Answering questions about our global ocean requires a global and interdisciplinary network of marine scientists. Interaction with the Global South is crucial. Within the framework of international cooperation agreements between VLIZ and scientific institutions in the Global South, but also beyond, VLIZ awards participation grants. These grants allow promising students and early career professionals to exchange knowledge and gain practical experience during a short stay. For example, by participating in an international summer school organised by a Flemish marine research group. The grants also offer these early career scientists the opportunity - in line with their expertise - to participate in an international marine conference taking place in Belgium and (co-)organised by a Flemish marine research group.
DonATe to Support participation Grants for Early career scientists from the global South
Participation grants boost the professional career of the early career marine scientists. Moreover, it promotes contacts between the research groups in Flanders and those in the South, because the ocean knows no borders.
The candidates should be enrolled in an MSc or PhD programme in marine sciences and be under 35 years of age. Through a motivation letter, scientists can apply, completed with their CV, a letter of consent from their supervisor and a copy of their master's degree and/or proof of their PhD scholarship.
When a new grant is launched, you will read the details here and we will communicate it within the marine research landscape by sending out a 'call for proposals'.
Current call:
Participation Grant for IKUWA 8, The 8th International Congress for Underwater Archaeology, October 2025, Ostend. Sponsored by C-Hotels.
Our contribution: with the grant, we enable young marine scientists to fully participate in the summer school or conference. The participation grant includes the cost of the flight, accommodation and registration fee. We determine the budget for the grant per event and fund it through The Sea as a Good Cause.
Your donation serves to enable participation grants for promising young marine scientists from the Global South. Donations can be made via the webshop or by transferring to the Flanders Marine Institute's philanthropy bank account number: BE70 0017 1687 3425 with the reference Gift for participation grants. Donations from EUR 40 per year are tax deductible. Do you wish to sponsor? Please contact filantropie@vliz.be and we will look at the possibilities together.
2023
Ecopath 40 Years Conference & Workshops, June 3 to 8 in Ostend, organized by Ecopath International Initiative, the European Marine Board, VLIZ, and NOAA. Beneficiaries: Lerusha Naido, University of Cape Town, South Africa; Leticia Fernandes Alvarenga Monteiro, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil; and Eduardo Vontobel, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Brazil.
Monsoon School, February 4 to 17, South Coast of Kenya, organized by the Master's program Oceans & Lakes, Technical University of Mombasa, Bahari Hai, Pwani University, and Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute. Beneficiaries: Cliford Ochiel Owino, Technical University of Mombasa, Kenya; and Rashidi Bilali, University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
UN Decade for Ocean Sciences Conference, April 8 to 12, 2024 in Barcelona, organized by the UN Ocean Decade. Beneficiary: Aina Le Don Nomenisoa, Madagascar-National Oceanographic Data Center.
2023
Blue Science and Technology Summer Training, July 3 – 14 in Ghent, Ostend, and Zeeland, organized by UGain. Beneficiaries: Javiera, IFOP Chile; and Flor, ESPOL Ecuador.