Oceans & Fisheries Fellows
Visiting Fellowship · 2026 Cohort
Where African ocean science surfaces at UBC.
A fellowship for African scholars advancing ocean and fisheries sustainability — one month in residence at the University of British Columbia, then a year building research collaborations across the Atlantic and Pacific.
12 months
UBC affiliation
1 month in residence · 11 months virtual
$5,000
CAD research fund
For the proposed fellowship project
Return airfare
+ per diem
Accommodation & subsistence at UBC
2 fellows
selected 2026
Across sub-Saharan Africa
0 m · the surface
About the programme
The Africa-UBC Oceans and Fisheries Visiting Fellows Program will allow African academics of different genders and from different regions of sub-Saharan Africa working in the broad field of Ocean Sustainability in universities and research institutes to spend time at the University of British Columbia’s Vancouver Campus. The goal of this exchange is to facilitate diverse, equitable and inclusive research collaborations between researchers based in African institutions and researchers based at the UBC. Building networks for impactful collaborations is the key reason for establishing this fellowship.
The fellowship is designed to allow exceptional African researchers to build international networks and focus on a project of their choice in collaboration with UBC-based scholars. The goal is to make available to fellows the vast resources available at UBC for research, mentoring and/or collaboration with UBC-based scholars.
The fellowship is open to researchers across all academic fields who are focused on ocean and fisheries sustainability, and how to make the ocean economy work for the people who call Africa home.
Fellows will be affiliated with UBC for 12 months, including a month of in-person sojourn at UBC followed by 11 months of virtual engagement.
The award will cover one economy return ticket and per diem for accommodation and subsistence during UBC visit. The award will also include $5,000 CAD research funds for the proposed fellowship project.
To apply for a fellowship, all applicants must have at least one UBC-based researcher named as their potential collaborator on their application.
Shortlisted applicants will then be evaluated first by a pre-selection committee at the Africa Centre of Excellence in Coastal Resilience, University of Cape Coast. Shortlisted applicants will then be evaluated by a final selection committee at the University of British Columbia. Two fellows will be selected for 2026.
200 m · the sunlit zone
“Building networks for impactful collaborations is the key reason for establishing this fellowship.”
Fellows build international networks and focus on a project of their choice in collaboration with UBC-based scholars — with access to the vast resources available at UBC for research and mentoring.
500 m · the midwater
The waters
1,000 m · the twilight zone
Selection criteria
An applicant for the Africa-UBC Oceans and Fisheries Visiting Fellows award must fulfil the following:
- 01 Hold a PhD or research equivalent
- 02 Hold an appointment in a sub-Saharan African academic or research institution
- 03 Have published a book, or at least two book chapters or peer-reviewed journal articles in internationally-reputable outlets
- 04 Provide two academic references detailing your specific contributions to your field, and how a visiting fellowship will support your career goals and progression
- 05 Include a research proposal that clearly outlines the organizing theme of the proposed work and how the fellowship will lead to its completion
What fellows are expected to do
- ▸Name a UBC-based researcher as your future collaborator on the application.
- ▸Make a presentation of your work during your visit to UBC.
- ▸Lead the writing of a collaborative paper for a peer-reviewed journal.
- ▸Possibly start a collaborative grant application.
4,000 m · the deep
How fellows are chosen
Apply
Submit your research proposal, references and documents before the deadline.
Pre-selection
A committee at ACECoR, University of Cape Coast shortlists exceptional candidates.
Final selection
A committee at the University of British Columbia selects the fellows.
Two fellows
Two fellows are selected for 2026 and affiliated with UBC for 12 months.
Applications closed
The window for this cohort has closed
The application window for the fellowship is not open right now. In the meantime, you can learn more about the programme and check back when the next cohort opens.
Learn about the programme