Home›Scholarships›Mauritius, Seychelles, Comoros, Madagascar, France (Réunion)
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Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) Research Mobility Grant
by Indian Ocean Commission (Commission de l'Océan Indien - COI) · Recognized universities within the IOC member states (e.g., University of Mauritius, University of Reunion Island, University of Antananarivo)
🕐 Last updated: June 18, 2026
🏆 Fully Funded🔴 Periodic (Check for open calls under 'Appels à candidatures')🎓 Master's, PhD, and Post-doctoral🌍 Mauritius, Seychelles, Comoros, Madagascar, France (Réunion)📌 Research Grant / Mobility Fellowship
Varies by project (often between €2,000 to €10,000 per grant)
Duration
3 to 12 months
Deadline
Varies (Calls are periodic and project-based; check official website for current dates)
Level
Master's, PhD, and Post-doctoral
Acceptance
Varies (Approximately 15-25% depending on funding cycles)
Difficulty
High
Quick Summary
Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) Research Mobility Grant, administered by Indian Ocean Commission (Commission de l'Ocan Indien - COI), is one of the funding options available to regional researchers and postgraduate students in Mauritius, Seychelles, Comoros, Madagascar, France (Runion). The award covers Provides a monthly stipend, international travel costs, and insurance for researchers moving between IOC member states to conduct region-specific environmental research. and is open to master's, phd, and post-doctoral students studying marine biology, climate change, biodiversity, sustainable development, blue economy, fisheries management, circular economy. The scholarship runs for 3 to 12 months. Eligibility is generally based on citizens of IOC member states currently enrolled in a Master's or PhD program, or early-career researchers, with a project relevant to Indian Ocean regional challenges. The application deadline is Varies (Calls are periodic and project-based; check official website for current dates), with an acceptance rate of approximately Varies (Approximately 15-25% depending on funding cycles). Applicants are encouraged to review the official eligibility criteria carefully before starting their application.
✨ Should I Apply for Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) Research Mobility Grant?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
72%
Eligibility Match
18%
Win Probability
6/10
Difficulty
10/10
Reward Score
20-35 hrs
Time Required
Competitive
Competition
🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
Varies by project (often between €2,000 to €10,000 per grant)
⏳
Duration
3 to 12 months
📅
Deadline
Varies (Calls are periodic and project-based; check official website for current dates)
Varies per annual call (typically 10-20 per cycle)
🌏
Study Country
Mauritius, Seychelles, Comoros, Madagascar, France (Réunion)
🏛️
Provider
Indian Ocean Commission (Commission de l'Océan Indien - COI)
📊
Acceptance
Varies (Approximately 15-25% depending on funding cycles)
The Indian Ocean Commission Research Grant facilitates scientific cooperation and academic mobility within the Southwest Indian Ocean. It aims to strengthen regional research capacity in fields vital to the sustainable development of island nations.
👥 Who Should Apply
Citizens of IOC member states currently enrolled in a Master's or PhD program, or early-career researchers, with a project relevant to Indian Ocean regional challenges.
🏛️ Host University
Recognized universities within the IOC member states (e.g., University of Mauritius, University of Reunion Island, University of Antananarivo)
🤝 Sponsor
Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), often funded by the European Union or AFD
Provides a monthly stipend, international travel costs, and insurance for researchers moving between IOC member states to conduct region-specific environmental research.
Varies (Approximately 15-25% depending on funding cycles)
Acceptance Rate
Competitive
Competition Level
Win Probability
18%
Match Score
72%
Competition
75%
💸 Funding Breakdown
Tuition
Varies (Usually covers research/mobility rather than academic tuition fees)
Living Stipend
Yes, monthly subsistence allowance provided during the mobility period
Total Award
Varies by project (often between €2,000 to €10,000 per grant)
✈️ Travel: Yes, covers round-trip international airfare between member states🏠 Accommodation: Yes (Included in the monthly allowance or provided directly)💊 Health Insurance: Yes, provided for the duration of the research stay🔄 Renewable: No💳 App Fee: Free
🎓 Tuition Coverage
Varies (Usually covers research/mobility rather than academic tuition fees)
🏠 Living Stipend
Yes, monthly subsistence allowance provided during the mobility period
🏡 Accommodation
Yes (Included in the monthly allowance or provided directly)
✈️ Travel Allowance
Yes, covers round-trip international airfare between member states
💊 Health Insurance
Yes, provided for the duration of the research stay
🎁 Other Benefits
Access to regional research networks, laboratory facilities, and professional workshops
🔄 Renewable
No
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
Must be a national of an IOC member state (Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Réunion, or Seychelles) and enrolled in a graduate program.
