Call for Applications: Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit (MARS) Awards 2025

Call for Applications: Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit (MARS) Awards 2025

Call for Applications: Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit (MARS) Awards 2025: Call for Applications: Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit (MARS) Awards 2025, the health and well-being of Africa’s population, particularly women, continue to face numerous systemic and structural challenges that hinder access to quality healthcare and research opportunities. In response to these concerns, initiatives like the Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit (MARS) Awards have emerged as a transformative force in recognizing and strengthening the work of researchers on the continent. The MARS Awards 2025 stands out as a unique platform aimed at empowering African researchers, fostering a new generation of scientists, and placing a strategic focus on women’s health, reproductive care, and fertility management—areas that are critical for the sustainable development of Africa.

The Merck Foundation, established in 2017 as the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, is globally renowned for its commitment to improving health outcomes in underserved communities. Through the MARS Awards, the foundation continues to build on its long-standing mission of enhancing scientific research, promoting gender equity in science, and closing knowledge and skills gaps that impede health research in Africa. The 2025 edition of the awards brings renewed focus and energy to empowering young researchers and female scientists, particularly those tackling Africa-specific health challenges with high impact potential.

This year’s awards not only aim to recognize excellence but also serve as a launchpad for more collaborative, evidence-based policymaking and innovation in healthcare across African nations. By specifically targeting PhD students, early-career researchers, and medical professionals involved in postgraduate programs, the MARS Awards 2025 is designed to encourage research that directly contributes to solving real-life health issues—such as infertility, maternal mortality, adolescent reproductive education, and access to care.

What makes the MARS Awards truly unique is their commitment to practical engagement. Winners are not only acknowledged for their academic achievements, but are also provided with hands-on research training, global networking opportunities, and mentorship from international health experts.

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This blend of academic recognition and career development makes the MARS Awards 2025 a coveted opportunity for any ambitious researcher seeking to leave a mark in public health.

Moreover, the MARS platform offers visibility beyond the continent. Award recipients often present their research findings at international summits and partner institutions, significantly enhancing their global scientific footprint. The long-term objective is to create a robust pipeline of African health researchers capable of contributing to global discussions on public health and policy, while simultaneously addressing local health disparities.

The call for applications for the 2025 MARS Awards is more than just a submission deadline—it is a clarion call to African scholars to actively participate in the continent’s transformation through science. It represents a push toward research-driven solutions to Africa’s unique health problems, with particular emphasis on elevating the voices of women researchers whose work is often underrepresented in scientific circles.

Moreover, the MARS Awards 2025 embody the core values of scientific innovation, equity, and sustainable development. As Africa continues to grapple with multifaceted health crises, the importance of such initiatives cannot be overstated. For young and upcoming researchers, especially women, this award is not just a badge of honor but a gateway to influence, impact, and international collaboration in the field of healthcare.

The Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit (MARS) Awards 2025 presents a significant opportunity for African researchers, particularly focusing on women’s health and reproductive care. This initiative aims to empower African researchers by providing them with the necessary resources and platforms to advance their work in critical health areas.innovation-africa.org+5african.business+5innovation-africa.org+5

About Merck Foundation and MARS

Established in 2017, the Merck Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany. It is dedicated to improving healthcare access and building research capacity across Africa and Asia. The MARS Awards are a flagship program of the foundation, aiming to recognize and support outstanding African researchers in the fields of women’s health, infertility, and reproductive care.innovation-africa.org+1african.business+1

The MARS Awards are conducted in partnership with esteemed organizations such as the African Union Scientific Technical Research Commission (AU-STRC), Africa Reproductive Care Society (ARCS), and Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE). These collaborations ensure that the awards are aligned with continental health priorities and global research standards.en.wikipedia.org+3innovation-africa.org+3african.business+3

Objectives of the MARS Awards 2025

The primary goals of the MARS Awards 2025 include:

• Empowering African Researchers: Providing support and recognition to researchers working on women’s health and reproductive care.scholarshipair.com+5africasolutionsmediahub.org+5african.business+5

• Promoting Gender Equality in STEM: Encouraging the participation of women in scientific research and recognizing their contributions.

• Enhancing Research Capacity: Offering training opportunities to improve research skills and methodologies.

