POGO Shipboard Fellowship in Ocean Observation 2026

The Shipboard Fellowship from the Partnership for Observation of the Global Ocean places researchers on a research cruise or at a host institution to gain hands-on training in ocean observation. It is a training award rather than a grant for independent research: the point is time on the equipment and with the people who use it.

Who can apply

The fellowship is open to applicants of all nationalities at Masters, PhD and postdoctoral level, and to working professionals. The field is the natural sciences. All documents and the application form must be completed in English. Because the training is practical, applicants whose current work leaves them short of sea-going or instrument experience are exactly the intended audience rather than the wrong fit.

What the award covers

The package is unusually complete for a training fellowship. It covers round-trip international airfare between the fellow's home institution and the host institution, a subsistence allowance for the duration of the stay in the host country, travel to and from the departure port where applicable, and accommodation both in the host country and at the departure port. Where required it also covers the seafaring medical examination and sea survival training, which are real costs that would otherwise fall on the fellow.

Deadline and how to apply

This is an ongoing call and applications will be reviewed as they are received. There is no closing date to work back from, so the limiting factor is your own readiness and the availability of a host willing to take you.

Before you apply

Secure the host institution first and be specific about what you would learn there. A fellowship that pays for sea survival training is looking for candidates who will use the skill afterwards, so a clear line from the training to your next piece of work is what makes the case.