The Ocean Country Partnership Programme scholarships are fully funded opportunities offered through the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) under the UK government’s Blue Planet Fund. The programme supports students from eligible partner countries to pursue Master’s and, in some cases, PhD degrees in marine science and related fields. It aims to build global capacity in tackling marine environmental challenges and promoting sustainable ocean resources.
About the Ocean Country Partnership Programme
The OCPP or Ocean Country Partnership Programme, is a UK government led initiative focused on strengthening marine science expertise and supporting sustainable management of ocean resources. The programme partners with countries across Africa, Asia, and the Pacific to support research and innovation in areas such as marine pollution, sustainable seafood, and marine biodiversity.
Scholarship benefits
Selected applicants will receive:
- Full tuition fees
- Living allowance
- Research support grant
- Disability and maternity support (where applicable)
Eligibility
To be eligible for the OCPP Scholarships, applicants must:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent
- Meet the admission requirements for postgraduate study at the host university
- Be from an eligible partner country (such as Ghana, Mozambique, Bangladesh, India, and others)
- Have an interest or experience in marine science, fisheries, or environmental-related fields
How to apply
To apply for the OCPP Scholarships, applicants must complete the online application form through the ACU portal via the website (linked below).
Master’s students are required to write 3 statements:
Statement 1: Plan of study (300-400 words)
- Why have you chosen to study this course
- What specific features of the course do you find interesting?
- Why do you want to undertake this course at this institution and in this country?
- What have you done to research your chosen university?
- Explain how your previous studies and experiences make you a suitable candidate for this course.
- Provide a short description of the proposed MSc research project that you would like to undertake (this can include a problem statement, the aims of the research, a short methods overview).
Statement 2: Impact and Policy (200-300 words)
- Describe briefly one challenge or problem related to the conservation and sustainable management of marine resources that you would like to address.
- How do you hope to contribute to addressing this?
- How will your proposed study help you contribute towards a solution to this challenge?
- Demonstrate how your MSc training and research that you are planning to undertake will have an impact on the awarding country.
Statement 3: Personal Development (200-300 words)
- Explain how the course/research that you intend to undertake on your proposed course will contribute to your career future career plans and career development.
- What skills do you expect to gain from this scholarship?
- How you will apply/share the knowledge and skills gained on award with your local community and/or the society when you return home?
Application deadline
The OCPP scholarship programme is expected to close in March 2026.
Visit the Ocean Country Partnership Programme scholarships website for more details.