Harmonised Call for Applications
EpiScientia Network Training Pathways: MSc and Post-Graduate Certificates
This version combines University of Rwanda / ACE-DS admission requirements with EpiScientia Network project-specific eligibility criteria and the two-step selection process approved in the kick-off proceedings.
Local call publication — 0 of 5 national institutes have published
Target: all countries by 1 August 2026| Programme | EpiScientia Network — African NPHIs Network of Training in Integrated Health Informatics and Data Sciences, Scaling Up Infectious Disease Modelling |
| Training pathways | MSc pathway and Post-Graduate Certificate pathway |
| Academic host | University of Rwanda / African Centre of Excellence in Data Science (UR ACE-DS) |
| Target institutions | Participating National Public Health Institutes (NPHIs) and infectious-disease/public-health programmes in the consortium countries (Benin, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Rwanda, Senegal) |
1. Purpose and scope of the call
This harmonised call is intended to guide recruitment for the EpiScientia Network training pathways. It separates two layers of eligibility: first, the EpiScientia project-specific eligibility criteria linked to National Public Health Institutes, work-based learning and infectious disease data science capacity strengthening; second, the University of Rwanda / ACE-DS admission and application requirements.
The harmonised logic is designed to avoid confusion between academic admission requirements and project-specific nomination requirements. Candidates must satisfy both layers, but the screening responsibilities are distributed across the two-step selection process described below.
2. Training opportunities covered
MSc pathway
A single cohort is expected, with training starting in September 2027.
Post-Graduate Certificate pathway
Several cohorts are allowed; the sequence may be repeated annually until 2028.
Work-based learning
Both pathways are linked to work-based learning within NPHIs and public-health institutions, with emphasis on health informatics, biostatistics, data science, infectious disease modelling and evidence translation.
3. Baseline eligibility — University of Rwanda / ACE-DS requirements
Applicants must meet the applicable University of Rwanda / ACE-DS admission and application requirements for the selected pathway. The elements below are harmonised from the UR call and the ACE-DS MSc entry requirement extract.
| Criterion area | Harmonised UR / ACE-DS requirement |
|---|---|
| Academic programme choice | Applicants must clearly indicate the programme or track of choice in their application letter. |
| Academic qualification for MSc | For the MSc in Data Science / Biostatistics-related pathway, applicants should hold a Bachelor's degree, normally with at least Second-Class Honours Upper Division, or Second-Class Honours Lower Division with at least three years of experience in data management and analysis in relevant disciplines. |
| Relevant disciplinary background | Relevant backgrounds include data science, statistics, mathematics, economics, computer science and other related fields. For the EpiScientia context, public health, epidemiology, health informatics, biostatistics and infectious disease data-related backgrounds should be considered relevant where academically acceptable to UR ACE-DS. |
| English proficiency | Applicants whose previous language of instruction was not English must provide proof of English proficiency from a recognised institution or centre. |
| Required application letter | A formal letter addressed to the Director of the UR Centre of Postgraduate Studies must be included, indicating the programme/track of choice and full contact details. |
| Curriculum vitae | An updated curriculum vitae is required. |
| Academic documents | Certified copies of academic transcripts and degree certificates are required. |
| Reference letters | Two reference letters from senior academic referees are required under the UR call. |
| Application completeness | Applicants must submit all required documents. Incomplete submissions should not proceed to the next stage. |
| UR selection criterion | UR selection is based on assessment of submitted documents; only applicants meeting the entry requirements are eligible for selection. |
| Funding statement | The general UR call states that the University does not provide scholarships to admitted candidates. For EpiScientia-supported candidates, project support and/or institutional arrangements must be clarified separately through the EpiScientia consortium and the relevant NPHI. |
4. Complementary eligibility — EpiScientia project-specific requirements
In addition to UR / ACE-DS requirements, candidates must also satisfy the project-specific eligibility logic derived from the EpiScientia proposal. These criteria ensure that the training serves the intended public-health capacity-building objectives of the project.
