ResilienSEA Masters Scholarship Program 2019 for African Students

Under the MAVA-funded sub-regional project ResilienSEA on Seagrasses of West Africa, GRID-Arendal and Wetlands International are hereby providing full scholarships for Master’s degree students potentially from seven countries in the West African sub-region.

ResilienSEA Masters Scholarship Program

Geared towards building capacities of West Africans and setting up a network of experts, the scholarship program will include at most one candidate per country in order to ensure representative benefits and appropriate support for each of the target countries. This programme will allow for focalizing research effort on the sensitive and highly understudied coastal ecosystems, with special reference to seagrass beds, their associated ecosystem goods and services in West Africa. Thus, promoting sustainable approaches to conserving and managing the soon-to-be-identified priority/pilot sites.

ResilienSEA Masters Scholarship Program Eligibility

1. Prospective candidates must be from one of the project’s seven target countries in West Africa (Mauritania, Senegal, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Cape Verde, Gambia and Sierra Leone).
2. Ideal candidates must have a Bachelor of Science in Environment, Marine Biology, Aquatic Sciences or related fields.
3. They must demonstrate an excellent academic standing of at least a B+ average.
4. They must have at least basic scientific skills such as writing strong research proposals linking coastal ecosystems, biodiversity and human livelihoods.
5. Knowledge of basic statistical analyses is also desirable.
6. Candidates must not be more than 35 years of age by the commencement of the scholarship programme.
7. Experience working in conservation of coastal ecosystems of West Africa is an added advantage.
8. Preference will be given to applicants who have contributed to relevant research reports in internationally recognized journals/platforms.

Selection Criteria: The candidates sought must be highly motivated and competent individuals interested in the management of marine and coastal environments, who will carry out a Master’s degree on the topic of coastal ecosystems of West Africa, with keen interest in specializing in seagrass ecosystems. At the end of the scholarship programme, thesis reports must be written in or translated to French or English, depending on the original language of the student.

Eligible Countries: Mauritania, Senegal, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Cape Verde, Gambia and Sierra Leone

To be taken at (University):

• University of Cheikh Anta Diop in Dakar (Senegal)
• University of Cape Verde in Mindelo (Cape Verde)

Value of Scholarship

University admissions, full tuition, and research budget will be guaranteed for successful candidates

How to Apply for ResilienSEA Masters Scholarship Program

Interested persons may send their applications by e-mail, no later than 31 May 2019 at 17:00 GMT, mentioning as subject “ResilienSEA Scholarship“, to the following E-mail: [email protected]

They must also submit the following:

1. A letter of motivation summarizing the student’s aptitude for the stated Master program (maximum 1 page), accompanied by a most recent official transcript/degree award.
2. A detailed CV with the contact details of two external referees (including an academic supervisor) and one (where applicable) from the most recent employer.
3. A short study/research plan stating applicant’s interest area and relevance to one’s country (maximum 2 pages).
4. A letter of commitment from a professor at the targeted university expressing willingness to supervise prospective student will be an added advantage.
5. Any other relevant document showing the candidate’s motivation and interest in marine and coastal ecosystems, especially seagrass beds.

For more information, visit the ResilienSEA Masters Scholarship Program.

Application Deadline: 31st May 2019 at 17:00 GMT,