The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Scholarship 2027 offers a fully funded PhD opportunity in coastal and marine science in the United States. Known as the Coastal Sciences Doctoral Fellowship, the program provides selected students with a $28,500 annual stipend, tuition waiver, health insurance access, and $15,000 in research and travel funding. The fellowship is offered through USM’s Division of Coastal Sciences within the School of Ocean Science and Engineering. It is designed for academically strong students with promising research potential who want to pursue full-time doctoral study and develop their own research programs.

University of Southern Mississippi Scholarship 2027 – Key Details

• Host Country: United States
• University: University of Southern Mississippi (USM)
• Study Level: Postgraduate | PhD
• Field: Coastal and Marine Science
• Eligible Countries: Applicants from all countries
• Scholarship Type: Fully Funded
• Annual Stipend: $28,500
• Research & Travel Funding: $15,000
• Tuition: Tuition waiver
• Health Insurance: University-sponsored health insurance access
• Application Fee: Waived for Coastal Sciences Doctoral Fellowship applicants
• IELTS: No IELTS Required
• Application Deadline: January 15, 2027

About the Coastal Sciences Doctoral Fellowship

The Coastal Sciences Doctoral Fellowship is offered through the Division of Coastal Sciences within USM’s School of Ocean Science and Engineering (SOSE).

The fellowship aims to recruit outstanding graduate students who demonstrate strong academic ability, research potential, and an interest in coastal and marine science. Selected fellows are expected to focus full-time on their doctoral coursework and research while developing their own research programs.

In addition to financial support, the fellowship provides dedicated funding for research and travel, allowing students to gain valuable academic and professional experience.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants should meet the following requirements:

• Academic Qualification: Hold a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. Applicants with an M.S. degree are preferred.
• Faculty Sponsor: Contact potential faculty advisors in the Division of Coastal Sciences, discuss your research interests, and identify a faculty sponsor before submitting the fellowship application.
• Admission Requirements: Meet the admission requirements of the School of Ocean Science and Engineering (SOSE).
• English Proficiency: Fulfill the university’s English language requirements.
• Research Skills: Demonstrate strong research, writing, and communication skills.
• Relevant Experience: Experience working in seagrass beds and familiarity with coastal nekton communities are preferred but not required.

Scholarship Benefits

The University of Southern Mississippi Coastal Sciences Doctoral Fellowship provides several financial and academic benefits:

• $28,500 annual stipend for selected PhD fellows.
• Tuition waiver to reduce the cost of doctoral study.
• University-sponsored health insurance access.
• $15,000 in research and travel funding to support academic research and professional activities.
• Application fee waiver for students applying to the Coastal Sciences Doctoral Fellowship.
• Opportunity to conduct independent research in coastal and marine science.
• Full-time support for doctoral coursework and research.

Research Areas and Opportunities

The fellowship is particularly relevant to students interested in coastal and marine science research. Applicants with experience or research interests related to seagrass ecosystems, coastal nekton communities, marine ecology, coastal environments, and related areas may find this opportunity especially suitable.

Students are encouraged to communicate with potential faculty advisors before applying and develop a research direction that aligns with the interests of their prospective faculty sponsor.

Required Documents

Applicants should prepare the documents required for both the PhD program and fellowship application. These may include:

• Academic transcripts
• Bachelor’s degree certificate
• M.S. degree certificate and transcripts, if applicable
• Updated CV or résumé
• Statement of purpose
• Research statement or proposal, if required
• Letters of recommendation
• English language proficiency documentation, if applicable
• Other documents requested by the university or prospective faculty advisor

How to Apply for the University of Southern Mississippi Scholarship 2027?

Follow these steps to apply:

1. Review the PhD program: Visit the USM Division of Coastal Sciences website and review the doctoral program requirements.
2. Identify faculty advisors: Explore faculty research interests and identify potential advisors whose work aligns with your research goals.
3. Contact a faculty member: Discuss your academic background, research interests, and potential research plans.
4. Secure a faculty sponsor: Applicants must identify a faculty sponsor before submitting the fellowship application.
5. Prepare your documents: Gather transcripts, degree certificates, CV, recommendations, and other required materials.
6. Apply to the PhD program: Complete the relevant graduate admission process through USM.
7. Apply for the fellowship: Submit the Coastal Sciences Doctoral Fellowship application as instructed.
8. Submit before the deadline: Ensure that all required materials are submitted by January 15, 2027.

Application Fee Waiver

Students applying for the Coastal Sciences Doctoral Fellowship can benefit from a waiver of the graduate school application fee, making the application process more accessible to eligible candidates.

Application Deadline

The application deadline for the University of Southern Mississippi Scholarship 2027 is:

January 15, 2027

Applicants should begin contacting potential faculty advisors and preparing their documents well before the deadline.

Who Should Apply?

This fellowship is a strong opportunity for students who:

• Want to pursue a PhD in coastal and marine science.
• Have a background in marine science, biology, ecology, environmental science, or a related field.
• Have strong research and scientific writing skills.
• Are interested in developing an independent research program.
• Have experience with seagrass ecosystems or coastal nekton communities.
• Want fully funded doctoral study in the United States.

Apply Now

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the University of Southern Mississippi Scholarship 2027?

It is a fully funded doctoral fellowship known as the Coastal Sciences Doctoral Fellowship, offered through USM’s Division of Coastal Sciences.

2. What degree does the fellowship support?

The fellowship supports a PhD in the Division of Coastal Sciences within the School of Ocean Science and Engineering.

3. How much is the USM PhD stipend?

Selected fellows receive an annual stipend of $28,500.

4. Does the fellowship cover tuition?

Yes. Selected fellows receive a tuition waiver as part of the fellowship benefits.

5. Does the fellowship provide health insurance?

Yes. Fellows have access to university-sponsored health insurance.

6. Is additional research funding available?

Yes. Awardees receive a total of $15,000 in research and travel funding.

7. Do I need an M.S. degree to apply?

No. A relevant bachelor’s degree is sufficient according to the stated eligibility criteria, although applicants with an M.S. degree are preferred.

8. Do I need to contact a professor before applying?

Yes. Applicants are expected to contact potential faculty advisors, discuss their research interests, and identify a faculty sponsor before submitting the fellowship application.

9. Is IELTS required?

The provided scholarship information states no IELTS requirement. However, applicants should check USM’s current English-language requirements for their individual circumstances.

10. Is the application fee waived?

Yes. The graduate school application fee is waived for students applying to the Coastal Sciences Doctoral Fellowship.

11. Who is eligible to apply?

Applicants from all countries may apply, provided they meet the academic, admission, English-language, and fellowship requirements.

12. What is the application deadline?

The deadline is January 15, 2027.