2027 African Development Bank Group-Shanghai Ocean University Scholarship Opportunities
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) and Shanghai Ocean University (SHOU) are pleased to invite interested and qualified Africans to apply for the 2027 SHOU Scholarship Programme. The programme offers opportunities to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate studies while developing expertise relevant to Africa’s Blue Economy and the Bank’s strategic priorities.
For the 2027 academic year, scholarship opportunities are available for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD programmes in various fields, including fisheries, aquaculture, marine science, food science, engineering, economics, foreign languages, and related disciplines.
About the Scholarship Programme
The scholarship programme aims to strengthen Africa’s institutional and technical capacity in sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, marine science, and resource management, in alignment with the African Development Bank’s Ten-Year Strategy (2024–2033).
SHOU is a globally recognized, research-oriented university specializing in marine science, aquaculture, and ocean governance. It collaborates with over 40 international institutions and global organizations, reinforcing its leadership in sustainable aquatic development and food systems.
Scholarship Opportunities
- Bachelor’s Degree Programmes (4 years): Opportunities in aquaculture, biological science, marine fishery science and technology, marine resources and environment, marine science, food science and engineering, economics, engineering, and other disciplines. All programmes are taught in Chinese.
- Master’s Degree Programmes (3 years): Opportunities in fisheries, aquaculture, marine science, food science and engineering, economics, translation and interpreting, foreign languages, and area studies. Programmes are available in English and Chinese, depending on the course.
- PhD Programmes (4 years): Opportunities in aquaculture, biology, fishery resources, marine science, food science and engineering, fishery economics and management, and other related disciplines.
Scholarship Coverage
For all successful candidates, the scholarships will cover:
- Full tuition fees, accommodation, meals, and monthly stipends.
- Access to experienced faculty and state-of-the-art academic and research facilities.
- Specialized academic and professional training relevant to the respective programmes.
Note: Successful candidates will be responsible for their own flight tickets and visa fees.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must be nationals of an African Development Bank Regional Member Country. Additional eligibility requirements vary by programme:
- Bachelor’s applicants: Must be no older than 25 years as of 1 September 2027 and meet the Chinese-language proficiency requirements (HSK Level 4, with a score above 180, obtained within the last two years). Applicants must also take the China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA).
- Master’s applicants: Must hold at least a bachelor’s degree and be no older than 30 years as of 1 September 2027. Language requirements include IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 80 for English-taught programmes, and HSK Level 5 with a score above 180 for Chinese-taught programmes, as applicable. Additional academic and professional requirements vary by programme.
- PhD applicants: Must hold a relevant master’s degree, be no older than 35 years as of 1 September 2027, demonstrate research experience with at least one published paper, and meet the English-language proficiency requirements (IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 80).
Applicants who do not meet the Chinese-language requirements may be eligible to undertake a Chinese-language programme of up to two years before commencing their academic programme, subject to the applicable conditions.
Application Deadline
Interested candidates must complete and submit the online application by 12 November 2026. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted regarding the next steps, which may include an online interview with SHOU.
Important Information: PhD applicants are strongly encouraged to contact potential SHOU supervisors in advance and submit their CV, research proposal, and published paper(s) for pre-evaluation. Successful applicants must comply with SHOU’s rules, regulations, and codes of conduct. This fellowship does not confer employment status with the African Development Bank Group.
More Information – Programme Details and Application Requirements
Interested candidates are encouraged to review the relevant programme brochures below for detailed information on available programmes, eligibility criteria, language requirements, and application procedures. Brochures are available in English and French.
Bachelor’s Degree Programmes
English – Bachelor’s Programme
Master’s Degree – Language Programmes
English – Language Master’s Programmes
French – Programmes de master en langues
Master’s and PhD Degree Programmes
