The SAHRI Fellowship Program has reached a significant milestone with the successful selection of its first cohort of six fellows. Members of the program recently convened in Mainz, Germany, to prepare for the upcoming Industry Fellowship phase planned to start at BioNTech SE in Q4 2026. This meeting brought together colleagues from the Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM), the Coordinators of the SAHRI program, and BioNTech SE (the Industry Partner) to align expectations, strengthen collaboration, and support a well-coordinated internship experience for the fellows.
Co-funded by the Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking and BioNTech SE, the SAHRI Fellowship Program aims to support the development of 12 fellows through a unique industry–academia partnership. This initiative brings together academic excellence with practical learning in a global biotechnology environment. During their placements at BioNTech SE, fellows will gain hands-on experience across selected functions, including Clinical Operations, Clinical Development, Product Supply Chain, Global R&D Program Management, and Translational Science. These experiences will provide valuable insights into working in the biotechnology industry with the aim of contributing to advancements in global health.
A heartfelt thank you to our colleagues at the SAHRI Felowship Consortium and BioNTech SE for their continued commitment, collaboration, and shared vision in making this program a reality. We are especially grateful to the BioNTech SE colleagues across the participating departments who have generously dedicated their time, expertise, and mentorship to support the fellows throughout their learning journey.
Figures for funding can be found on CORDIS