MMU Staff Invited to Apply for Fully Funded PhD Scholarships in Mental Health Research
Mountains of the Moon University (MMU), in partnership with Makerere University, Ghent University, HOGENT University of Applied Sciences and Arts, and Nkumba University, has announced two fully funded PhD scholarship opportunities under a five-year VLIR-UOS TEAM project aimed at strengthening community-centred mental health and psychosocial support systems for refugee and host communities in Uganda.
The project, running from September 2026 to August 2031, will support two candidates, with one scholarship reserved for a current staff member of MMU and the other for a current staff member of Nkumba University. Successful candidates will pursue a joint PhD programme at Makerere University and Ghent University under a sandwich arrangement, with opportunities for research training and academic mobility in Belgium.
The research will focus on the mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of refugee and host communities, exploring their lived experiences, existing community-based support interventions, barriers to accessing mental health services, and the effects of displacement and environmental stressors. Through a participatory Living Lab approach, the project seeks to strengthen research capacity, improve academic programmes and promote sustainable, community-driven mental health interventions.
In addition to doctoral training, the scholarships provide research support, international co-supervision, professional skills development and opportunities for academic collaboration. Selected candidates will also receive support to balance their doctoral studies with institutional responsibilities and contribute to strengthening research capacity at their respective universities.
Who Can Apply?
The call is exclusively open to current staff members or individuals with a documented contractual relationship with Mountains of the Moon University or Nkumba University. Applicants must hold a Master’s degree in a relevant discipline, such as psychology, public health, social work, social sciences, nursing or a closely related field, and meet the admission requirements of both partner universities.
Interested applicants are required to submit a curriculum vitae, a motivation letter of not more than two pages, certified academic transcripts and degree certificates, a letter of institutional support from their Head of Department or equivalent, and contact details of two referees.
Application Deadline: 16th November 2026.
MMU staff interested in this opportunity are encouraged to prepare their applications and seek further guidance from Dr. Hadijah Nansamba, the university’s designated partner promoter.
This initiative presents an important opportunity for eligible university staff to advance their academic careers while contributing to research, knowledge generation and sustainable mental health support systems for refugee and host communities in Uganda.