Apply to EpiScientia

Start your journey towards becoming a data science leader in public health. Prove your NPHI affiliation (Step 0), check your eligibility, upload your endorsement letter, then complete the application once it is authenticated.

Read the full Harmonised Call for Applications 2026 (MSc & Post-Graduate Certificates)

How selection works — two levels

The two-step process approved in the kick-off proceedings preserves NPHI ownership and UR ACE-DS academic admission authority.

Level 1

NPHI / Country-level selection

• First mandatory step: contact the participating institution in your country and obtain an endorsement letter allowing you to apply — RBC (Rwanda), IRSP-CAQ (Benin), INS (Mozambique), IRESSEF (Senegal), EPHI (Ethiopia). Without a signed and stamped endorsement letter, your application is ineligible.
• You upload the endorsement letter and wait for the notification that opens the application form — as the letter needs authentication, this can take up to 7 days
• Once your endorsement letter is authenticated, the application form is activated: you apply via this portal — your national NPHI receives it
• Screening for project relevance & institutional priority
• Readiness for work-based learning assessed
• Completeness check
• Nomination / shortlisting of candidates

Benin · Ethiopia · Mozambique · Rwanda · Senegal

shortlist

Level 2

UR ACE-DS final selection & admission

• Only pre-selected candidates proceed
• Academic admissibility review
• Compliance with programme entry requirements
• Final selection & admission via the UR online portal
• Results communicated to you and your institution

Only admitted candidates benefit from the EpiScientia Scholarship

Selection principles: transparent documented screening · merit + institutional relevance · gender and geographic balance · clear separation between project nomination and academic admission.

Timelines

Call opens at NPHI level
August 2026
Application deadline (NPHI level)
End of December 2026
NPHI-level selection
January – May 2027
Submission to UR ACE-DS
1 June 2027
UR ACE-DS selection
July – August 2027
Feedback on admission
Mid-August 2027
Start of training
September 2027

A single MSc cohort is expected — training starts September 2027.

Your application package — checklist

Application letter to the Director of the UR Centre of Postgraduate Studies (programme/track + full contact details)
Updated curriculum vitae
Certified copies of academic transcripts and degree certificates
Two reference letters from senior academic referees
Proof of English proficiency (if prior instruction was not in English)
Motivation statement (NPHI capacity strengthening, infectious disease data science, work-based learning)
Institutional nomination / endorsement letter from your NPHI or employer
Any additional documents required by UR ACE-DS, your NPHI or the Selection Committee

Contact person: Prof Charles Ruranga, PhD — Director, UR-ACE/DS · registrar@episcientia.eu

Already applied? Track your application

Enter the email you applied with — we will send you a personal link to view your status timeline, update your details or withdraw your application. No account needed.

Step 0 — Proof of affiliation (common for all)

Each candidate must be affiliated to an eligible NPHI per country. Human verification can take up to 7 days.

First name *

Last name *

Email address *

1.Select the National Public Health Institute (NPHI) which will handle your application *

Each candidate must be affiliated to an eligible NPHI per country.

2.Who is your reference person there? *

Reference person's name *0/55

Reference person's email *

An email is sent asking them to confirm (or deny) being your reference person. This is required before you can submit Step 0.

3.What is the type of your affiliation to the above? *

Submitting Step 0 triggers a human verification that can take up to 7 days — in the same way your endorsement letter will be authenticated at a later stage. You will be emailed a personal link to continue once validated.

Complete all three criteria (including sending the reference confirmation request) to submit.

Step 1 — Check your eligibility (locked)

Complete Step 0 (proof of affiliation) first. After the human verification — up to 7 days — you will receive an email with your personal link that unlocks this step.

Step 2 · Part 1

Upload your endorsement letter

Signed and stamped by the participating institution in your country — RBC (Rwanda) · IRSP-CAQ (Benin) · INS (Mozambique) · IRESSEF (Senegal) · EPHI (Ethiopia). Authentication can take up to 7 days.

Part 1 is locked

Complete Step 1 — the eligibility check above — to unlock the endorsement letter upload. The system verifies your answers against the harmonised call criteria.

Step 2 · Part 2

Documents & Motivation

Part 2 unlocks after your endorsement letter is authenticated

Once Part 1 is validated (authentication can take up to 7 days), you will receive an email with your personal link to complete Documents & Motivation — CV, combined supporting PDF and your motivation letter.