The Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP) Scholarships, funded via the UK Blue Planet Fund, deliver a unique opportunity for students from the South Pacific to opt for a fully funded Masters or Ph.D. in marine science.

Degree Level:

UK Governments Ocean Country Partnership Programme Scholarships 2023 is available to undertake Master's and Ph.D. level programmes at UK Universities.

The OCPP scholarships will help world-class research and innovation in marine pollution. Citizens of other Pacific Island countries can also apply for Ph.D. studies.

The scholarships, hosted by the University of the South Pacific, will allow scholars from the South Pacific to use their regional knowledge, perform vital research and help generate solutions to marine environmental issues.

The scholarships focus on supporting scientific research that will contribute to marine resource conservation and sustainable management. The first set of Ocean Country Partnership Programme Scholarships 2023 will help strengthen the capacity of partner countries in the South Pacific to confront marine pollution, support the growth of sustainable resource management and bolster responses to marine environmental challenges.

The scholarships can foster a range of potential projects and research topics, including decreasing marine pollution via action on land-based and aquatic-based sources and contributing to improved livelihoods and healthier environments. It also includes evidence gathering, data analysis, modelling, tool and technology development, and the influence of pollution on marine habitats, humans, and other species.

Applications are accepted under the OCPP marine pollution theme, enclosing multiple forms of pollution, including nutrients and eutrophication, heavy metals and chemicals, microbiological pollutants, marine litter, and pathogens.

Available Subjects:

Citizens of the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu can apply for a Master's programme in the following areas:

• MA Environmental Management


• MA Marine Management


• Master of Agriculture


• MA Geography


• MSc Environmental Science


• MSc Marine Science


• MSc Chemistry


• MSc Geospatial Science


• MSc Biology


• MSc Earth Science


• MSc Marine Science

Ph.D. programmes

Applicants from the Cook Islands, Marshall Islands, Fiji, Niue, Samoa, Nauru, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Vanuatu, and Tuvalu can apply for a Ph.D. programme in the mentioned areas only if their research is aimed at or directly applicable to Vanuatu or the Solomon Islands.

• Ph.D. Agriculture


• Ph.D. Chemistry


• Ph.D. Biology


• Ph.D. Environmental Management


• Ph.D. Earth Science


• Ph.D. Geography


• Ph.D. Marine Management


• Ph.D. Environmental Science


• Ph.D. Marine Science

Scholarship Benefits:

Scholarships will be given on an 18-month basis for Master’s scholars and over three years for Ph.D. candidates. The scholarships include tuition fees (including general fees and health fees), living allowance, travel grant (case by a case basis), research support grant, dependent, disability, and maternity costs (case by case basis)

Eligible Nationalities: International students can apply for the OCPP scholarships.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Candidates for the Master’s programme must be citizens of, and residents in, the Solomon Islands or Vanuatu.


• Applicants from the Cook Islands, Marshall Islands, Fiji, Niue, Samoa, Nauru, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Vanuatu, and Tuvalu can apply for a Ph.D. programme in the mentioned areas only if their research is aimed at or directly applicable to Vanuatu or the Solomon Islands.


• Applicants should be working in or have considerable work experience in areas such as environment, fisheries, and aquaculture science.


• Applicants must have an undergraduate or bachelor’s-level degree.


• Applicants must present an innovative research topic likely to lead to a confirmed broader influence beyond the academic community.


• Applicants should meet the eligibility criteria for postgraduate study at the host University.

Last date to apply: 3 November 2022.

Application Procedure:

Applications for the scholarships should be completed via the online application form to be considered. If candidates do not already hold an ACU account, they must set one up by clicking o- Get Started in the top right corner of the application login page.

Applicants must go through all the application guidance and FAQs before starting their application process and then complete all questions.