Call for Applications

TDR Postgraduate Scholarship in Implementation Research

Academic Year 2025-2027

Extended Deadline for Application : 30 April 2025 

 

Description

Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) of Yogyakarta, Indonesia, invites suitably qualified candidates to apply for a place in the following full-time postgraduate programme, with a focus on implementation research (IR) for the 2025-2027 Academic Year.

Funding for these full scholarships is from TDR, the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases, based at the World Health Organization in Geneva. Only applicants from low- and middle-income countries of WHO South-East Asia and Western Pacific Regions are eligible.

The scheme focuses on building capacity on IR to address four major global health challenges affecting infectious diseases of poverty using a One Health approach: epidemics and outbreaks; control and elimination of disease of poverty; climate change’s impact on health; and resistance to treatment and control agents.

Those with research experience in implementation research on the above-mentioned areas will be prioritized during the selection process. A limited number of scholarships will be offered for the 2025-2027 academic year in the International Master Programme in Public Health, leading to an MPH degree (2 years duration). The programme is taught in English.

Study Areas

As a part of the MPH, the postgraduate training will comprise modules relevant to a career in IR, a growing field that supports the identification of health system bottlenecks and approaches to addressing them. It is particularly useful in LMICs, where many health interventions do not reach those who could be benefitting from them. The goal of this training scheme is to strengthen the capacity of researchers to gather evidence-based knowledge using sound methodology to incorporate into policies and practices in LMICs.

Further information on implementation research is available from the TDR website .

Scholarship recipients will be enrolled as postgraduate students and conduct their thesis on IR on infectious diseases of poverty with a major focus on epidemics and outbreaks; control and elimination of disease of poverty; climate change’s impact on health; or resistance to treatment and control agents.

The scholarship recipients will have the opportunity to join the global prestigious alumni platform IR Connect, which would monitor the impact of the training programme on their career and allow them to network with other alumni for further career opportunities.

Eligibility for the Scholarship

Applicants should:

• Be nationals of, and residents in, low- and middle-income countries (as defined by the World Bank) of WHO South-East Asia region and Western Pacific Region
• Be under 37 years of age at the time of application for the Master program
• Meet the University requirements for international postgraduate students
• Meet the academic requirements:
  • A bachelor’s degree with a cumulative Grade Point Average of at least 3.00 out of 4
  • AcEPT score of at least 268 or TOEFL score of at least 550 or IELTS score of at least 5
  • Desk evaluation on undergraduate academic documents
• Be able to identify a local supervisor or mentor before the commencement of the programme
• Be interested in developing a career in IR on infectious diseases of poverty, including neglected tropical diseases
• Consent to meet health requirements in line with regulations of the Indonesian government and UGM
• Be an employee of an academic or research institution, not for profit organization, or ministry of health or its agencies in an LMIC of the WHO South-East Asia region and Western Pacific Region.

The final selection of candidates will be done in conjunction with TDR, considering gender and geographic representation of candidates from the regions.

Equity

TDR is committed to promoting equality, equity, diversity, and inclusivity in science. Researchers are encouraged to apply regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, cultural and social background, or (dis)ability status.

The Scholarship Covers

• One return economy airfare between the home country of the student and Yogyakarta, Indonesia;
• Tuition fees and a basic medical and accident insurance;
• Support for research project/thesis expenses, including travel and sustenance during data collection in home country;
• Indonesian language course to improve integration in the university’s environment; and
• Monthly stipend to cover living expenses equivalent to local living

 

Applying for the TDR Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme

To apply for a TDR Postgraduate Scholarship, you must complete the following two steps:

Step 1: Apply for the Master’s Program

• For International Applicants:
  1. Please log in or sign up at https://admission.ugm.ac.id/and select “Master’s Degree Program Odd Semester 2025/2026_Scholarship [WHO-TDR,DCSE Global Talent]“  for the Master of Public Health program.
  2. After submitting your application, please send high-quality copies of all uploaded documents to

ir-tdr.fkkmk@ugm.ac.id  and cc: graduate.fk@ugm.ac.id.

• For Indonesian Applicants:
  1. Please complete the application form and fulfil the requirements listed on um.ugm.ac.id
  2. Submit your application and supporting documents to ir-tdr.fkkmk@ugm.ac.id and cc: graduate.fk@ugm.ac.id
  3. Ensure that your motivation letter and scholarship application form are written in English.

