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African Development Bank Group Shanghai Ocean University Scholarship 2027

Published: November 10, 2026;Updated: November 10, 2026;8 min read;By Habibat

The 2027 African Development Bank Group Shanghai Ocean University Scholarships are now open for applications.

The scholarship is a joint initiative of the African Development Bank Group and Shanghai Ocean University (SHOU). It aims to strengthen Africa’s technical and institutional capacity in sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, marine science, food systems, engineering, economics, and other related disciplines.

Successful applicants will receive a comprehensive scholarship covering full tuition fees, accommodation, meals, and monthly stipends throughout their studies. They will also benefit from access to experienced faculty, modern research facilities and specialised academic and professional training.

The opportunity is open to nationals of African Development Bank Regional Member Countries, including Nigeria and 53 other African countries.

Applications for the competition are open from now until November 17, 2026. In this post, we will provide you with the details, the requirements, and the application procedure on how to submit your application successfully.

Scholarship Host: African Development Bank Group & Shanghai Ocean University
Host Country: China 
Category: Undergraduate | Masters & PhD Scholarships
Benefits: Full Scholarship • Living Stipend • Accommodation • Meals
Eligibility: Students from Nigeria
Deadline: November 17, 2026

The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) and Shanghai Ocean University (SHOU) established this scholarship opportunity to develop African expertise in areas that contribute to the continent’s sustainable development and blue economy.

The programme aligns with the African Development Bank’s Ten-Year Strategy (2024–2033), particularly its focus on strengthening human capital, sustainable resource management and economic development.

Shanghai Ocean University is a research-oriented institution in Shanghai, China, with specialised expertise in marine science, fisheries, aquaculture and ocean governance.

Through this partnership, African students can pursue degree programmes and acquire technical knowledge relevant to fisheries development, marine resource management, food production, environmental sustainability and related industries.

The AfDB–Shanghai Ocean University Scholarship provides substantial financial and academic support to successful applicants.

The benefits include:

1. Full tuition fee coverage

The scholarship covers tuition fees for the approved degree programme throughout the scholarship period.

2. Free accommodation

Successful candidates receive accommodation support at Shanghai Ocean University.

3. Meals

The scholarship covers meals for selected students.

4. Monthly stipend

Recipients receive a monthly stipend to support their living expenses while studying in China. The official announcement does not specify the stipend amount.

5. Access to modern research facilities

Students benefit from access to university laboratories, research facilities, experienced lecturers and academic resources.

6. Specialised professional training

Participants receive academic and practical training relevant to their chosen disciplines, particularly in marine and aquatic sciences.

7. International academic exposure

Students will study in China, interact with an international academic community and gain exposure to research and professional practices relevant to their fields.

To be considered for the 2027 AfDB Shanghai Ocean University Scholarship, applicants must satisfy the following criteria:

A. Bachelor’s Degree Applicants

To qualify for the undergraduate scholarship, applicants must:

  1. Be nationals of an African Development Bank Regional Member Country.
  2. Be no older than 25 years as of September 1, 2027.
  3. Have HSK Level 4 with a score above 180, obtained within the last two years.
  4. Take the China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA).
  5. Meet Shanghai Ocean University’s admission requirements for the selected programme.

All undergraduate programmes listed under this scholarship are Chinese-taught.

Applicants who do not yet meet the required Chinese-language proficiency may be eligible for a Chinese-language preparatory programme of up to two years, subject to the applicable conditions.

B. Master’s Degree Applicants

Applicants for master’s programmes must:

  1. Be nationals of an African Development Bank Regional Member Country.
  2. Hold at least a bachelor’s degree.
  3. Be no older than 30 years as of September 1, 2027.
  4. Have relevant experience in the fisheries or blue economy sector.
  5. Demonstrate interest in pursuing a career in fisheries, marine science or the blue economy.
  6. Demonstrate strong academic performance, with a GPA of approximately 3.0 or above.

Language requirements:

For English-taught programmes:

  • IELTS 6.0 or above; or
  • TOEFL 80 or above.

For Chinese-taught programmes:

  • HSK Level 5 with a score above 180, obtained within the last two years.

The language requirements depend on the selected master’s programme.

