Published: 11 December 2025

Call for Applications: Second Cohort of SAFP Editorial Fellows (2026)

The South African Family Practice (SAFP) journal invites applications for its Editorial Fellowship Programme, now entering its second year. This initiative is designed to nurture the next generation of clinician-scholars in family medicine and primary care by offering a structured, mentored introduction to academic publishing.

What is the Editorial Fellowship?
An annual, one-year engagement for South African family medicine registrars, the fellowship provides a sheltered learning experience under the supervision and mentorship of the SAFP editorial team. Fellows will gain hands-on exposure to:
• Editorial processes: Manuscript triage, peer review analysis, and publication ethics.
• Critical appraisal and writing: Producing high-quality editorials and assessing peer reviews.
• Leadership and collaboration: Contributing to journal strategy and engaging with national and international networks.
• Innovation projects: Fellows may pursue special interests such as digital content creation, podcasts, or design initiatives.
This programme builds on the success of our inaugural cohort, whose reflections highlighted transformative experiences in scholarly communication, leadership development, and creative contributions to the journal’s growth.
Participation is entirely voluntary and unpaid. The estimated time commitment is around 1 to 2 hours per week. Each annual cohort will be limited to two fellows.

Voices from the first cohort and inaugural fellows, Drs Simon Marcus and Mmaphefo Maluleka
“This fellowship was a transformative experience. It deepened my understanding of editorial processes and sharpened my critical appraisal skills.”
“Working closely with senior editors gave me confidence and a sense of belonging in the scholarly community.”
“The opportunity to contribute to the journal’s strategy and creative projects, like podcasts and cover art, was career-shaping.”
“Joining editorial meetings and engaging in discussions on ethics and innovation broadened my perspective on research integrity and impact.”

Why apply?
The fellowship offers:
• Mentorship from experienced editors.
• Opportunities to co-author editorials and CPD articles.
• Participation in editorial board meetings and strategic discussions.
• A platform to shape the future of family medicine scholarship in South Africa.

Eligibility
• All currently enrolled South African family medicine registrars.
• A letter of support from your postgraduate programme convenor or Head of Department (HOD).
• Applicants will be evaluated on their demonstrated interest in scientific publishing, primary care research, communication skills, and commitment to digital communication to promote the journal.

Timeframe
• Fellowship duration: 1 year (2026).
• Application deadline: Monday, 12 January 2026.

How to apply
Submit the following to admin@saafp.org:
• A brief letter of motivation (max 500 words).
• Your CV.
• A letter of support from your programme convenor or HOD.