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 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
WHIRLSchool is a capacity sharing, shipboard training program offering an immersive, at-sea experience aboard the SA Agulhas II (26 June–27 July 2026 in the Cape Basin), where students will engage in hands-on learning through lectures by scientists, onboard sampling and experimental activities, and opportunities to contribute to ongoing WHIRLS research. Early-career researchers are invited to apply by submitting the application form with the endorsement of their supervisor by 26 April 2026.​
WHIRLS4/26/2026
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
Interested in pursuing research in Europe? An exciting PhD opportunity is available in Paris, France, to study Southern Ocean–ice interactions with a great research team. The position includes a one-year initial phase at CLS before the start of the PhD. It is open to Master’s students. If you are interested, please contact J.-B. Sallée (jean-baptiste.sallee@locean.ipsl.fr) or Lia Siegelman (lsiegelman@ucsd.edu) for more information.​ No closing date indicated.
CLS5/2/2026
  • 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
  • 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
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
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
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