Are you pursuing a degree in fisheries science, aquaculture, or marine biology and looking for financial support? Here’s a curated list of the 25 best scholarships and fellowships specifically designed for fisheries and aquaculture students across the globe. These opportunities cover undergraduate, master’s, PhD, and postdoctoral levels—with many offering full funding, stipends, and research support.
🌍 1. World Fisheries Trust Scholarships
- Focus: Sustainable fisheries and aquaculture
- Eligibility: MSc/PhD students from developing countries
- Award: Up to $5,000
- Apply at: worldfisheries.org
🎓 2. FAO-Hungarian Government Scholarship
- Focus: Aquaculture & fisheries management
- Eligibility: Students from developing countries (MSc/PhD)
- Award: Full tuition + monthly stipend
- Apply at: FAO Scholarships
🔬 3. JIRCAS Research Fellowship (Japan)
- Focus: Fisheries technology, climate adaptation
- Eligibility: PhD researchers from Asia, Africa, Latin America
- Award: Research funding + travel allowance
- Apply at: jircas.go.jp
🌊 4. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in Aquaculture (EMJMD AQUA)
- Focus: Integrated aquaculture
- Eligibility: International MSc students
- Award: Full tuition + €1,000/month stipend
- Apply at: em-aqua.eu
🦐 5. ASEAN Foundation Scholarship for Marine Sciences
- Focus: Fisheries sustainability in Southeast Asia
- Eligibility: ASEAN nationals pursuing MSc/PhD
- Award: Tuition + living expenses
- Apply at: aseanfoundation.org
🌱 6. Commonwealth Scholarships in Fisheries Science (UK)
- Focus: Fisheries policy and marine conservation
- Eligibility: Citizens of Commonwealth countries (MSc/PhD)
- Award: Full tuition, airfare, and living stipend
- Apply at: cscuk.org.uk
❄️ 7. Norwegian Quota Scheme in Aquaculture
- Focus: Marine resource management
- Eligibility: MSc/PhD students from developing nations
- Award: Full academic funding
- Apply at: studyinnorway.no
🐟 8. Rufford Small Grants for Fisheries Conservation
- Focus: Community-led conservation projects
- Eligibility: Early-career researchers
- Award: Up to £10,000
- Apply at: rufford.org
🇦🇺 9. Australia Awards Scholarships (AAS)
- Focus: Tropical fisheries and aquaculture
- Eligibility: Students from Indo-Pacific countries
- Award: Full tuition + travel + stipend
- Apply at: australiaawards.gov.au
🇵🇭 10. SEARCA Graduate Scholarships (Philippines)
- Focus: Aquaculture innovation
- Eligibility: Southeast Asian nationals
- Award: Tuition + research funding
- Apply at: searca.org
🌐 11–25: More Scholarships You Shouldn’t Miss
- OIST PhD Program in Marine Sciences (Japan)
Full funding + ¥240,000/month
➤ oist.jp - VLIR-UOS Scholarships (Belgium)
For students from Africa, Asia, Latin America
➤ vliruos.be - Nippon Foundation-Nereus Program
Ocean sustainability research grants
➤ nereusprogram.org - IDRC Research Awards (Canada)
Climate-resilient fisheries focus, up to CAD $20,000
➤ idrc.ca - AIT Scholarships (Thailand)
Aquaculture systems, Asian students only
➤ ait.ac.th - Fulbright Fisheries Program (USA)
Policy & tech-focused programs in U.S. universities
➤ fulbright.edu - Wageningen University Scholarships (Netherlands)
€25,000 for MSc in Aquaculture & Marine Resources
➤ wur.nl - DAAD Marine Biology Scholarships (Germany)
€850–1,200/month for MSc/PhD
➤ daad.de - NZ Aid Scholarships for Pacific Fisheries
Full funding for Pacific Island nationals
➤ mfat.govt.nz - Chinese Government Scholarships in Marine Sciences
Aquaculture engineering, full coverage
➤ csc.edu.cn - Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) Fellowships
Up to $40,000 for tropical fisheries ecology
➤ stri.si.edu - Alfred Wegener Institute Scholarships (Germany)
Polar fisheries and climate research funding
➤ awi.de - ICAR Fellowships (India)
INR 25,000–35,000/month for Indian fisheries students
➤ icar.org.in - MASTS Marine Science Scholarships (UK)
£15,000/year for PhD in fisheries modeling
➤ masts.ac.uk - Other Regional or National Fellowships
Explore your local fisheries institutes, government scholarships, or research councils for additional funding opportunities!
🧭 Final Tips for Applicants
- Start applications early and carefully read the eligibility criteria.
- Customize your SOP (Statement of Purpose) for each scholarship.
- Contact professors or previous awardees to strengthen your application.
- Highlight your passion for sustainable aquaculture, fisheries innovation, or marine biodiversity.
🐠 Conclusion
Whether you’re a student in fisheries science, aquaculture engineering, or marine conservation, these scholarships and fellowships offer a golden opportunity to finance your education and research. Bookmark this post and share it with your peers—because a bright blue future awaits under the waves!