Step 2: Apply for the TDR Postgraduate Scholarship

• Complete the TDR Postgraduate Scholarship Application Form (attached).
• Send the completed form to ir-tdr.fkkmk@ugm.ac.id and cc: graduate.fk@ugm.ac.id.

Only completed forms will be further processed.

Application and Selection Process

All candidates are required to apply online for the MPH Programme. Once the online application has been completed, it will be reviewed based on MPH programme requirements. If all requirements are met, candidates will be contacted for assessment for the MPH programme through a virtual interview with a panel of experts. Qualifications will be reviewed based on TDR Scholarship requirements. The final approval of this scholarship and placement of students will depend on the candidate’s assessment result and other criteria relevant to the MPH programme and scholarship. Finally, selected candidates will be required to confirm acceptance of the offer by submitting an acceptance letter, as per Universitas Gadjah Mada requirements.

Timelines

Call for applications	11 February 2025
Extended Deadline for applications submission	30 April 2025
Announcement of selection result	June 2025
Academic program commencement	Mid-August 2025

 

Selected applicants will receive a letter of offer from the University and have 3 calendar days to confirm acceptance after the notification. Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, UGM reserve the right to refuse or end attribution of the scholarship if the provided information has been proven false.

 

INFORMATION

For more information on the scheme at Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, UGM, please contact:

Ms. Yuyun Yohana

The Graduate Programme Office

Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing,

UGM Mobile Phone (WhatsApp): +62 811-2574-447

E-mail: ir-tdr.fkkmk@ugm.ac.id | graduate.fk@ugm.ac.id

Website: http://graduate.fk.ugm.ac.id/

 

DOWNLOAD Application Form

We would like to inform you that the announcement of the selection results for the TDR’s Implementation Science Leadership Fellowship Programme for Public Health Impact – 2025/2026 has been POSTPONED.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience and understanding. The updated announcement schedule will be shared soon through IR-TDR FK-KMK UGM’s official channels.

Thank you for your enthusiasm and participation!

Q and A

 

IR FK-KMK UGM. Students of the Special Program in Implementation Research WHO-TDR, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing (FMPHN), UGM visited. Research and Development Center for Disease Vectors and Reservoirs (B2P2VRP) in Salatiga (22-23/06). They participated in practical and field visit sessions. The group was welcomed by Ibu Lulus Susanti, SKM., MPH as the acting Head of B2P2VRP Salatiga.

All theories regarding Vector-Borne and Zoones Diseases Control were delivered on the first day in 3 sessions, which included; Vector-Borne Diseases in Indonesia, an Overview of Leptospirosis, and Community Empowerment For Controlling Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases. Besides the theories given in the classroom, students joined the field practice activity. They were involved directly in collecting mosquito larvae, capturing mosquitoes outdoors, and monitoring cattle pens during nighttime. This practical exercise took place in one of the villages located in the Tuntang sub-district of Semarang Regency.

In addition to classroom lectures, students are invited to field practice. They were directly invited to collect mosquito larvae, and catch mosquitoes outdoors and in cattle pens at night. This activity was carried out in one of the villages in Tuntang sub-district, Semarang Regency. On the second day, students practiced mosquito morphology. They were taught to identify the type of mosquitoes from last night’s catch, or mosquito samples that B2P2VRP Salatiga had prepared. This activity was carried out in one of B2P2VRP Salatiga’s laboratories.

At the end of the activity, IR students were invited to visit the Vector World Museum. Here students saw various collections in B2P2VRP Salatiga. During this visit, there were 17 IR students accompanied by lecturers and a group of master students from Tropical Medicine and Biomedical Sciences for a parasitology minor. This visit is a routine agenda carried out by the Special Program of Implementation Research, with the TDR Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme. From this activity, students will gain more knowledge about various diseases that exist, especially in Indonesia.

On Friday (14/04), the UGM Special Program of Implementation Research on Tropical Diseases conducted a thesis monitoring activity for Batch 5 students. The activity was attended by program management, supervisors, Batch 5 students, and academic staff, and was opened by Dr. E. Elsa Herdiana Murhandarwati, M.Kes., Ph.D, the program coordinator.

In this session, Prof. dr. Ari Probadnari, MPH., Ph.D  as the coordinator of academics provided information to the students on how to complete their research and thesis on time. She also outlined the guidelines for submitting publications to various international journals. This monitoring activity is a regular event in the Implementation Research program’s schedule for every batch. The program management facilitates all students to receive some suggestions directly from their supervisors.

