Interventions and Policies in Sub-Saharan Africa (DASH) Project, Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) is collaborating with other institutions in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) to evaluate interventions aimed at addressing key health challenges among adolescents and young adults in SSA. The project is working within three main domains: i) nutrition & physical activity, ii) sexual & reproductive health, and iii) mental health & violence (including loneliness and substance use).

Master’s Degree Support Opportunity

As part of capacity building from our project, four master’s degree student support slots are available for suitably qualified individuals with an interest in advancing their knowledge and research skills in any of the domains described above. The master’s degree students must be Ugandan citizens and Makerere University registered students currently completing their first year, moving on to their second year in the academic year 2025/2026. Successful applicants will receive full financial support for their tuition and functional fees for one academic year, 2025/2026, conditional on submitting a clearly written research concept with a focus on any one of the project’s research domains described above. Beneficiaries will also be welcome to use our project data for their dissertation, where applicable.

Eligibility

1. Currently pursuing a master’s degree in a program at Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH).
2. A Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of at least 3.6 in their bachelor’s degree,
3. A CGPA of at least 3.6 during their Year One in a master’s degree program at MakSPH
4. Submission of a no longer than 4-page research concept (font type and size Arial 11, single spacing), describing the possible master’s degree dissertation research concept in one of the DASH project domains described above. The concept must have at least the following sections: a) Brief background, b) research problem, c) research hypotheses/conceptual framework for the research, d) specific objectives, e) study design and study population, and f) analysis plan
5. Applicants must be Ugandan citizens, and a copy of their national ID card must be attached
6. Applicants should be no older than 35 years

How to apply:

Eligible students should email their application document that must include the following (as a single PDF file):

1. A 1-page typewritten application letter addressed to the Dean, Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH), with the subject line “Application for a Master’s Degree Student Support on the DASH Project.”
2. A signed and stamped copy of the testimonial showing academic performance during Year One of the master’s degree at MakSPH
3. Copies of the relevant academic transcripts, including those of the bachelor’s degree
4. A copy of their national identification card
5. A no longer than 4-page proposed master’s degree dissertation concept as described above

The above application documents must be submitted as a SINGLE PDF FILE to the following email address: recruitment@musph.ac.ug, with the email subject line “Application for a master’s degree student support on the DASH Project.” The deadline for submission is 11:59 pm on 22^nd August 2025.

NB:

1. Any application document that does not comply with all the specifications stated above will not be considered.
2. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

About The Author

Okeya John

Assistant Communications Officer, MakSPH.

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