C. PhD Applicants

Applicants seeking doctoral scholarships must:

  1. Be nationals of an African Development Bank Regional Member Country.
  2. Hold a master’s degree in Marine Science, Aquaculture, Economics, Environmental Policy, Development Studies, or a related field.
  3. Be no older than 35 years as of September 1, 2027.
  4. Have experience in the fisheries or blue economy sector.
  5. Demonstrate English-language proficiency through IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 80 or above.
  6. Have research experience, including at least one published academic paper.
  7. Demonstrate strong analytical, research, and policy development skills.

PhD applicants are strongly encouraged to contact potential supervisors at Shanghai Ocean University before submitting their applications.

They should send their CV, research proposal, and published paper or papers to the prospective supervisor for preliminary evaluation.

The supervisor’s name should be included in the application form.

Click HERE to see the full Supervisor directory

The 2027 AfDB SHOU Scholarship offers opportunities at three academic levels: undergraduate, master’s, and PhD.

1. Bachelor’s Degree Scholarships – 4 Years

The undergraduate scholarships cover several programmes across different colleges at Shanghai Ocean University.

Available programmes include:

CollegeAvailable programmes
College of Fisheries and Life ScienceAquaculture; Biological Science
College of Marine Living Resource Science and ManagementMarine Fishery Science and Technology; Marine Resources and Environment
College of Oceanography and Ecological ScienceMarine Science
College of Food Science and TechnologyFood Science and Engineering; Biopharmaceuticals
College of Economics and ManagementInternational Economics and Trade
College of Engineering Science and TechnologyMechanical Design, Manufacturing and Automation; Electrical Engineering and Automation; Robotics Engineering
College of Foreign LanguagesEnglish

Language of instruction: All the listed undergraduate programmes are taught in Chinese.

2. Master’s Degree Scholarships – 3 Years

The postgraduate scholarships provide opportunities in fisheries, aquaculture, marine science, food science, engineering, economics and other related disciplines.

Available programmes include:

  • Aquaculture
  • Biology
  • Fishery Resources
  • Marine Science
  • Food Science and Engineering
  • Fishery Economics and Management
  • Applied Economics (Chinese-taught)
  • Electronic Information (Chinese-taught)

There are also two separate master’s programmes under the College of Foreign Languages:

Master of Translation and Interpreting (MTI)

  • Duration: 3 years.
  • Language of instruction: Chinese.
  • Language requirement: HSK Level 5 or above.

Master of Foreign Languages and Literatures (Area Studies)

  • Duration: 3 years.
  • Language of instruction: English.
  • Language requirement: IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 80 or above.
  • Academic focus: Regional languages, cultures, politics, economies, ocean civilisation and global governance.

The Area Studies programme welcomes applicants from different academic backgrounds, including public policy, international relations, social sciences, humanities and STEM disciplines.

3. PhD Scholarships – 4 Years

The doctoral scholarships are available in selected research areas, including:

  • Aquaculture
  • Biology
  • Fishery Resources
  • Marine Science
  • Food Science and Engineering
  • Fishery Economics and Management
  • Related marine and aquatic science disciplines

PhD candidates are expected to have relevant research experience and a strong academic background.

Applicants should prepare the following documents, as applicable, before applying for the AfDB Shanghai Ocean University Scholarship:

  • International passport or other government-issued identification.
  • Updated curriculum vitae (CV).
  • Academic certificates.
  • Academic transcripts.
  • HSK certificate for Chinese-taught programmes.
  • IELTS or TOEFL certificate for applicable English-taught programmes.
  • CSCA examination report for undergraduate applicants.
  • Research proposal for PhD applicants.
  • Evidence of published research for PhD applicants.
  • Relevant professional or work experience information.

PhD applicants should also prepare their CV, research proposal, and published papers for communication with potential supervisors.

The university may request additional documents during the application and selection process.

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The step-by-step guide to apply for the 2027 African Development Bank Group Shanghai Ocean University Scholarship is as follows;

  • Click the green button below to go to the AfDB SHOU Scholarship website.
  • Choose whether you are applying for a bachelor's, master's, or PhD programme.
  • Identify the programme that matches your academic background, research interests, and career objectives. Then confirm that you meet the requirements.
  • Open the relevant scholarship announcement and follow its application instructions.
  • Fill in the application form accurately and upload the required supporting documents.
  • Review your application carefully and submit it before November 12, 2026.
  • Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted regarding subsequent selection stages, which may include an online interview with Shanghai Ocean University.
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Application Deadline: November 17, 2026

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