In many parts of Africa and other developing regions, the shortage of specialized healthcare professionals continues to hinder quality healthcare delivery. To address this critical challenge, the Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, is offering a remarkable opportunity for medical graduates across Africa and developing nations. The Merck Foundation Scholarships 2025 are now open, aimed at building healthcare capacity and transforming patient care in critical and underserved medical specialties.
Through fully funded postgraduate diplomas, master’s, and clinical training programs in partnership with top institutions, these scholarships target healthcare providers committed to returning to their communities and improving access to equitable and quality care. With a focus on specialties like Diabetes, Oncology, Endocrinology, Psychiatry, and many others, the foundation is prioritizing French-speaking, Portuguese-speaking, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) with limited resources.
This article details everything you need to know — eligibility, benefits, how to apply, course offerings, and more.
Related Post: MEXT Scholarship 2025
Overview & Purpose
Since launching in 2012, the Merck Foundation (the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA, Germany) has partnered with African First Ladies, Ministries of Health, medical societies, and academic institutions to bridge major healthcare gaps by extending fully funded scholarships and fellowships in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties. These programs include one-year postgraduate diplomas, two-year master’s degrees, and on-site clinical fellowship training, particularly aimed at professionals in Africa, Asia, and other developing countries.
As of April 2025, the Merck Foundation has distributed over 2,250 scholarships across 52 countries—with approximately 1,800+ in Africa and Asia—embracing fields such as oncology, diabetes, preventative cardiovascular medicine, embryology & fertility, acute and critical care, pediatrics, internal medicine, psychiatry, trauma & orthopedics, general surgery, clinical microbiology, women’s health, and many others.
Why This Initiative Matters
- Many countries previously had none or very few specialists in areas like oncology or reproductive medicine. Now, hundreds of doctors are becoming first-of-their-kind in their countries, such as The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Chad, Guinea, Burundi, Central African Republic, Ethiopia, and more.
- Nearly 50% of recipients are female doctors, advancing women’s leadership in fields such as reproductive healthcare and oncology.
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Host | Merck Foundation in collaboration with African First Ladies, Ministries of Health, Medical Societies |
| Eligible Countries | Developing countries and underserved communities across Africa, Asia, Latin America |
| Fields Offered | 44 critical and underserved specialties (e.g. Oncology, Diabetes, Critical Care, Fertility, Neurosurgery, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Internal Medicine, Trauma & Orthopedics…) |
| Program Types | 44 critical and underserved specialties (e.g., oncology, Diabetes, Critical Care, Fertility, Neurosurgery, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Internal Medicine, Trauma & Orthopedics…) |
| Duration | 1–2 years depending on course |
| Mode | Merck Foundation, in collaboration with African First Ladies, Ministries of Health, Medical Societies |
| Application Channel | Online/In-Campus/Clinical Fellowship |
| Year of Current Call | Applications submitted through the offices of First Ladies, Ministry of Health, or affiliated Medical Societies in each eligible country |
| Deadline | Not publicly listed—applicants must monitor announcements via their national First Lady Office or Ministry of Health |
| Focus on | especially female medical graduates and countries with few or no local specialists in key disciplines |
Available Study Options
1. Online Postgraduate Diploma Programmes (1 year)
Diplomas offered via partner universities cover subjects including (but not limited to):
- Diabetes
- Preventative Cardiovascular Medicine
- Sexual & Reproductive Medicine
- Endocrinology
- Respiratory Medicine
- Acute Medicine
- Rheumatology
- Gastroenterology
- Dermatology
- Clinical Psychiatry
- Medical Oncology
- Obesity & Weight Management
- Women’s Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Urology
- Family Medicine
- Pediatrics & Child Health
- Pain Management
- Cardiology
- Stroke Medicine
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery (duration may vary)
- Emergency & Resuscitation Medicine (21 months)
- Laparoscopic Surgical Skills (21 months)
- Neonatal Medicine (2 years)
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine (2 years)
- Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases
- Neuroimaging for Research
- And more.
2. In-Campus/Fellowship Training (1–3 years)
Specialties such as oncology, fertility & embryology, critical care, and advanced clinical disciplines are offered through residential clinical fellowships in partner institutions in India, Kenya, and Egypt. These include structured hands-on training and postgraduate mentorship in disciplines crucial to public health capacity building.