🎓 Academic Level
Master's, PhD, and Post-doctoral
📊 Minimum GPA
Check official website (Focus is on research quality)
🗣️ English Requirement
Proficiency in French or English depending on the host institution
🍢 Age Limit
Usually under 40 years old
💼 Work Experience
Required for Post-doctoral applicants; not required for students
🏆 Leadership
Not mandatory, but evidence of academic leadership is a plus
💰 Financial Need
Not a primary selection criterion; merit and relevance are prioritized
🎯 Target Students
Regional researchers and postgraduate students
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
Detailed Research Proposal required
Rec Letters
2 letters of recommendation (one from home supervisor, one from host supervisor)
Interview
Sometimes (Depending on the evaluation committee's request)
Application Fee
Free
Documents Required
Academic Transcripts
Passport / National ID
2 letters of recommendation (one from home supervisor, one from host supervisor) Recommendation Letters
CV / Resume
Proficiency in French or English depending on the host institution
Interview: Sometimes (Depending on the evaluation committee's request)
Min GPA: Check official website (Focus is on research quality)
📋 Application Process
Ensure your research proposal directly addresses the strategic priorities of the IOC, such as biodiversity conservation or climate resilience.
💡 Insider Tip: Establish a firm connection with a host laboratory in another IOC member country before applying, as a letter of acceptance is often mandatory.
🗾️ Application Roadmap
1
Research eligibility and gather requirements
Start Early
2
Collect all required documents
Start Early
3
Request recommendation letters early
4
Write compelling essays and personal statement
⚠ High Risk Stage
5
Submit complete application before deadline
6
Await shortlisting and attend interview if required
⚠ High Risk Stage
📅 Key Dates & Timeline
📅 Opens
Varies based on current regional projects (e.g., REERS, SWIOFish)
⏰ Deadline
Varies (Calls are periodic and project-based; check official website for current dates)
🎤 Interview
Sometimes (Depending on the evaluation committee's request)
🎓 Study Starts
Flexible depending on the research project timeline
Varies based on current regional projects (e.g., REERS, SWIOFish)
Applications Open
Gather documents and begin essays
Varies (Calls are periodic and project-based; check official website for current dates)
Application Deadline
Submit complete application - no late entries
Sometimes (Depending on the evaluation committee's request)
Shortlisting and Interview
Selected candidates invited for interview
After results
Award Announced
Successful applicants notified
Flexible depending on the research project timeline
Studies Begin
Commence degree at host institution
⚖️ Selection Process
📋 Selection Criteria
Scientific quality of the project, relevance to the South-West Indian Ocean region, academic record, and feasibility of the research timeline.
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Citizens of IOC member states currently enrolled in a Master's or PhD program, or early-career researchers, with a project relevant to Indian Ocean regional challenges.
This scholarship covers: Provides a monthly stipend, international travel costs, and insurance for researchers moving between IOC member states to conduct region-specific environmental research.. It is a fully funded scholarship.
The deadline is Varies (Calls are periodic and project-based; check official website for current dates). Always verify with the official website as dates may change annually.
Competition level: Competitive. Acceptance rate: Varies (Approximately 15-25% depending on funding cycles). Strong academic record and clear motivation are essential.
No
Typically required: academic transcripts, passport, Proficiency in French or English depending on the host institution, 2 letters of recommendation (one from home supervisor, one from host supervisor) recommendation letters, CV. Check official website for the complete list.