Ocean Country Partnership Programme Scholarships Mozambique

The OCPP Scholarships Mozambique, funded through the UK’s Blue Planet Fund, offer a unique opportunity for students from Mozambique to undertake a fully funded Master’s in marine science. 

Aimed at early to mid-career researchers who are citizens of Mozambique who wish to develop a career in marine science, the OCPP Scholarships Mozambique will support world-class research in the discipline of marine science. 

Hosted by Universidade Eduardo Mondlane or Universidade Lúrio, the scholarships will enable students from Mozambique to develop their technical knowledge, conduct vital research and help develop innovative solutions to marine environmental problems.

The aim of the scholarships is to support scientific research that will contribute to the conservation and sustainable management of marine resources, and strengthen responses to marine environmental challenges.  The scholarships will also make a positive and tangible impact on the livelihoods of coastal communities that depend on healthy marine ecosystems.

What does the scholarship include? 

Scholarships will be awarded to Masters students on a 2 year basis. Each successful recipient will be entitled to: 

• Tuition fees
• Living allowance
• Research support grant
• Disability and maternity costs (on a case-by-case basis)

Eligibility criteria  

• Applicants for Master’s degrees should be citizens of and normally reside in Mozambique
• Should be working in or have experience of work in the areas of environment, fisheries and aquaculture science  
• Should hold an undergraduate or bachelor’s-level degree 
• Should provide an overview of their interest areas that could potentially lead on to future research topics
• Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria for postgraduate study at Universidade Eduardo Mondlane or Universidade Lúrio

Degree programmes 

Masters

Universidade Eduardo Mondlane

• MBEC - Master in Conservation Biology and Ecology

Universidade Lúrio

• Master in Applied Ecology

The scholarships can facilitate a range of potential projects and research topics, such as:  

• Mapping the extent and assessing the status of coastal ecosystems - such as mangrove forests, sand dunes, coral reefs, and seagrass beds - to understand the potential for restoration and enhanced protection along Mozambique’s coastline.
• Estimating the blue carbon potential of marine habitats in Mozambique.
• Understanding the potential to protect and enhance marine ecosystems, reducing pressures and increasing resilience, and enabling sustainable use of resources.
• Assessing the impact of climate change on critical ecosystems.
• Understanding key social components that determine the success or failure of management programs, including economic valuation of ecosystems and the goods and services they provide.
• Developing protocols for understanding sources and impacts of pollution on the coastal and marine environment of Mozambique.
• Data science in capture fisheries, data collection, modelling and stock assessment, particularly the impact of climate change on fish stocks.
• Developing protocols and practices to strengthen aquatic animal health in Mozambique aquaculture initiatives and developing associated risk modelling and data analysis.

Existing students

We also welcome applications from students who are currently enrolled on the above courses at the universities and would like to apply for an OCPP Scholarship for their second year of their studies.

Existing students on these university courses can apply for an OCPP Mozambique scholarship as long as they:  

• Are already enrolled on one of the following courses: master's in Conservation Biology and Ecology (MBEC) at Universidade Eduardo Mondlane; or Masters in Applied Ecology at Universidade Lúrio.
• Will have completed their first year of study on these courses by March 2024;
• Select a new research topic as part of their OCPP Scholarship application which will form their research project going forward in their second year of study at the universities.

Scholarships will be awarded to existing master's students on a 1-year basis. Each successful recipient will be entitled to: 

• Tuition fees
• Living allowance
• Research support grant
• Disability and maternity costs (on a case-by-case basis)

Should select one of the proposed research topics and be prepared to write about their interests in this area. If selected for an OCPP Scholarship, applicants will need to submit their new research proposal to their university for their second year of study.

More information  

• The Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP) is a UK Government-led development programme under the Blue Planet Fund, delivered by Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) and the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
• Find out more about the OCPP 

Funded with UK aid from the UK government.