3. Master’s Degree Programmes (2 years)
Disciplines offered at the postgraduate level include
- Diabetes & Endocrinology
- Biotechnology of Human Assisted Reproduction & Embryology
- Advanced Surgical Practice
- Cancer & Clinical Oncology
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine & Neonatal Medicine
- Internal Medicine
- Neuroimaging for Research
- Others in high-impact areas lack specialists regionally.
What the Scholarship Covers
Online Diplomas:
- Tuition and registration fees covered
- Course materials provided
- Duration typically 12 months with entry-level eligibility
Master’s Degree:
- Full tuition coverage
- Living stipend provided if residential arrangement required (varies by hosting university)
In-Campus or Clinical Fellowships:
- All tuition and training-related fees
- Living stipend or allowance
- Travel and relocation support (if applicable)
In general, no financial obligation falls on the candidate. These programs are fully funded, including support for travel, visas, and specialist placements, with funding facilitated through national public bodies and academic organizations in partnership with the Merck Foundation and First Lady Offices.
Eligibility Criteria for the Merck Foundation Scholarship
To qualify, applicants typically must:
- Be a medical graduate or healthcare provider (often doctors) holding a relevant degree
- Be working or committed to working in public-sector or underserved healthcare settings
- Be nominated or endorsed through First Lady’s Office, Ministry of Health, Medical Society, or equivalent partner body in their country
- Show alignment with the country’s healthcare needs—e.g., areas with few existing specialists in key domains such as oncology or fertility medicine
- In many cases, female candidates receive prioritized support, especially in reproductive health fields.
Note: Applicants do not apply independently via public portals—applications are coordinated via institutional partners to target national healthcare priorities.
How to Apply for the Merck Foundation Scholarship
- Announcements and candidate selection are managed locally via national First Lady Offices and Ministries of Health. Each country’s partner office declares a call for applications and forwards aspirant portfolios to the Merck Foundation for final review.
- There is no standardized or central deadline; calls may open or close depending on partner timelines.
- Interested individuals should stay alert to public notices through First Lady newsletters, Ministry of Health bulletins, or Medical Society communications.
- Once pre-selected, candidates will be notified and then guided to complete application forms via the foundation’s online portals, following their instructions.
Documents & Application Requirements
While exact document requirements vary by country and program type, candidates may be asked to submit:
- Medical degree certificate and transcripts
- Relevant professional experience documents
- Letter(s) of endorsement or nomination from the ministry, Medical Society, or prescribed authority
- Proof of service commitment in home country’s healthcare sector
- In-campus programs may require standardized English proficiency (e.g., IELTS/TOEFL)
- For online diplomas, language may vary depending on course provider
- Any additional project proposals or plans (particularly for master’s or fellows)
Recent Impact & Statistics
- In 2024, the Merck Foundation awarded over 1,740 scholarships to doctors across 52 countries, across the same 44 specialties, supporting healthcare infrastructure in underserved regions.
- By April 2025, that number exceeded 2,250 scholarships, with nearly 50% awarded to female physicians as part of their women empowerment initiatives and partnership with the “More Than a Mother” campaign.
- Many alumni become first-ever specialists in their nations—for example, surgeons, oncologists, and IVF embryologists—helping build local capacity where none had existed.
For More Information:
- Applications are routed via partner institutions—check with your country’s First Lady humanitarian office, Ministry of Health, or academic partner, as they manage calls for nominations.
- For general program information and updates, visit the Merck Foundation website and follow World Health Day announcements, particularly April 2025 materials noting the expanded call across 52 countries.
Final Thoughts
The Merck Foundation’s 2025 Capacity Advancement and Medical Training Scholarships are a flagship healthcare development initiative, fully funded and life-changing for medical professionals from underserved regions. Whether it’s through one-year online diplomas, two-year master’s programs, or clinical fellowships in critical fields, the program equips healthcare providers to lead change in countries with limited specialist access.
Success requires coordination with national healthcare bodies—so aspiring applicants should monitor announcements via First Lady offices, Ministries of Health, or national medical societies in their countries. If invited, comprehensive support is provided: tuition, training, stipends, and logistical assistance—no costs to the participant.
If you’re a healthcare professional from a developing country and committed to serving your community, this could be your opportunity to make a lasting impact through world-class specialist training.
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