Student Opportunities

Opportunities
​A list of training opportunities for early and mid-career professionals in fields relating to marine science. For internship and postdoctoral opportunities, please have a look at the Vacancies page.
Opportunity
Institution
  
Closing Date
  
  • A funded PhD (2026–2029) at Université de Montpellier will model larval dispersal and connectivity in the Southwest Indian Ocean under climate change, using hydrodynamic and Lagrangian simulations to understand barriers, corridors and implications for Marine Protected Area resilience.
  • Climate Adaptation and Genomic Connectivity in the Western Indian Ocean: This PhD investigates how an exploited fish species adapts to climate change by analysing genomic connectivity and resilience within Marine Protected Area networks. The project integrates genomics and modelling to guide conservation planning.
Candidates will have to pass the GAIA doctoral school open competition for this bursary to be funded. Applications close 7 May 2026.
University of Montpellier5/7/2026
POGO-SCOR Fellowship Programme 2026 ​
The programme is open and applications have been extended until 13 May 2026. This initiative supports early-career scientists from developing countries with short-term (1–3 months) international training in ocean observations. The fellowship covers airfare and contributes toward living costs.
POGO, SCOR5/13/2026
The PICES 2026 Summer School on Ocean Biologging (14–18 September, Hakodate, Japan) offers lectures and hands‑on training in biologging, environmental monitoring and data analysis. Open to postgraduate students and early‑career scientists; applications due 15 May 2026.
PICES5/15/2026
MSc in Biological Oceanography ​
The project investigates the population dynamics of Calanus agulhensis in Algoa Bay. The project involves plankton ecology, fieldwork and data analysis within a long-term research programme.
NMU and NRF-SAEON Elwandle Node5/15/2026
The programme runs from 31 August to 25 September 2026, combining online learning with in‑person training at SANBI, Cape Town. The four‑week course builds ocean governance capacity across Africa.
IOI-SA & Partners5/15/2026
This participatory workshop led by Dr Judy Mann‑Lang, will be held on 19 May 2026 at Nelson Mandela University. The in‑person session helps ocean researchers and postgraduate students develop practical skills to communicate their work beyond academia, inspiring connection, care and action for the ocean.
CMR5/19/2026
27-30 August 2026
The Data Assimilation Summer School in Japan will be held alongside the SynObs & Ocean Observing Co Design Joint International Workshop​. Ten international students will be accepted.
Japan Marine Science Foundation 5/22/2026
Workshop: Enhancing marine biodiversity data collection and publication​
An in-person MBON and AIR Centre workshop on enhancing marine biodiversity data will be held from 19 to 23 October 2026 on Terceira Island, Azores, Portugal. The training focuses on standardising and publishing data to OBIS, with hands-on exercises and fieldwork.
MBON, AIR Centre5/25/2026
The Paul Silva Student Grant supports postgraduate students conducting phycology research, including taxonomy, evolution and ecology. Awarded twice a year to eight students per round, each grant provides USD 1,000 for conference travel or student‑led algae research. Applicants must be members of the International Phycological Society, which offers journal access, discounted congress registration and global networking. Deadlines are 31 May and 31 December, with applications for the current round due 31 May 2026.
International Phycological Society5/31/2026
The 2026 SAWiSA call invites applications from exceptional women scientists and researchers in various fields, including a special category on Innovation for Impact. Awards include Distinguished and Young Researcher categories and DSTI Fellowships, with applications due 31 May 2026.
DSTI5/31/2026
IAATO Antarctic Fellowship ​
The fellowship provides up to USD 15,000 to support early-career professionals undertaking Antarctic-focused research. The scheme promotes hands-on experience, applied science and international collaboration, contributing to environmentally responsible Antarctic activities and long-term partnerships.
IAATO6/14/2026
COMNAP Early-Career Award ​
The award offers up to USD 15,000 to support emerging Antarctic professionals. It enables collaboration with national Antarctic programmes abroad, building operational expertise, innovation and leadership that strengthen cooperation within the Antarctic Treaty System.
COMNAP6/14/2026
The Second International Training Workshop on Coastal Blue Carbon​
CBC-MSR 2026, will take place from 18 October to 1 November 2026 in Shanghai and Qinzhou, China. The programme builds capacity in carbon sequestration assessment.
IMBeR6/15/2026

CCAMLR’s Scientific Scholarship Scheme​

The scheme supports early-career scientists’ participation in the Scientific Committee and working groups over two years. It develops expertise in ecosystem-based management, fisheries science and conservation for Antarctic marine governance.

CCAMLR8/31/2026
SCAR Antarctic Fellowship Programme​
The programme offers four to five awards of up to USD 15,000 for early-career researchers in 2026. It supports Antarctic and Southern Ocean research across disciplines, strengthening collaboration and leadership.
SCAR9/4/2026
The NRF invites applications for DSTI‑NRF postgraduate funding for 2027 across all disciplines. Student closing dates are 3 July 2026 for first‑time Master’s and Doctoral applications, 14 August 2026 for Master’s and Doctoral extension support, and 23 November 2026 for Honours (General) applications.​
NRF-DSTI11/23/2026
The 2026 NF POGO Open Call invites early career scientists, technicians and postgraduate or postdoctoral researchers from developing countries to apply for shipboard training fellowships. Applicants may indicate research interests and travel availability, and selections are made as cruise opportunities arise. No closing date.
NF-POGO12/31/2026
The Humboldt Research Fellowship supports outstanding postdoctoral and experienced researchers from all disciplines worldwide to conduct independent research stays in Germany. Fellowships last 6–24 months and offer generous financial support, flexible start dates and extensive academic networking opportunities, with a strong commitment to diversity and international collaboration. Calls open on the 15th in March, July and November. Calls close once 800 applications are submitted, so applicants should submit early when open.​
Humboldt Foundation12/31/2026