The Ministry of Health has officially announced the opening of applications for the Samia Health Super-Specialization Program 2026 Sponsorship. The sponsorship is available to eligible public servants who have secured admission to pursue Master’s degree studies in health-related fields during the 2026/2027 academic year.
Applications will be received electronically starting 6 August 2026 through the Ministry’s online sponsorship portal. Only applications submitted through the online system will be considered. Applicants who submitted applications before this announcement are required to submit a new application using the official online application system.
About the Samia Health Super-Specialization Program
The Samia Health Super-Specialization Program aims to strengthen Tanzania’s healthcare workforce by supporting government employees to pursue postgraduate studies in priority health specialties and super-specialties. The programme focuses on addressing shortages of highly qualified health professionals in public health facilities while improving the quality of specialized healthcare services across the country.
The sponsorship supports studies at recognized institutions in Tanzania and abroad, depending on the availability of the selected programme.
Sponsorship Benefits
For Studies Outside Tanzania
Successful applicants studying abroad will receive sponsorship covering:
- Tuition fees.
- Living allowance.
- Travel expenses.
- Research allowance.
For Studies Within Tanzania
Beneficiaries studying at institutions in Tanzania will receive:
- Tuition fees.
- Research allowance during the research phase of the programme.
Living and research allowances will be paid according to the rates approved by the Ministry of Health.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:
- Submit the application through the Ministry’s Postgraduate Sponsorship Online Application System.
- Be a Tanzanian citizen.
- Be employed by the Government of Tanzania.
- Hold an admission letter from a Government-recognized university or institution within or outside Tanzania.
- Be admitted to a specialization, super-specialization, or another eligible programme specified in the announcement.
- Applicants seeking sponsorship for studies abroad must apply for programmes that are not offered by higher learning institutions in Tanzania.
- Have at least three years of work experience.
- Attach appointment and confirmation letters.
- Demonstrate that the intended area of specialization addresses workforce shortages at their institution.
Priority Consideration
Priority will be given to:
- Applicants whose studies align with the Ministry’s national specialist training plan.
- Professionals nominated by their institutions for strategic training programmes.
- Government employees who will return to their previous duty stations or be deployed according to national service needs after completing their studies.
- Applicants admitted to health management and administration programmes relevant to their professional cadre.
Eligible health management programmes include:
- Health Monitoring and Evaluation.
- Health Systems Management.
- Health Policy and Planning.
- Health Economics.
- Health Financing.
- Health Promotion.
- Health Law.
Priority Training Areas
A. Primary Health Care Level
Priority specialist programmes include:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology.
- Pediatrics and Child Health.
- Internal Medicine.
- General Surgery.
- Emergency Medicine.
B. Regional Referral Hospitals
Priority specialties include:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology.
- Pediatrics and Child Health.
- Internal Medicine.
- Emergency Medicine.
- General Surgery.
- Orthopedic Surgery.
- Anesthesiology.
- Radiology.
- Ophthalmology.
- Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT).
- Psychiatry.
- Urology.
- Dermatology.
- Hematology.
- Oncology.
- Pathology.
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
Other specialist programmes relevant to Regional Referral Hospitals are also eligible.
C. Zonal Referral Hospitals
Priority programmes include:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology.
- Pediatrics and Child Health.
- Internal Medicine.
- Emergency Medicine.
- General Surgery.
- Orthopedic Surgery.
- Anesthesiology.
- Radiology.
- Ophthalmology.
- Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT).
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
- Orthodontics.
- Pediatric Dentistry.
- Restorative Dentistry.
- Urology.
- Nephrology.
- Psychiatry.
- Pathology.
- Hematology.
- Dermatology.
- Oncology.
- Geriatric Medicine.
Other specialist and super-specialist programmes relevant to services provided at Zonal Referral Hospitals are also eligible.
D. Specialized Hospitals
All specialist and super-specialist programmes relevant to the services offered by the respective specialized hospital are eligible.
E. National Hospital
Eligible programmes include:
- All specialist health programmes with staffing shortages.
- All super-specialist programmes related to services provided by the National Hospital.
F. Government Mid-Level Health Training Institutions
Eligible programmes include all capacity-building courses for tutors and instructors that:
- Are relevant to their professional cadre.
- Support career development.
- Meet the requirements of the applicable scheme of service.
Required Supporting Documents
Applicants must upload certified copies of the following documents:
- Letter granting study leave from the employer.
- University admission letter.
- Certificate of highest academic qualification.
- Professional registration certificate.
- Valid practicing license from the relevant professional council.
- Birth certificate.
- National Identification Card (NIDA).
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online through the Ministry of Health Postgraduate Sponsorship Portal.
Application Portal:
Only applications submitted through the online system will be considered. Applicants who applied before the official announcement must submit a new application using the online portal.
Application Deadline
The deadline for submitting applications is 5 September 2026.
Late applications or applications submitted outside the official online sponsorship system will not be processed.
Final Thought
The Samia Health Super-Specialization Program 2026 Sponsorship offers an important opportunity for eligible government health professionals to pursue postgraduate specialization and super-specialization studies. By investing in advanced medical education and priority health disciplines, the programme supports the development of a highly skilled healthcare workforce capable of improving specialized health services across Tanzania. Government employees who meet the eligibility requirements are encouraged to submit their applications through the official online portal before 5 September 2026.