| Criterion area | EpiScientia project-specific requirement |
|---|---|
| Institutional affiliation | Applicants should be staff members of participating National Public Health Institutes or closely linked infectious-disease/public-health programmes in consortium countries. |
| Priority profile | Priority should be given to frontline or operational staff involved in data collection, data management, laboratory analysis, surveillance, outbreak response, epidemiology, health informatics, modelling or evidence generation. |
| Work-based learning fit | Applicants must be able to participate in a work-based learning model, linking coursework and training activities to real institutional data, operational priorities and public-health questions. |
| Institutional nomination | Applicants should be nominated or endorsed by their NPHI or relevant employer, confirming institutional relevance, release arrangements and expected post-training contribution. |
| Return and institutional contribution | Applicants should demonstrate commitment to apply the acquired skills within their institution after training and to contribute to sustained NPHI capacity in data-driven public health. |
| Public-health relevance | Applicants should show motivation and/or experience related to infectious disease surveillance, outbreak response, health data systems, biostatistics, epidemiology, health informatics, modelling or policy translation. |
| Inclusiveness and balance | The recruitment process should promote gender balance and geographic balance, consistent with the EpiScientia proposal's commitment to inclusive capacity strengthening. |
| Digital and data readiness | Applicants should be willing to engage with digital health data, data harmonisation, OMOP/CDM-oriented thinking where relevant, reproducible analytics, modelling and responsible use of sensitive health data. |
| Ethics and data protection | Applicants must respect applicable ethics, confidentiality, data governance and data protection requirements, including institutional and national rules applicable to health data. |
| Pathway-specific fit | MSc candidates should demonstrate readiness for a full academic pathway; certificate candidates should demonstrate suitability for shorter skills-based training that can be repeated across cohorts. |
Not sure whether you qualify? Use the interactive eligibility checker on the application page to test yourself against these criteria in under a minute.
5. Required application package
The final application package should combine UR-required documents with EpiScientia-required institutional evidence. The items below should be used as a consolidated checklist.
6. Selection process
Selection will follow two complementary steps, preserving both NPHI ownership and UR ACE-DS academic admission authority.
Send all your documents to your local National Public Health Institute (Benin, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Rwanda, Senegal). NPHIs launch or disseminate the call, receive applications, screen for project relevance and institutional priority, assess readiness for work-based learning, check completeness, and nominate/shortlist candidates for submission to UR ACE-DS.
A link to upload your application opens on the call launch date — apply directly online:
episcientia.eu/training/applyUR ACE-DS reviews shortlisted applications for academic admissibility, confirms compliance with programme entry requirements, conducts final selection/admission procedures, and communicates results to candidates and relevant institutions.
- Go to the UR website — www.ur.ac.rw
- Go to Admission → Applicant Portal → click "New Application".
- Fill out the Biographical Form and click "Save" — you will receive your Student ID Reference Number (keep it for all transactions at UR).
- Create a 5-digit numeric PIN (do not start with 0) — this PIN is your password to your student account.
- Submit all required documents via the UR postgraduate file portal (pgfile.ur.ac.rw).
Selection principles
7. Timelines
| Milestone | Timing | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Call opens at NPHIs level | August 2026 | Single MSc cohort expected. |
| Application deadline at NPHIs level | End of December 2026 | Applications close at the end of December 2026. |
| NPHI-level selection | January – May 2027 | Local/NPHI screening, shortlisting and endorsement. |
| Submission to UR ACE-DS | 1 June 2027 | Shortlisted applications transmitted to UR ACE-DS (the submission portal might have a delay to open). |
| UR ACE-DS selection | July – August 2027 | Academic review and final admission selection. |
| Feedback on admission | Mid-August 2027 | Admission feedback communicated to candidates and institutions. |
| Start of training | September 2027 | Start of MSc training. |
8. Governance and quality assurance
- NPHIs should document the call dissemination process, applications received, screening outcomes and shortlisted candidates.
- UR ACE-DS should document academic admission decisions and communicate final outcomes through agreed channels.
- The consortium should maintain a central record of selected candidates for reporting, training monitoring and deliverable evidence.
- Any country-specific adaptations should remain consistent with UR admission rules and EpiScientia project-specific eligibility criteria.
- Final call versions should be validated by UR ACE-DS, the EpiScientia Scientific Lead, relevant NPHIs and the Project Management Office before publication.
Ready to apply?
Check your eligibility, prepare your application package and submit online — the same page also lets you track your application after submission.