Urgent opportunity for unemployed South African graduates: The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) is now accepting applications for its 2026/2027 Support Internship programme. The deadline is 03 September 2026 and the placements are based in South Africa.
What is the SAMRC Support Internship?
The SAMRC is offering short‑term, paid or unpaid internships in several support functions. The goal is to give graduates real‑world workplace experience, exposure to professional environments and practical skills that match their field of study.
Who can apply?
The programme is open only to unemployed South African graduates who meet the minimum qualification for the chosen stream. Below are the required qualifications for each internship:
- IT Support Intern – Diploma or Degree in Information Technology or a related discipline.
- Health & Safety (HSE) Support Intern – Diploma or Degree in Health and Safety or a related discipline.
- Research Capacity Development (RCD) Support Intern – Three‑year qualification in a Health Science discipline or a comparable qualification.
- Human Resources (HR) Support Intern – Three‑year National Diploma or Degree in Human Resource Management or a comparable qualification.
- Finance Support Intern – Three‑year National Diploma or Degree in Accounting or a comparable qualification.
- Supply Chain Management (SCM) Support Intern – BCom Degree in Supply Chain, Logistics or a comparable qualification.
All applicants should be computer literate and able to communicate clearly in English.
What you will gain
- Hands‑on experience in a national research institution.
- Professional networking with researchers, managers and technical staff.
- Development of job‑ready skills such as Microsoft Excel, basic accounting software (e.g., Pastel) and supply‑chain tools.
- Insight into public‑sector work culture and potential pathways to permanent employment.
How to apply – step by step
- Identify the internship stream that matches your qualification.
- Prepare a current CV, a brief cover letter and copies of your degree/diploma certificates.
- Click the official application link for your chosen stream (provided below).
- Complete the online form, upload the required documents and review all entries for accuracy.
- Submit the application before the closing date.
Official application links
IT Support Intern – Apply here for SAMRC Support Intern: IT
HSE Support Intern – Apply here for SAMRC Support Intern: HSE
RCD Support Intern – Apply here for SAMRC Support Intern: RCD
HR Support Intern – Apply here for SAMRC Support Intern: HR
Finance Support Intern – Apply here for SAMRC Support Intern: Finance
SCM Support Intern – Apply here for SAMRC Support Intern: SCM
Tips to improve your chances
- Tailor your CV to the specific internship – highlight relevant coursework, projects and any computer‑based skills.
- Include a concise cover letter that explains why you are interested in the SAMRC and how the internship fits your career goals.
- Proof‑read every field in the online form; incomplete or incorrect information often leads to disqualification.
- If you have worked with Microsoft Excel, Pastel or other industry software, emphasize this in both your CV and cover letter.
- Apply early. The system may experience high traffic close to the deadline.
Final thoughts
This is a timely chance to turn your qualification into real work experience. The window closes on 03 September 2026. Gather your documents, choose the stream that matches your study, and submit your application through the links above. Good luck – your next career step could start at SAMRC.
