Health systems across Africa face persistent challenges in allocating scarce resources effectively. Medicines, medical devices, diagnostics, and interventions must be evaluated for clinical effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and broader societal impact. Health Technology Assessment (HTA) provides the structured, evidence-based framework for these decisions. Building local expertise in HTA is therefore essential for sustainable, equitable healthcare policy.
The Jill Sanders Memorial Scholarship, administered by Health Technology Assessment international (HTAi), directly addresses this need. Applications for the 2026 cycle are now open, with a total of CAD $20,000 available each fiscal year to support African healthcare professionals and students advancing their knowledge and skills in HTA.
The scholarship commemorates Dr. Jill Sanders, former Vice President of HTAi and President and CEO of the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH). Dr. Sanders was a dedicated advocate for international collaboration in HTA. She was particularly committed to strengthening capacity in developing countries and mentoring the next generation of professionals. The programme continues her legacy by funding targeted education and training that equips recipients to apply HTA knowledge in their home countries.
HTAi’s broader mission—to promote the development, communication, understanding, and use of HTA worldwide—underpins the scholarship’s focus on practical impact in African health systems.
Who Can Apply?
Eligible applicants must:
- Reside in an African country (as defined by the World Bank’s Africa region classification).
- Be a current student at an educational institution or employed by a health-sector organisation (academic institution, hospital/clinic, government entity, or similar) in an African country.
- Be registered or accepted into a qualifying programme: Master’s or PhD programmes, fellowships, accredited certifications, internships, or training programmes in HTA or a closely related field (such as public health evaluation and monitoring).
- Agree to complete the funded programme and, upon completion, attend (in person or virtually) the subsequent HTAi Annual Meeting to share their experience with the HTA in Developing Countries Interest Group or Early Career Network.
- Commit to applying the knowledge and skills gained toward advancing HTA capacity in African countries.
An Organizational Sponsor is normally required. This is a health or HTA-related organisation in an African country with which the applicant has a formal relationship (employee, student, or intern). The sponsor’s representative (senior manager, supervisor, or equivalent) must complete and sign part of the application and provide a letter of support on organisational letterhead. The sponsor attests to the applicant’s quality and career interest in HTA and commits to supporting the application of newly acquired skills after programme completion (for example through employment, mentorship, research opportunities, or network introductions). In exceptional cases where no suitable sponsor exists, applicants may submit a 500-word letter explaining how they will develop practical HTA skills and demonstrating strong career commitment to capacity building in Africa.
Note: Workshops, non-credited educational courses, and conferences are not eligible for funding.
What Does the Scholarship Cover?
Up to CAD $20,000 is available each fiscal year for the programme as a whole. Individual awards are typically for one year; exceptional multi-year support (maximum two years at up to CAD $20,000 per year) may be considered. Funding may cover:
- Tuition/programme fees
- Books and educational materials
- Accommodation/housing (maximum three-star standard)
- Travel expenses (economy class, most practical and economical route)
- General living expenses (internet, utilities, food) — limited to a maximum of 15% of the total amount requested
The Scientific Development and Capacity Building (SDCB) Committee makes award decisions. Preference may be given to applicants from low-income African countries and to those who clearly demonstrate a post-programme employment, research, or other opportunity to apply HTA skills in an African setting.
Past Recipients and Their Impact Across the Continent
The scholarship has supported professionals from South Africa, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Zambia, Eswatini, and other countries. Recent and earlier recipients include:
- 2025: Trudy Leon (South Africa) – PhD in Public Health, Stellenbosch University; Luciana Silu Mduma (Tanzania) – MSc in Health Economics and Policy, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences.
- Earlier cycles: MSc programmes in Health Technology Assessment (University of Glasgow, University of Sheffield, University of Aberdeen), health monitoring and evaluation degrees, specialised HTA courses, and institutionalising HTA internships (e.g., Norwegian Institute of Public Health).
These examples illustrate the range of supported pathways from formal graduate degrees to practical internships and the programme’s emphasis on skills that strengthen national and regional HTA capacity.
How to Apply
Required documentation typically includes:
1. The official HTAi Jill Sanders Memorial Scholarship Application Form, completed and signed by both the applicant and the Organizational Sponsor.
2. Letter of support from the Organizational Sponsor on organisational letterhead.
3. Written confirmation of acceptance/registration from the educational institution or internship host.
4. Documentation of programme costs and other eligible expenses (original receipts where possible).
Submit the complete package by email to info@htai.org with the subject line “Jill Sanders Memorial Scholarship – Application.” For questions, contact the Coordinator, Scientific Initiatives (Nicola Vicari) at nvicari@htai.org or info@htai.org.
Official documents are available on the HTAi website with Link provided 👉 Here
Application Deadline
Deadline: 15 October each year (unless HTAi announces otherwise). For the 2026 cycle, applicants should treat 15 October 2026 as the firm closing date and prepare materials well in advance.
Why This Opportunity Matters
HTA helps decision-makers prioritise interventions that deliver the greatest health benefit for the resources available. In African contexts where budgets are constrained and health needs are high, locally trained experts who understand both global methods and local realities are invaluable. The Jill Sanders Memorial Scholarship does more than cover costs; it invests in professionals who will return to strengthen universities, ministries of health, research institutions, and HTA agencies across the continent.
If you are a healthcare student or professional in Africa pursuing (or planning) specialised training in HTA or a closely related field, this is a high-value opportunity. Review the official policy carefully, secure your Organizational Sponsor early, gather supporting documents, and submit a clear, compelling application that links your proposed programme to tangible capacity-building outcomes in your country.
Applications close 15 October. The next generation of African HTA leaders starts with those who apply.