• Fostering Collaboration: Creating networks among African researchers and institutions to promote collaborative research efforts.instagram.com+10instagram.com+10innovation-africa.org+10

Eligibility Criteria

The MARS Awards 2025 are open to:

• Final-year African PhD Students: Those engaged in research related to women’s health, infertility, or reproductive care.worldecomag.com+5africasolutionsmediahub.org+5scholarshipair.com+5

• Young Investigators: Early-career researchers involved in relevant health research areas.

• Medical Doctors in Postgraduate Medical Fellowship Programs: Doctors specializing in fields related to the award themes.

Additional Requirements:

• Applicants must be primarily based at African research institutes or universities.african.business+2scholarshipair.com+2innovation-africa.org+2

• Collaborations within Africa and with institutions outside the continent are encouraged.african.business+2scholarshipair.com+2innovation-africa.org+2

Award Categories

The MARS Awards 2025 will recognize excellence in two main categories:

1. Best African Women Researchers: Celebrating outstanding contributions by female researchers in the specified health areas.africasolutionsmediahub.org+2en.wikipedia.org+2innovation-africa.org+2

2. Best Young African Researchers: Acknowledging exceptional work by young researchers under the age of 40.scholarshipair.com+1innovation-africa.org+1

Benefits for Awardees

Winners of the MARS Awards 2025 will receive:

• Research Training Scholarship: A three-month research training program at a prestigious institute in India, enhancing their research capabilities.scholarshipair.com+3innovation-africa.org+3african.business+3

• Invitation to Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2025: An opportunity to attend and present their research at this significant conference, facilitating networking and exposure.

Application Process

Submission Deadline: June 30, 2025worldecomag.com+2africasolutionsmediahub.org+2scholarshipair.com+2

How to Apply:

• Online Application: Fill out the application form available at the Merck Foundation website.african.business+12merck-foundation.com+12scholarshipair.com+12

• Email Submission: Send your application and abstract to mars@merck-foundation.com. Ensure to include your CV with details such as name, gender, country, university/hospital name, email address, and mobile number.innovation-africa.org+1scholarshipair.com+1

Abstract Requirements:

• Focus on topics related to women’s health, infertility, or reproductive care.innovation-africa.org+5scholarshipair.com+5africasolutionsmediahub.org+5

• Clearly state the research objectives, methodology, results, and conclusions.

• Ensure the abstract is concise, not exceeding 300 words.

Evaluation and Selection

The evaluation and selection process for the Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit (MARS) Awards 2025 is a comprehensive and rigorous system designed to identify research excellence with real-world application in the African context. This process serves not only to uphold the integrity of the award but also ensures that only the most promising, innovative, and impactful research proposals receive recognition and support.

The evaluation is carried out in several structured phases, beginning with the initial screening of applications. During this stage, the MARS Awards Committee—comprising representatives from Merck Foundation, academic partners, and African health research institutions—reviews submissions to verify their eligibility. This includes ensuring that applicants meet the criteria concerning nationality (African origin), academic standing (PhD students, young investigators, or postgraduate medical professionals), and thematic alignment (focus on women’s health, infertility, or reproductive care).

Once applications pass the eligibility check, they move on to the scientific review phase. Here, expert reviewers with backgrounds in medical research, public health, gynecology, reproductive biology, and health policy evaluate the submitted abstracts. A key aspect of this stage is the blind peer-review process, which removes any identifying information from submissions to eliminate bias and promote fairness.

Reviewers assess submissions based on a set of weighted criteria, including:

• Relevance to African Health Priorities: The extent to which the research addresses critical health issues facing the continent, particularly among vulnerable populations like women and children.

• Originality and Innovation: The novelty of the approach, methodology, or findings, and how the research offers new insights or solutions.

• Scientific Rigor: The methodological robustness and clarity of research design, including ethical considerations and data analysis strategies.

• Potential for Impact: The anticipated influence of the research on health policy, clinical practice, or community health outcomes.

• Feasibility and Sustainability: Whether the research can be realistically implemented or scaled up within African health systems or local contexts.

The scoring system is standardized, and each proposal is reviewed by at least two independent experts. Submissions that receive high scores across all categories are shortlisted for final consideration by the Award Selection Committee, which may include distinguished scholars, healthcare policymakers, and Merck Foundation executives.

