University of British Columbia Blue Grant Scholarship

The Blue Grant Scholarship under the Building Blue Economy Resilience and Prosperity in IGAD & Horn of Africa (BE-Prosper) initiative is established to strengthen regional capacity in Blue Economy leadership, fisheries value chains, coastal governance, marine spatial planning, and sustainable ocean management. The scholarship is administered through a two-phase process involving IGAD screening and a UBC graduate application process.

The call targets interested candidates for the next academic year and specifically mentions screening for eligible candidates from South Sudan, Djibouti, and Somalia. The criteria focus on academic or professional interest in the blue economy, fisheries management, fish value chains, regional trade corridors, ports and maritime connectivity, and a relevant university degree in natural science, engineering, or social sciences. Applicants are also asked to be between the ages of 25 and 40 and already working in public sectors or government, private sector, international and inter-governmental organisations, NGOs, and civil society organisations in the listed countries.

Selection for scholarship consideration is described as two phases: first, IGAD screening based on the listed criteria; second, eligible and screened candidates apply for admission through the UBC graduate application process. The scholarship outcome is stated as “full scholarship” for candidates who apply for screening and are successful for the further admission process to UBC.

• Interested candidates must apply for IGAD screening for the scholarship (targeting South Sudan, Djibouti, and Somalia).
• Applicants must have a strong academic or professional interest in the blue economy, fisheries management, fish value chains, regional trade corridors, ports and maritime connectivity.
• Applicants must hold a university degree in natural science, engineering, and social sciences, with a relevant field of study such as marine and fisheries science, environmental economics, agriculture economics, maritime sociology, veterinary science, community development, maritime or civil engineering, ocean policy, human geography, or a related discipline.
• Applicants must be between the ages of 25 and 40 years.
• Applicants must already be working in public sectors or government, private sector, international and inter-governmental organisations, NGOs and civil society organisations.
• Applicants’ country of work/eligibility is in South Sudan, Somalia, or Djibouti.
• Applicants must be motivated to contribute to sustainable fisheries management and the responsible use of marine resources and blue economy sectors in their country or the IGAD region.
• Applicants must be interested in pursuing advanced training and collaborating with researchers and practitioners at the University of British Columbia and the IGAD Secretariat to address blue economy and regional integration challenges in the Eastern Africa region.
• To proceed after IGAD screening, applicants must apply for UBC admission via the UBC graduate application process described in the call.

• Full scholarship (as stated in the call following successful screening and further admission process to UBC).

1. Prepare an IGAD screening application package that includes a Letter of Interest (LoI) addressing all the IGAD screening criteria, your CV, and a copy of your university degree.
2. Email the screening application materials to Sagal Isman ([email protected]), copying Tegueste Shimelis ([email protected]).
3. If screened as eligible and successful, apply for admission through the UBC graduate application process using the application components listed in the call.
4. Direct questions regarding the programme to Dr. Dejen ([email protected]).

• Letter of Interest (LoI) addressing all IGAD screening criteria
• CV
• Copy of university degree
• Completed application with fees (as part of the UBC graduate application process)
• Reference letters
• Statement of interest
• English language test if primary language of instruction is not English
• Criminal record check
• Thesis supervisor
• Proof of citizenship