2026 NF-POGO-Seanetwork-SOI training onboard the R/V Falkor (too)

biogeochemistry, subsurface export

The student selected for this opportunity will be matched with a member of the research team to receive mentorship and hands-on involvement with research on the expedition. Applicants will possess experience in oceanography, biogeochemistry, marine technology, carbon/nutrient cycling, or climate modeling.

Schmidt Ocean Institute provides berthing aboard R/V Falkor (too) and meals on board.

*** Please read carefully the requirements and eligibility criteria before apply ***

Who can apply

Requirements and eligibility criteria for trainee position

Applicants for the trainee position must be enrolled in a University graduate program and actively studying ocean science or marine technology, with highest priority given to applicants from South America, and in particular from Brazil.

Applicants must hold a passport valid for at least six months beyond the expedition dates and must either not require a visa for Brazil or already hold one. The visa must allow multiple entries and cover the full expedition period. Applicants are responsible for confirming their visa requirements before applying.

Applicants will be required to secure funds for travel, accommodations (if required) before and after embarking/disembarking the vessel, and medical and travel insurance. The selected applicant is required to procure travel insurance for the period on board; this may be provided by the trainee’s home institution or purchased independently.

Requirements and eligibility criteria for NF-POGO travel support

In addition to the eligibility requirements above, candidates interested in NF-POGO funding must:

• Be a citizen of, and currently residing in, a developing country, as defined by the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the OECD. To promote international mobility and cross-regional capacity development, preference will be given to non-Brazilian applicants and to applicants based outside Brazil.
• Clearly state in the email submitted to proposals@schmidtocean.org that NF-POGO support is required and include, as part of the application, an additional letter explaining how their participation will contribute to sustained capacity development at their home institution and/or country.

How to apply

To apply, please send the following information in a single email to proposals@schmidtocean.org, no later than January 29, 2026 (23:59 UTC):

1. Motivation Statement (1 page). Describe why you are interested in participating in this expedition, what you hope to gain from it, and how it will impact your research.
2. Recommendation Letter. A supervisor, advisor, or faculty from your institution describing their support for your application on institutional letterhead, dated, and signed.
3. Resume/CV (2 page maximum) in PDF format, detailing relevant experience, publications, and previous training.
4. (Candidates applying for NF-POGO Travel support only) Letter explaining how their participation will contribute to sustained capacity development at their home institution and/or country.

All documents must be in English. Only complete applications will be considered.

Review process

Representatives from POGO and the host institution will review the applications. In their decision-making, the Selection Committee will consider the following points. Applicants are encouraged to ensure that their submissions accurately reflect their own experience and understanding; excessive reliance on automated tools (i.e. artificial intelligence) may be taken into account during the review process.

• Overall quality of the application;
• Experience and qualifications of the applicant;
• Evidence that the training will lead to capacity-building with potential lasting impact on regional observations;
• Alignment between the applicant’s research interests and the cruise/training objectives.

​Applications will only be considered if:

1. They are completely written in English;
2. The applicant fits the profile (early career scientist, technician, postgraduate student or post-doctoral fellow who is national of and involved in oceanographic work at centre in an eligible country)
3. The applicant has a background and/or is currently working in Marine Sciences;
4. Recommendation letters should be specific to this training, on institutional letterhead, dated and signed by the supervisor.

1. The fellowship DOES cover a round-trip international airfare between the fellow’s home institute and the departure/arrival ports; accommodation and subsistence for the day before joining and/or after leaving the ship (if required); seafaring medical examination and sea survival training (if required).
2. The fellowship DOES NOT cover expenses incurred within the fellow’s own country or during transit, including domestic travel, visa costs, meals in transit, personal or travel insurance, vaccines nor salary.
3. POGO does not provide insurance of any kind and assumes no responsibility for compensation in the event of sickness, accident, death, or disability. It is the fellow’s responsibility to arrange suitable travel insurance for the journey to and from the ship, as well as to ensure suitable insurance cover is provided by the parent institute for the duration of the cruise.
4. Fellows are not considered agents or staff of POGO, and shall not be entitled to any privileges, immunities or compensation beyond what is explicitly provided and are not authorised to commit POGO to any obligations or expenditures.
5. The fellow and the supervisors at the parent and host institutes are required to provide a short fellowship report at the end of the training period, to evaluate the success of the fellowship programme.
6. By applying, you consent to the use of your personal data for communication regarding the training and for POGO’s internal administrative and reporting purposes. Access to your data is strictly limited to authorised personnel, in accordance with the the POGO Privacy Policy .