This committee may also conduct interviews or request further documentation to assess the candidates’ communication skills, understanding of the subject, and long-term research goals. In some cases, applicants may be invited to present their research virtually or at a pre-award event to demonstrate the applicability and societal value of their work.

Special consideration is also given to gender balance and regional diversity, ensuring that researchers from a wide array of African countries and backgrounds are represented. Encouraging equitable participation is central to the MARS philosophy of inclusion.

Finally, the awardees are selected and notified well in advance of the Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2025, where they will formally receive their awards and participate in global networking events.

The transparent, peer-driven nature of the evaluation ensures that the MARS Awards continue to be seen as a gold standard for research excellence in Africa. This meticulous process ensures that the laureates are not just winners of an award, but future leaders in Africa’s health and scientific innovation landscape.

All submitted abstracts will undergo a peer-review process conducted by a panel of experts in the relevant fields. The evaluation criteria will include the originality of the research, relevance to African health challenges, methodological rigor, and potential impact.en.wikipedia.org

Previous Awardees and Impact

The MARS Awards have a history of recognizing and supporting researchers who have made significant contributions to health research in Africa. For instance, the 2024 awards honored researchers from countries like South Africa, Ghana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, and Ethiopia for their work in areas such as diabetic pregnancies, placental malaria, and neonatal mortality. innovation-africa.org+1african.business+1

These awards have not only provided recipients with training opportunities but have also facilitated their participation in international conferences, thereby enhancing their research exposure and collaboration prospects.

Conclusion

Call for Applications: Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit (MARS) Awards 2025, as Africa stands at the crossroads of development and innovation, particularly in the field of healthcare, the Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit (MARS) Awards 2025 presents an unparalleled opportunity to catalyze research excellence on the continent. More than just a recognition platform, the MARS Awards serve as an empowering mechanism for young scientists and medical professionals to become agents of transformative change.

The significance of the MARS Awards extends well beyond individual accolades. It addresses systemic gaps in African health research by facilitating access to training, mentorship, international exposure, and institutional collaboration. In doing so, the awards contribute to building a stronger, more self-reliant research ecosystem that is attuned to the continent’s unique health challenges.

One of the most compelling aspects of the MARS Awards is their intentional focus on women’s health and fertility—two of the most under-researched and underfunded areas in global health. African women continue to face disproportionate health burdens ranging from maternal mortality to lack of access to reproductive healthcare and infertility stigma. Through targeted support of research in these areas, the MARS Awards are helping to bridge the gender health gap while elevating the scientific contributions of female researchers across Africa.

Moreover, the awards act as a powerful tool for knowledge diplomacy. By fostering partnerships with academic institutions in countries like India and encouraging cross-border research collaborations, the MARS Awards promote international cooperation in health innovation. This global-local synergy is crucial for translating African-led research into policies, practices, and products that serve both local communities and the broader scientific world.

The vision behind the MARS Awards aligns with several global agendas, including the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). As such, every research abstract submitted and every award conferred contributes to a larger mission of sustainable development, equity, and scientific excellence.

For prospective applicants, the MARS Awards 2025 offer more than prestige. They offer a platform for meaningful contribution to public health, a gateway to advanced training, and a springboard to international acclaim. They help researchers move from isolated scientific inquiry to active participation in the global health conversation.

In closing, the Merck Foundation MARS Awards 2025 are more than a call for application—they are a call to action. A call to young researchers across Africa to harness the power of evidence, creativity, and compassion to change lives. A call to institutions to nurture talent and support groundbreaking research. And a call to the world to recognize Africa not just as a beneficiary of health innovation, but as a leader and originator of scientific solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

The future of Africa’s health lies in the hands of its researchers. The MARS Awards light the path. Will you step forward?

The Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit (MARS) Awards 2025 represent a vital initiative in promoting health research in Africa, with a particular emphasis on women’s health and reproductive care. By supporting researchers through training and recognition, the awards aim to build research capacity and foster innovations that address critical health challenges on the continent.african.business+1innovation-africa.org+1

Eligible researchers are encouraged to apply and take advantage of this opportunity to advance their work and contribute to the improvement of healthcare in Africa.