Applications are now open for the World Conference on Marine Biodiversity (WCMB) 2026 Participation Grants, offering financial support for Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs) from the Global South to attend the conference in Belgium.
The grants aim to support emerging marine scientists and researchers by providing opportunities to engage with global experts, present research, and contribute to marine biodiversity science and conservation.
The initiative is supported by Ocean Decade Belgium and the VLIZ – Flanders Marine Institute Philanthropy “The Sea as a Good Cause”.
A total of 10 full participation grants worth €2,500 each will be awarded.
Application Deadline: 17 March 2026
About the Conference
The World Conference on Marine Biodiversity (WCMB) is a major international event that brings together researchers, policymakers, and ocean experts to discuss advancements in marine biodiversity science and conservation.
The conference provides a platform for:
- Scientific collaboration
- Knowledge exchange
- Policy discussions
- Networking among global marine scientists
For early-career researchers, the event offers valuable exposure to international research networks and emerging ocean science initiatives.
Grant Overview
The Belgian National Decade Committee and VLIZ Philanthropy are offering participation grants to help early-career marine scientists attend the conference.
Each selected participant will receive:
Grant Value: €2,500
The funding is intended to support participation costs, including travel and conference expenses.
Number of Grants Available
A total of 10 participation grants will be awarded to ECOPs from the Global South.
The grants are distributed as follows:
- 4 grants for ECOPs whose supervisors are part of the WCMB scientific committee network
- 4 grants for ECOPs from institutes collaborating with VLIZ international partners
- 2 grants for WoRMS editors from the Global South
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be an Early Career Ocean Professional (ECOP)
- Be under 35 years old
- Be from the Global South
- Be enrolled in or affiliated with:
- BSc programme
- MSc programme
- PhD programme
- Junior postdoctoral position
- Have an accepted abstract (oral or poster presentation) at WCMB 2026
The selection process will consider:
- Motivation letter
- Letter of consent
- Active conference participation through an accepted abstract
What the Grant Supports
The participation grant allows selected researchers to:
- Attend the World Conference on Marine Biodiversity 2026
- Present their research findings
- Engage with leading marine scientists
- Expand their international professional network
- Contribute to global discussions on marine biodiversity conservation
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit:
- Completed application form
- Motivation letter
- Letter of consent
- Proof of accepted oral or poster abstract
Applications must be sent via email to:
filantropie@vliz.be
Additional Opportunities
The WCMB 2026 organizing committee also indicated that additional grant opportunities may become available through partner organizations.
Updates will be shared through the conference website, newsletters, and social media channels.
For more scholarships, fellowships, grants and global opportunities, click here
