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
  
The Ocean Discovery League is accepting applications for the 2026 "Accessing the Deep" program, targeting early-career professionals in Africa and the Western Indian Ocean. This virtual initiative provides technical training and mentorship in low-cost deep-sea exploration. Running from May to November 2026, the program includes weekly online sessions and personalised project guidance. Participants may receive an internet allowance, while mentees earn a $500 honorarium.
ODL3/4/2026
​We are excited to announce the launch of the next phase of the Mahlalela Mentorship Programme, commencing in April 2026. This cohort continues our mission to support postgraduate students and early-career researchers in the marine and polar sectors through focused, small-group mentorship. From April to September 2026, mentors will lead monthly discussions centered on research growth, academic progression and career development. The programme complements—but does not replace—formal academic supervision. Spaces are limited and will be allocated to applicants who can fully commit to the six-month schedule. We look forward to welcoming our group of next-generation researchers!  For more information, visit the SAPRI website.
SAPRI, APECSSA, SANCOR3/9/2026
The International Fellowships 2026 programme supports outstanding early‑career researchers to conduct two years of independent research at a UK institution. Jointly run by the British Academy and the Royal Society, it aims to build a globally connected research workforce by attracting international talent, supporting innovative research, enabling skills transfer and fostering long‑term collaborations. Applicants must hold a PhD, have under five years’ postdoctoral experience, work outside the UK, not hold UK citizenship and secure a UK host. Awards include research and relocation funding.
British Academy & Royal Society3/11/2026
The International Ocean Institute–Southern Africa will host a free, 20‑hour Ocean Academy Online Training Programme over six interactive afternoon sessions on 7–9 and 14–16 April 2026. Aimed primarily at South Africans but open to African participants, the course targets interns and early‑career professionals interested in ocean literacy, governance and sustainable ocean use. Attendance at all sessions via Zoom is required for a certificate. Applications close Friday, 13 March 2026. More information is available from Kgovender@ioisa.org.
IOI-SA & Partners3/13/2026
The Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity, a joint initiative of AWI and the University of Oldenburg, invites applications for two PhD positions in marine policy and governance. Projects focus on how infrastructures, knowledge and policy practices shape marine management, with emphasis on biodiversity and environmental justice. Candidates will use qualitative methods, join an interdisciplinary research community, and receive extensive training through AWI programmes. The three‑year positions are based in Oldenburg, Germany.
HIFMB3/18/2026
Stellenbosch University offers a PhD exploring how different coastal vegetation types contribute to sedimentary organic carbon in South African estuaries. Using isotope analysis and environmental DNA, the research assesses carbon sources in Zostera capensis meadows and salt marshes to support blue carbon accounting and ecosystem restoration. The project is based in Prof Sophie von der Heyden’s molecular ecology lab, with an annual stipend of R170,000 for three years.
Stellenbosch University3/21/2026
The South African Fulbright Foreign Student Program 2027–2028 offers grants for South African graduates to pursue master’s or doctoral degrees in the US. Options include degree-seeking tracks and one-year research visits for current PhD students. Applicants must demonstrate academic excellence, leadership and cultural curiosity. Prospective candidates can attend virtual information sessions to navigate the rigorous selection process and application requirements.
US Embassy & Consulates in SA4/8/2026
The TWAS‑DFG programme enables early‑career researchers from sub‑Saharan Africa to spend three months at German research institutions for collaboration. Hosts receive up to €2,350 monthly for accommodation and visa costs, plus €700 for project expenses, while travel costs up to €1,350 are reimbursed. Eligible applicants must hold a research position in sub‑Saharan Africa, have at least five years in a science system, and have obtained their PhD in 2021 or later (with extensions for mothers).
TWAS-DFG4/15/2026
The Hoogenboom Scholarship ​
The scholarship ​empowers female leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa by funding full master's degrees at Heriot-Watt University’s Lyell Centre Edinburgh, Scotland. Focused on environmental sustainability and planetary health, the programme addresses critical challenges like climate resilience, biodiversity loss and plastic pollution. Students gain technical expertise and practical skills through cutting-edge research and fieldwork. By bridging academic excellence with community engagement, the scholarship ensures graduates are equipped to deliver real-world impact and drive sustainable development across the African continent and beyond.​
Heriot-Watt University4/26/2026
Rhodes University will host a free introductory eDNA workshop on 6 and 7 July 2026 in Makhanda. Led by international and local experts, the course covers sample collection, metabarcoding and data analysis for biodiversity conservation. Designed for researchers and students, no prior experience is required, though a laptop is essential for bioinformatics sessions. Participants must register online and arrange their own travel. Early booking is advised as the event follows the National Arts Festival when accommodation is scarce. No closing date specified.
UJ & partners4/30/2026