AfDB Shanghai Ocean University Scholarship 2027
The AfDB Shanghai Ocean University Scholarship 2027 is open right now for applications, closing strictly in seven days on November 17, 2026. Jointly established by the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) and Shanghai Ocean University (SHOU), this fully funded scheme supports African scholars pursuing Master’s (3 years) and PhD (4 years) degrees in China focused on aquaculture, marine science, food engineering, and the blue economy.
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Open to nationals of AfDB regional member countries the award provides comprehensive funding covering full tuition fees, university accommodation, campus meals, and a monthly living stipend. However, scholars must cover their own visa fees and international travel expenses. Strict eligibility limits apply: Master’s applicants must be 30 years or younger by September 1, 2027, while PhD candidates must be 35 or younger and have published research experience.
Both postgraduate tracks require an English language score of at least IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 80, with doctoral applicants also required to secure pre-evaluation from a SHOU supervisor prior to applying. Below is an exhaustive breakdown of covered academic fields, financial terms, eligibility criteria, and step-by-step application instructions.
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About the AfDB Shanghai Ocean University Scholarship
The African Development Bank Group, headquartered in Abidjan, designed this scholarship to build skills in sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, marine science and the management of ocean resources. It ties the programme to the Bank’s Ten-Year Strategy for 2024 to 2033 and to the growth of Africa’s blue economy, which covers the economic uses of oceans, rivers and coastlines.
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Shanghai Ocean University is a research university that specialises in marine science, aquaculture and ocean governance. The posting says it works with more than 40 international institutions and organisations. A China Daily report also describes a formal partnership between SHOU and the AfDB that covers degree programmes, short training, staff exchanges and joint research.
This call has a short window. The posting went up on 5 November 2026 and closes on 17 November, which gives applicants 12 days. The scholarship is not a job offer: it does not give you employment status with the African Development Bank Group.
AfDB Shanghai Ocean University Scholarship Summary
| Scholarship Name ⇒ | AfDB Shanghai Ocean University |
| Host Country ⇒ | China |
| Study Level ⇒ | Masters and PhD |
| Benefits ⇒ | Full tuition, accommodation, meals and a monthly stipend. Flights and visa fees are not covered |
| Funded by ⇒ | African Development Bank Group and Shanghai Ocean University |
| Eligible Countries ⇒ | Nationals of AfDB regional member countries |
| Application Deadline ⇒ | 17 November 2026 |
What the Scholarship Covers
The award pays for four items:
- Full tuition for the length of your programme
- Accommodation at the university
- Meals
- A monthly stipend
It also includes specialised professional training in marine and aquatic sciences. The posting describes the learning outcomes as an understanding of China’s modern aquaculture systems, hands-on skills in observing aquatic organisms, environmental sampling and hatchery operations, and stronger cross-cultural communication and teamwork.
Two cost points matter for your budget:
- Flights and visa fees are yours to pay. A return trip from Nigeria to Shanghai is the largest single expense before you start.
- The stipend amount is not published. The posting does not say how much it pays, so you cannot plan your monthly costs from it yet.
Programmes You Can Choose
| College | Programmes |
|---|---|
| College of Fisheries and Life Science | Aquaculture; Biology |
| College of Marine Living Resource Sciences and Management | Fishery Resources |
| College of Oceanography and Ecological Science | Marine Science |
| College of Food Science and Technology | Food Science and Engineering |
| College of Economics and Management | Fishery Economics and Management; Applied Economics (Chinese-taught) |
| College of Engineering Science and Technology | Electronic Information (Chinese-taught); Marine Science |
Marine Science appears under two colleges. The posting does not explain the difference, so read the college descriptions on SHOU’s website before you choose. Separate 2027 postings cover undergraduate study and a Chinese-taught translation and interpreting master’s, and this guide does not cover those.
Eligibility Requirements
To apply for the Master’s, you must:
- Be a national of an AfDB regional member country with experience in the fisheries or blue economy sector.
- Hold a bachelor’s degree in a related field, or in any field if you want a career in fisheries or the blue economy.
- Have an English test result of at least IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 80, received within the last two years.
- Be no older than 30 on 1 September 2027. In practice, you should have been born on or after 2 September 1996.
- Show outstanding academic performance, with a GPA of 3.0 or above given as an example.
Three points need care:
- Sector experience. The posting asks for experience in the sector but also accepts a bachelor’s degree in any field. If your degree is unrelated, show relevant work, volunteering or study in your application.
