Training
Courses, training programmes and fellowships in ocean and environmental work, listed with the soonest deadline first. Opportunities with rolling or no fixed deadlines are at the bottom. Each entry is removed once its deadline passes, so check the organiser’s page for the latest details before you apply.
1. Postgraduate Certificate in Ecological Survey Techniques
Fee-paying postgraduate qualification, University of Oxford
Deadline: 13 November 2026, 12:00 midday UK time (next deadline; later deadlines are listed on the course page)
Dates and format: Part-time over 12 months from 6 September 2027, mostly online with field-based learning in Oxford
A part-time qualification for professionals and volunteers who monitor and assess wildlife and habitats. Students take online modules in plant biodiversity and habitat assessment and in data analysis for ecologists, choose two survey modules from mammals and reptiles, birds, fish and amphibians, or invertebrates, and complete a field project.
2. Ocean Futures Fellowship
Paid 12-month fellowships with a monthly stipend, OceanX and IIE
Deadline: 17 November 2026, 11:59 p.m. ET
Dates and format: 12 months starting February or April 2027, remote from fellows’ home countries
Five fellowships in AI, Digital Asset and Archives, Immersive Media, Marketing and Communications, and Partnerships. Fellows work remotely with a monthly stipend and mentorship, and may have the chance to sail on the OceanXplorer. Applicants must be at least 21, hold a bachelor’s degree, and not be full-time students or employees.
3. NOAA Teacher at Sea Program 2027
No fee to participate, NOAA
Deadline: 30 November 2026, 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time
Dates and format: In person on NOAA, NOAA-contracted or NOAA-partnered research vessels; teachers sail between March and September 2027
Educators join NOAA scientists aboard ocean research vessels as members of the science team, on cruises that survey fisheries, measure physical and chemical ocean trends, and map the seafloor. Educators of all grade levels and in informal settings can apply. More than 850 teachers have sailed since the programme began in 1990. An application Q&A webinar runs on 17 November 2026 at 5 p.m. Pacific / 8 p.m. Eastern.
4. BBSRC South West Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership (SWBio): Funded PhD Studentships, 2027 Entry
Fully funded for four years, including a tax-free stipend of £21,805 a year (2026/27 rate), University of Bristol with the Universities of Bath, Cardiff and Exeter and Rothamsted Research
Deadline: 2 December 2026, midday GMT
Dates and format: In person at the host institution in the UK, starting late September or early October 2027
Four-year bioscience PhD studentships across themes including agriculture and environmental biosciences, engineering biology, and molecular mechanisms and pathways. Studentships cover tuition fees, the stipend, research and training costs and a three-month placement. Up to 30% are open to international applicants, who are not charged the difference between home and international fees, though visa and health surcharge costs are not covered. Applicants may not already hold a PhD.
5. DOERs Fellows Program 2027
Deep Ocean Observing Strategy
Deadline: 11 December 2026
Dates and format: January to August 2027, online
A virtual fellowship programme from the Deep Ocean Early-career Researchers (DOERs), the early-career community of the Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, an international network of deep-ocean observing, mapping, exploration and modelling programmes.
6. Free Teacher Workshop: Field Studies at Forfar and Beyond
Free (participants pay their own airfare), International Field Studies
Deadline: 31 December 2026
Dates and format: 26 June to 1 July 2027, in person at Forfar Field Station, Andros Island, The Bahamas
A marine and island ecology field studies workshop for middle and high school teachers (grades 7 to 12) who are new to running field trips with students, with 40 hours of lectures, labs, snorkelling and field trips. Lodging, meals and excursions are covered. It is open to US and non-US teachers with English proficiency, limited to one teacher per school and two per district, with priority for schools that have not visited Forfar before.
7. Ecological Survey Methods Short Courses, January to May 2027
Fee-paying, Oxford Lifelong Learning, University of Oxford
Deadline: Varies by course; Bird Biodiversity and Population Monitoring Methods closes 27 January 2027 and Invertebrate Biodiversity and Population Monitoring Methods closes 7 April 2027
Dates and format: Online, tutor-led and flexible, part-time over five weeks each
Four online training courses for students and practitioners who want to improve their field survey skills, which can be taken from anywhere in the world: Mammal and Reptile Survey Methods (from 6 January 2027), Bird Biodiversity and Population Monitoring Methods (10 February to 17 March 2027), Fish and Amphibian Survey Methods (from 17 March 2027) and Invertebrate Biodiversity and Population Monitoring Methods (from 21 April 2027).
8. NERC GW4+ Doctoral Landscape Training Partnership: Funded PhD Studentships, 2027 Entry
Fully funded, including a stipend from £21,805 a year and an £11,000 research training support grant, Universities of Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter
Deadline: 7 January 2027, 11:59 p.m. GMT
Dates and format: In person at the partner universities in the UK, starting September 2027
Up to 24 fully funded PhD studentships across Earth, environmental and life sciences, from a Natural Environment Research Council partnership of four universities and partner research organisations. Some are CASE projects co-developed with industry, commercial or charity partners, which include a paid internship. All places are open to UK home applicants, and 4 to 6 are available to international applicants. Applicants may not already hold a PhD.