Each student is allocated a specific time for thesis consultation. The students and supervisors revise the written thesis to make the thesis better and in line with the predetermined standards. In addition, the Implementation Research program has also provided an online learning management system facility called Imprest – Thesis Monitoring System, which can be accessed by every student using eLok UGM.

The Imprest – Thesis Monitoring System allows the Implementation Research program management to track the student’s progress, from the proposal seminar to the publication of articles in journals. To comply with UGM’s procedures and ensure proper documentation, all students are required to complete every stage in the Imprest – Thesis Monitoring System.

Students from three postgraduate’s degree programs in the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing (FK-KMK) at UGM visited PT Bio Farma Bandung on Monday (20/03). This visit was part of the Strategy to Improve Supply and Utilization of Drugs and Vaccine for Tropical Diseases course for Master’s students in Tropical Medicine and Implementation Research. In addition to these two programs, Master’s students in Biomedical Science with a concentration in pharmacology also participated.

The group of 40 students was accompanied by lecturers and educational staff. For PT Bio Farma Bandung itself this is their first visit from an outside institution after several years of closing visits due to the pandemic. During this visit, students were given information about PT Bio Farma’s profile. PT Bio Farma explained various activities carried out there, ranging from the vaccine or drug manufacturing process, inspection procedures, strict delivery standards, vaccine or drug storage, to distribution in remote areas.

Students were also given presentations on each field worked on by PT Bio Farma. Various presentations were interspersed with Q&A sessions. Students discussed with Bio Farma staff on specific topics that had been determined and adjusted to the courses they were taking. Various questions from students were limited to vaccine supply as part of the Immunization Development Program, Bio Farma’s role in providing vaccines, distribution of vaccines throughout the country, vaccine storage to maintain the appropriate temperature, vaccine safety management, vaccine production, and the vaccine testing process before being distributed throughout the country.

The students responded and appreciated the performance of PT Bio Farma, which has been working very hard for Indonesia. After the Q&A session, the students were divided into three small groups to see various facilities and activities at PT Bio Farma. The Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing has established a partnership with PT Bio Farma through relevant study programs. Every year, students from these three programs make visits to deepen their knowledge related to vaccines and other topics at PT Bio Farma.

Implementation Research students in the even semester of 2022/2023 take two mandatory courses that have been accredited by TropEd. These two courses are “Infection Control: Theory and Practice” and “Strategy to Improve Supply and Utilization of Drugs and Vaccines for Tropical Diseases”.

The current ongoing course is “Infection Control: Theory and Practice”. Students receive various information related to controlling and preventing infections in the community.

To support the theory learned in class, students are taken to visit three different institutions. They are taken on a tour of Sardjito Hospital to see how the hospital serves patiens, the facilities provided, the hospital laboratory, and the waste disposal process.

The second institution visited by Implementation Research students is the Narcotics Penitentiary Institution in Sleman. During this visit, students are taken on a tour to see the conditions of the cells, health facilities, and the prison kitchens.

The same activity is carried out when students visit the Puskesmas Ponjong 1 (Community Health Center) in Gunungkidul. The health center invites students to directly see the facilities and rooms provided for patients, especially those with infectious diseases.

After the three visits, students are asked to present various findings and give input to the institutions that have been visited. Students create a report that is done in groups and presented together with the coordinator of the course.

The “Infection Control: Theory and Practice” course is not only taken by Implementation Research students but can also be taken as an elective course by Tropical Medicine Postgraduate students and foreign students interested, especially from the TropEd Network. In 2023, one student from Australia takes the “Infection Control: Theory and Practice” course. Throughout accredited by the TropEd Network, these 2 courses always have foreign students participating.

The academic activities for even semester of 2022-2023 academic year are planned to start in mid-February. In order to prepare for the lectures, the Implemetation Research Program of FK-KMK UGM  held an academic meeting on Friday (03/02). Located on the 2nd Floor of the Tahir Foundation Postgraduate Building, North Wing, this meeting invited all coordinators of even semester courses.

The discussion included the assessment from students in previous lectures. This meeting was opened by dr. Elsa H. Murhandarwati, M.Kes., Ph.D  as the coordinator of IR Program UGM. The presentation of the evaluation of each courses was delivered by Prof. dr. Ari N. Probandari, MPH., Ph.D as the academic coordinator of the program. Each course presented showed the evaluation results that has been given by students. In the evaluation, students also provide suggestions and input for lecturers.

