Call For Applications: Mak-BSSR Postdoc, PhD, Master’s Fellowship-level Training 2026

The Mak-BSSR Postdoc, PhD, Master’s Fellowship-level Training 2026 is inviting applications for research training opportunities in Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (BSSR), with a focus on HIV. The five-year programme is offered through Makerere University in partnership with the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), with applications closing on August 31, 2026.

Researchers and postgraduate students interested in HIV research, behavioral science, social science and public health have an opportunity to apply for the Mak-BSSR Postdoc, PhD, Master’s Fellowship-level Training 2026 at Makerere University.

The programme is part of the Makerere University-Behavioral and Social Science Research (Mak-BSSR) in HIV Training Program and is being implemented in partnership with the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). According to Makerere University’s published announcement, the programme offers opportunities at postdoctoral, PhD, Master’s and fellowship levels.

The training programme focuses on behavioral and social science research related to HIV and is designed around several priority research areas. Interested applicants should carefully review the official call and supporting documents before preparing their applications.

Background & Fellowship Description

The Mak-BSSR in HIV Training Program is a five-year research training initiative focused on the HIV cascade. The programme is funded by the Fogarty International Center (FIC) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and is implemented through Makerere University’s research and academic environment in collaboration with UCSF.

The opportunity is relevant to candidates seeking advanced research training in behavioral and social sciences, particularly where social and behavioral factors intersect with HIV outcomes.

The programme’s stated research priority areas include:

Intersectional stigma
Alcohol and substance use
Mental health and psychosocial health
Limited social support, social isolation and loneliness and their impact on HIV outcomes
Ageism and HIV

These themes provide an indication of the research areas applicants should consider when assessing their academic interests and suitability for the programme.

The announcement covers multiple levels of training, making the opportunity potentially relevant to researchers and postgraduate students at different stages of their academic careers.

Tasks and Research Focus

Successful participants will undertake training and research activities aligned with the objectives of the Mak-BSSR programme.

The central focus is Behavioral and Social Sciences Research in HIV, with research priority areas addressing social, behavioral and psychosocial factors that can influence HIV-related outcomes.

Applicants interested in this opportunity should therefore demonstrate a clear connection between their academic or research interests and the programme’s stated areas.

Potential research themes include:

Intersectional Stigma

Research may examine how different forms of stigma intersect and influence experiences and outcomes among people affected by HIV.

Alcohol and Substance Use

Another priority area focuses on the relationship between alcohol or substance use and HIV-related outcomes.

Mental and Psychosocial Health

The programme also identifies mental health and psychosocial health as important research priorities.

Social Support and Isolation

Limited social support, social isolation and loneliness are identified as research areas, particularly in relation to their impact on HIV outcomes.

Ageism and HIV

Ageism and its relationship to HIV is another specific area highlighted in the call.

These priority areas can help prospective applicants determine whether their research interests align with the programme before submitting an application.

Qualifications and Eligibility

The source announcement confirms that the programme is open to applicants interested in Post-doctoral, PhD, Master’s and Fellowship-level training opportunities in Behavioral and Social Sciences Research with a focus on HIV.

However, the announcement provided on the Makerere University News page directs applicants to the downloadable call documents for detailed information.

Applicants should therefore consult the official programme documents for the precise eligibility criteria, academic requirements, application components and any programme-specific conditions.

Education and Academic Background

Because the opportunity covers several academic levels, requirements are expected to differ according to whether an applicant is applying for postdoctoral, PhD, Master’s or fellowship-level training.

Candidates should review the relevant call document for the training level they intend to pursue.

Research Interests

A strong alignment with behavioral and social science research and HIV is important because the programme is specifically designed around these fields.

Applicants should carefully compare their proposed or existing research interests with the five priority areas identified by the programme.

Supporting Documentation

The official Makerere announcement states that detailed information is available through the downloads accompanying the call. Applicants should use those documents to confirm all required materials before submitting an application.

Application Deadline

The application deadline for the Mak-BSSR training opportunity is:

Monday, August 31, 2026, at 6:00 PM EAT.

Applicants should avoid waiting until the final hours to prepare their submissions. Reviewing the relevant programme document early can help ensure that all required information and supporting materials are ready before the deadline.

The official announcement provides separate downloadable materials for the PhD and Master’s calls.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should begin by reviewing the official Mak-BSSR call documents published through Makerere University.

The announcement specifically advises applicants to see the downloads for detailed information. This is important because the main announcement does not contain every requirement for each training level.

Before submitting an application, candidates should:

Identify the appropriate training level.
Download and carefully read the relevant call document.
Confirm that their academic and research background meets the stated requirements.
Review the programme’s priority research areas.
Prepare all required supporting documents.
Submit the application before the August 31, 2026 deadline.

Applicants should rely on the official Makerere University materials for the most complete and authoritative application instructions.

Why This Opportunity Matters

Research capacity in behavioral and social sciences remains important to understanding and addressing HIV-related challenges. The Mak-BSSR programme provides a structured research-training opportunity focused specifically on the behavioral and social dimensions of HIV.

Its research priorities cover issues such as stigma, substance use, mental health, social isolation and ageism, demonstrating a broad approach to understanding factors that can affect HIV outcomes.

For postgraduate students and researchers whose interests align with these themes, the programme may provide an opportunity to develop research expertise while contributing to work in an important public health field.

The involvement of Makerere University, UCSF and the Fogarty International Center-funded training programme also provides a strong academic and research context for the opportunity.

Final Thoughts

The Mak-BSSR Postdoc, PhD, Master’s Fellowship-level Training 2026 offers research training opportunities across multiple academic levels for candidates interested in behavioral and social sciences research focused on HIV.

The programme’s priority areas include intersectional stigma, alcohol and substance use, mental and psychosocial health, social support and isolation, and ageism and HIV.

With the application deadline set for August 31, 2026, at 6:00 PM EAT, prospective applicants should review the official call documents as soon as possible and confirm the requirements applicable to their chosen training level.

This article is an independent presentation of information published by Makerere University. TheGlobeNest is not affiliated with or representing Makerere University, UCSF, NIH or the Mak-BSSR programme.

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