Call for applications: Blue Grant Scholarship Under Be-Prosper Project
The Blue Grant Scholarship under the Building Blue Economy Resilience and Prosperity in IGAD & Horn of Africa (BE-Prosper) initiative has been established to strengthen regional capacity in Blue Economy leadership, fisheries value chains, coastal governance, marine spatial planning, and sustainable ocean management.
The University of British Columbia (UBC) is among the world’s leading universities in Fisheries economics and management, under the framework of the Blue Economy.
Interested candidates are encouraged to apply for the next academic year starting September 2026. Application process is in two phases:
a) IGAD screening for eligible candidates for the scholarship (targeting South Sudan, Djibouti, and Somalia)
b) UBC graduate application process.
IGAD Screening Criteria
1. Do you have a strong academic or profession- al interest in the blue economy, fisheries management, fish value chains, regional trade corridors, ports and maritime connectivity?
2. Do you 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?
3. Are you between the ages of 25 and 40 years and already working in public sectors or government, private sector, international and inter-governmental organisations, NGOs and
civil society organisations (in any of these countries: South Sudan, Somalia, Djibouti?
4. Are you motivated to contribute to sustainable fisheries management and the responsible use of marine resources and blue economy sectors in your country or IGAD region?
5. Are you interested in pursuing advanced training and collaborating with researchers and practitioners at the University of British Columbia and IGAD Secretariat to address blue economy and regional integration challenges in the Eastern Africa region?
6. If yes to most of these questions, then apply for screening and if successful, for further admission process to UBC with full scholar- ship.
How to Apply
Send screening application materials with a Letter of Interest (LoI) addressing all these criteria, CV, and copy of university degree to Sagal Isman (sagal.isman@igad.int) copying Tegueste Shimelis (Tegueste.Shimelis@igad.int).
Applicants may also direct any questions regarding the pro- gram to Dr. Dejen (Eshete.Dejen@igad.int)
Deadline : 30th/04/2026
UBC Graduate Application process
Eligible and screened candidates from IGAD will apply for admission. Core areas of application phases include;
i. Completed application with fees,
ii. Reference letters,
iii. Statement of interest,
iv. English Language test if primary language of instruction
is not English,
v. Criminal record check,
vi. Thesis supervisor, and proof of citizenship).
See details here:
https://www.grad.ubc.ca/prospective-students/application-ad mission/application-components
Download the attached Call for Application Document in PDF below
IGAD Call of Application
