2027 African Development Bank Group – Shanghai Ocean University Graduate Scholarship Master and PhD Program
Overview
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) and Shanghai Ocean University (SHOU) have officially opened applications for the 2027 Graduate Scholarship Programs. Designed to build technical and institutional capacity across Africa, this prestigious scholarship targets professionals and scholars looking to specialize in sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, marine science, and ocean resource management.
This initiative directly aligns with the AfDB’s Ten-Year Strategy (2024–2033) to foster sustainable blue economy transformations throughout the continent.
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Posting Date: November 5, 2026
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Closing Date: November 12, 2026
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Location: Shanghai Ocean University, China
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Program Levels: Master’s (3 Years) & Ph.D. (4 Years)
Scholarship Coverage & Benefits
Successful candidates selected for the 2027 SHOU Scholarship Program will receive comprehensive financial support, including:
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Full tuition waivers
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Free campus accommodation and meals
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Monthly living stipends
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Full access to world-class faculty and state-of-the-art marine research facilities
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Specialized professional training in aquatic and marine sciences
(Note: Successful applicants are responsible for covering their own flight tickets and visa processing fees.)
Available Graduate Programs
Applicants can apply across multiple specialized colleges at SHOU:
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College of Fisheries and Life Science: Aquaculture, Biology
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College of Marine Living Resource Sciences and Management: Fishery Resources
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College of Oceanography and Ecological Science: Marine Science
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College of Food Science and Technology: Food Science and Engineering
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College of Economics and Management: Fishery Economics and Management, Applied Economics (Chinese-taught)
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College of Engineering Science and Technology: Electronic Information (Chinese-taught), Marine Science
Eligibility Criteria
For Master’s Program Applicants:
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Must be a national of an AfDB Regional Member Country.
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Hold a Bachelor’s degree in a related field (or any field with a demonstrated career interest in the fisheries or blue economy sector).
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Demonstrate English proficiency with a minimum score of IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 80 (taken within the last two years). (Note: For Chinese-taught tracks, an HSK 5 score above 180 is required).
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Be no older than 30 years of age by September 1, 2027.
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Strong academic track record (e.g., GPA $\ge$ 3.0).
For Ph.D. Program Applicants:
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Must be a national of an AfDB Regional Member Country.
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Hold a Master’s degree in Marine Science, Aquaculture, Economics, Environmental Policy, Development Studies, or a related discipline.
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Demonstrate English proficiency (Minimum IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 80).
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Be no older than 35 years of age by September 1, 2027.
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Possess documented research experience, including at least one published paper.
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Pre-evaluation requirement: Ph.D. applicants are strongly encouraged to contact potential SHOU supervisors in advance via the SHOU Supervisor Directory with their CV, research proposal, and published papers prior to submitting their application.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates must complete their submissions before the deadline.
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Application Deadline: November 12, 2026
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Application Link: Submit your application via the AfDB Careers Portal.
Disclaimer: The African Development Bank Group never asks for payments or bank account details during any stage of the application or evaluation process.