In addition to this, Prof. dr. Ari N. Probandari, MPH., Ph.D also informed about the steps that must be taken by the program related to external cooperation. One of which is related to courses accredited by the TropEd Network. These courses accredited are one of the highlights from the program since it can be taken by students from various campuses around the world.

This hybrid meeting discussed many things including information on the progress of student’s research, as well as the obstacles experienced by students while in the field. The Implemetation Research program records various problems so that they can be followed up and resolved properly.

Implementation Research Students of Batch 6 engaged in social culture event that was held in Tuksongo Tourism Village (Desa Wisata) in Magelang, Central Java. Various agendas were carried out during the two days of event (18-19/11). Twelve students from various countries participated in this activitiy, including Bangladesh, the Philippines, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Malaysia, and Myanmar.

Students were invited by the community to make batik on the first day (traditional Indonesian cloth). They received instruction and a brief history of the philosophy of batik as well as the necessity of improvising when the wax accidentally ruin the prior design. Then, students are invited to paint the mask made from paper. Selling paper mask is one of the ways from the community surrounding to make a living.

Another agendas conducted were playing gamelan, practicing traditional dance, and making the udheng. Udheng is a head cover made of cloth which was the daily equipment of the Javanese and Balinese people in the early 1900s until now it is part of the traditional attire. Students were also invited to visit Borobudur Temple which is one of the popular destinations in Indonesia.

In the evening, all activities were centered in one of traditional meeting rooms (joglo) at Balkondes Tuksongo. This activity is part of student hospitality with lecturers and teaching staff. Lecturers who accompanied students were dr. E. Elsa H. Murhandarwati, M.Kes., Ph.D; Dr. dr. Retna Siwi Padmawati, MA; Dr. dr. Ning Rintiswati, M. Kes. The agenda carried out was relaxed discussions related to lectures, motivation to graduate on time, with several games with the teaching staff.

On the second day, students were on a VW tour to some interesting places. Students were encouraged to use their creativity to create a variety of accessories out of clay at a ceramic studio. After that, they were asked to visit a location where palm sugar is produced and to taste the authentic local cuisine.

Special Program of Implementation Research routinely conducts the Social Culture event to improve communication between lecturers, students, and staff. Similar initiatives were previously completed by students of Batch 5 in the Tembi Tourism Village, Bantul.

The Special Program in Implementation Research accepted 12 students for Batch 6 from various countries and has started numerous hybrid classes at FMPHN UGM. To strengthen the bond between students and management, on Monday (17/10) a friendly meeting agenda was held.

Located in the main meeting room (R. Sidang Utama) on the 3rd floor of the KPTU Building, FMPHN UGM, this friendly event was opened by dr. Elsa H. Murhandarwati, M.Kes., Ph.D. She introduced IR UGM including its academic and non-academic activities. Such as in-class learning and visit to partner organizations to broaden insight.

The second presentation was given by Prof. dr. Ari Probandari, MPH., Ph.D. She focused more on providing information related to the curriculum and lectures, to encourage to publish scientific articles to boost students’ academic reputations. She also provided information regarding the awards that have been achieved by alumni, as well as job opportunities after graduation.

The third presentation, which should be made by Dr. Dra. Retna Siwi Padmawati, MA, is focused on how students should engage with professors and everyone, and is delivered by dr. Elsa H. Murhandarwati, M.Kes., Ph.D. Students who find some aspects of their on-campus learning challenging can benefit from this communication.

Apart from lecturers, the presentation was also given by Batch 5. Information about the pupils’ daily activites was provided by dr. Ichlasul Amalia, Batch 5 Student representative. Starting with attending conferences and lectures together to participating in many events on campus.

Dean and lecturer representatives of FMPHN UGM were also present at this event. dr. Yodi Mahendradhata, M.Sc., Ph.D., FRSPH (Dean of FMPHN UGM), dr. Ahmad Hamim Sadewa, Ph.D (Vice Dean of Academic and Student Affairs of FMPHN UGM), Prof. dr. Adi Utarini, M.Sc., MPH., Ph.D (IR UGM Board Member), and dr. Riris Andono Ahmad, MPH., Ph.D (Head of Tropical Medicine Master Program) also presented, even with the remaining Batch 5 students who still in Jogja.

Students were asked to tour the faculty to acquaint them with the surrounding area of campus. This activity concluded with a group photo in front of the KPTU building. With the help of this fun welcome, it is anticipated that Batch 6 students would feel more at home in their new surroundings.