- GPA scale. The posting does not name the scale behind “3.0”. If your university grades on a 5.0 scale, state your scale and degree class clearly, or ask AfDB’s HR Direct desk at [email protected].
- Chinese-taught programmes. Applied Economics and Electronic Information are taught in Chinese. For these you need an HSK 5 certificate with a score above 180, received within the last two years. Applicants who lack the Chinese level can take a Chinese language programme of up to two years first, but they must still meet the age limit when their study programme starts.
PhD Eligibility
To apply for the PhD, you must:
- Be a national of an AfDB regional member country with experience in the fisheries or blue economy sector.
- Hold a master’s degree in marine science, aquaculture, economics, environmental policy, development studies or a related field.
- Have an English test result of at least IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 80.
- Be no older than 35 on 1 September 2027. In practice, you should have been born on or after 2 September 1991.
- Have research experience, including at least one published paper.
- Show strong analytical, research and policy development skills, plus communication and teamwork skills and experience in multicultural settings.
Contact a supervisor first. SHOU strongly encourages PhD applicants to approach potential supervisors before applying. Send each one your CV, your research proposal and your published paper or papers for a pre-evaluation. The application form asks for your supervisor’s name, so you need to have chosen and contacted someone before you submit. Supervisors are listed in SHOU’s supervisor directory. With seven days left, PhD applicants should write to supervisors today.
How to Apply
- Check that you meet the age, English and degree requirements for your level.
- PhD applicants: email your chosen supervisor your CV, research proposal and published paper or papers.
- Open the application link on the AfDB careers page. If you do not work at the Bank, choose the external candidate option.
- Declare the one nationality you want the Bank to consider. The Bank does not accept dual nationality, and you must upload a government-issued ID such as a passport or national identity card.
- Complete the online form and upload your CV and any documents it asks for.
- Submit before the deadline. Only shortlisted candidates are contacted, and the next step is an online interview with SHOU.
The posting asks for a concise CV and “any additional documents stated as required” but gives no checklist. Have your degree certificates, transcripts, English test result, passport and, for Chinese-taught programmes, your HSK certificate ready, and use the form itself to confirm what it accepts. The posting does not say whether a test result can follow your application, so apply with it in hand. If you hit a technical problem, email HR Direct at [email protected] with a precise description and a screenshot.
Fraud warning. The African Development Bank Group does not ask applicants for payment at any stage and never requests bank account details. Ignore any message that asks for either.
Application Deadline
Applications close on 17 November 2026. The posting gives no closing time, so finish by the end of 16 November and do not leave the submission to the last hours. Some listing sites show 12 November as the deadline. The posting itself says 17 November, but submitting before the 12th costs you nothing.
Seven days is short for anything that depends on other people. If your IELTS, TOEFL or HSK result is not in hand, a test taken now probably cannot reach you in time. Confirm today that you meet every requirement above, then spend your time on the form and, for PhD applicants, on the supervisor email.
The posting says nothing about late applications, so assume a missed deadline means waiting for the next annual call.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the AfDB Shanghai Ocean University Scholarship 2027 still open?
Yes. The posting went up on 5 November 2026 and closes on 17 November 2026. Some listing sites show 12 November, so apply early.
Can Nigerian students apply?
Yes. Nigeria is an AfDB regional member country, so Nigerian nationals can apply if they meet the age, English, academic and sector-experience requirements. You must declare a single nationality and upload a government-issued ID.
Does the scholarship cover flights?
No. It covers tuition, accommodation, meals and a monthly stipend. Successful candidates pay their own flight tickets and visa fees.
Do I need to speak Chinese?
Only for the Chinese-taught programmes, Applied Economics and Electronic Information, which need an HSK 5 score above 180 from the last two years. The other programmes require English at IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 80. Applicants without the Chinese level can complete up to two years of Chinese language study first.
Do PhD applicants have to contact a supervisor?
SHOU strongly encourages it. Send your CV, research proposal and published paper or papers before you apply, and write your supervisor’s name on the application form.
Will the scholarship lead to a job at the AfDB?
No. The posting states that the scholarship gives you no employment status with the African Development Bank Group.
Disclaimer: All scholarship details, deadlines, award values, and eligibility criteria in this post were verified from official sources as of November 2026. Information is subject to change without notice. Always confirm the latest details directly on the official 2027 African Development Bank Group – Shanghai Ocean University Graduate Scholarship website before submitting your application. ScholarWaka is not affiliated with the 2027 African Development Bank Group – Shanghai Ocean University Graduate Scholarship / African Development Bank Group and Shanghai Ocean University.
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