Application Guidance
The application form consists of the following sections:
- Eligibility
- Personal Details
- Academic & Employment Record
- Course at host university
- Statements
- Upload supporting documents (including references)
The statement section is formed of 3 main statements for the Master's application and 4 statements for the PhD. Guidance for what is required for each statement is shown below, as well as on the application form itself.
Plagiarism is not allowed. Applications shown to be plagiarised will not be considered.
Master's Applications
Please note only citizens of the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu are eligible to apply for these scholarships
Statement 1: Plan of study (300-400 words)
The OCPP Scholarships provide unique opportunities for students from the South Pacific to undertake a fully funded Master’s in marine science related courses.
Your statement should answer the following questions:
- Why have you chosen to study this course
- What specific features of the course do you find interesting?
- Why do you want to undertake this course at this institution and in this country?
- What have you done to research your chosen university?
- Explain how your previous studies and experiences make you a suitable candidate for this course.
- Provide a short description of the proposed MSc research project that you would like to undertake (this can include a problem statement, the aims of the research, a short methods overview).
Statement 2: Impact and Policy (200-300 words)
The OCPP scholarships will enable scholars from the South Pacific to undertake an MSc, harnessing their regional knowledge to help develop solutions to marine environmental problems.
Your statement should consider the following questions:
- Describe briefly one challenge or problem related to the conservation and sustainable management of marine resources that you would like to address.
- How do you hope to contribute to addressing this?
- How will your proposed study help you contribute towards a solution to this challenge?
- Demonstrate how your MSc training and research that you are planning to undertake will have an impact on the Solomon Islands/Vanuatu. For example how will it contribute to the aims of the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu marine science policies?
Statement 3: Personal Development (200-300 words)
Your statement should answer the following questions:
- Explain how the course/research that you intend to undertake on your proposed course will contribute to your career future career plans and career development.
- What skills do you expect to gain from this scholarship?
- How you will apply/share the knowledge and skills gained on award with your local community and/or the wider Commonwealth when you return home?
PhD Applications
Please note citizens of the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu are eligible to apply for these scholarships, but only if their research is focused on or directly applicable to Vanuatu or the Solomon Islands
Statement 1: Plan of study (400-1000 words)
OCPP scholarships offer a unique opportunity for students from the South Pacific to undertake a fully funded PhD in a marine science related course.
Your statement should cover the following:
Describe the proposed research, including;
- Background/problem statement
- Aims
- Proposed methodology
- Identify any key project risks
Statement 2: Impact and Policy (300- 400 words)
The OCPP scholarships will enable scholars from the South Pacific to undertake a PhD, harnessing their regional knowledge to help develop solutions to marine environmental problems.
Your statement should respond to the following questions:
- Describe a challenge related to the conservation and sustainable management of marine resources that your PhD research will address.
- How will your proposed study help you contribute towards a solution to this challenge?
- Demonstrate how your PhD training and research that you are planning to undertake will have an impact on the Solomon Islands/Vanuatu.
- For example how does your research align with the aims of the Solomon Islands and/or Vanuatu marine science policies and how will it contribute to these?
Statement 3: Personal Development (200-300 words)
Your statement should answer the following questions:
- Explain how the course/research that you intend to undertake on your proposed course will contribute to your career future career plans and career development.
- What skills do you expect to gain from this scholarship?
- How you will apply/share the knowledge and skills gained on award with your local community and/or the wider Commonwealth when you return home?
Statement 4: Communicating Research (150-300 words)
Your statement should answer the following question:
- Describe how you will communicate the results of your PhD research to the scientific, conservation and environmental management community.
Please contact us if you have any questions regarding the application process.
Return to OCPP homepage.