9. Understanding the Biodiversity Crisis: Introduction to Ecology and Conservation
£430, Oxford Lifelong Learning, University of Oxford
Deadline: Apply before the course starts on 11 January 2027
Dates and format: 11 January to 22 March 2027, online with live weekly sessions; a second run starts 13 April 2027
An introductory course on how species interact with their environment and the practical strategies used to monitor and conserve them, from organismal to ecosystem ecology and survey methods. It is open to all, and no prior knowledge is required.
10. Climate Change: From Deep Past to the Present
Fee-paying, Oxford Lifelong Learning, University of Oxford
Deadline: Apply before the course starts on 12 January 2027
Dates and format: 11 weeks from 12 January 2027, online with live sessions
A course on Earth’s climate through geological time and how the past connects to the future, ending with the interaction between climate and people.
11. Business Sustainability Leadership
Fee-paying, Oxford Lifelong Learning, University of Oxford
Deadline: Apply before the course starts on 12 January 2027
Dates and format: 11 weeks from 12 January 2027, online with live sessions
A grounding in business sustainability leadership, covering topics such as net zero and the circular economy and how to lead sustainability initiatives within an organisation.
12. Introduction to the Energy Transition
Fee-paying, Oxford Lifelong Learning, University of Oxford
Deadline: Apply before the course starts on 15 January 2027
Dates and format: Three months from 15 January 2027, online with live sessions
A course on the energy transition and its links to climate change, ecology, energy policy, supply disruption and competition for energy.
13. Mapping, GIS and Data Analysis Courses, January to May 2027
Fee-paying, Oxford Lifelong Learning, University of Oxford
Deadline: Apply before each course starts; the first begins 27 January 2027
Dates and format: Online, 11 weeks each
Three courses for building technical skills: Introducing Mapping, Spatial Data and GIS (flexible, from 27 January 2027, with a second run from 5 May 2027), Data Analysis in Ecology: Statistics for Ecologists and Field Biologists (flexible, from 10 February 2027, using R) and Advanced Mapping, Spatial Data and GIS (live, from 14 April 2027, covering Python, spatial analysis, modelling and remote sensing).
14. Accessing the Deep 2027: Virtual Deep Ocean Training and Mentoring Program
No fee stated, with an internet allowance of up to USD 150 and a USD 500 honorarium on completing the mentorship, Ocean Discovery League
Deadline: 4 February 2027, 11:59 p.m. EST
Dates and format: 12 weekly Zoom sessions on Wednesdays from 14 April to 30 June 2027, followed by optional online mentoring from July to November 2027
An introductory programme on low-cost, accessible methods for exploring ocean depths beyond 200 metres, for early-career professionals worldwide with a background in marine science or a related field and limited deep-sea experience. Priority goes to applicants from North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. Participants who meet the attendance and assignment requirements can apply for a five-month mentorship to develop a deep-sea project plan. Teaching is in English.
15. Postgraduate Diploma in Wildlife Conservation
Fee-paying postgraduate qualification, University of Oxford with WildCRU
Deadline: March 2027 (exact date on the course page); after that, the course stays open only if places remain
Dates and format: Eight months from September 2027, in person in Oxford
A postgraduate diploma in techniques for monitoring and managing wildlife and their habitats, with a focus on terrestrial mammals and conservation challenges in the developing world. Modules cover wildlife ecology and behaviour, species and biodiversity monitoring, population management, habitat assessment, and human populations and conservation. Early application is strongly advised.
16. Natural History of Port Meadow
Fee-paying, Oxford Lifelong Learning, University of Oxford
Deadline: Apply before the course starts on 20 May 2027
Dates and format: Five guided field sessions from 20 May 2027, in person in Oxford
A field course exploring the wildflowers, insects and other wetland species of Port Meadow, and how flooding and grazing shape this Oxford landscape.
Rolling deadlines and self-paced courses
17. Summer 2027 Marine Biology Field Experience
USD 3,000 per student, Shark Docs
Deadline: Until full; space is limited
Dates and format: Two sessions, 6 to 11 June and 1 to 6 August 2027, in person in South Florida
A hands-on field course for students and early-career professionals led by Dr Chris Malinowski, covering shark research survey techniques (drumline deployment, video surveys, handling, sampling and tagging), reef fish and sea turtle nesting surveys, and responsible shark snorkelling.
18. SharkWise Project Marine Internship 2027
Fee-paying internship, The SharkWise Project
Deadline: Rolling bookings, limited availability
Dates and format: In person in Umkomaas, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, with bookings from January to November 2027
A field-based marine biology internship centred on the Aliwal Shoal Marine Protected Area, including shark research and identification, research diving, and data collection and management. Interns also assist with the fieldwork of master’s and PhD students from Stellenbosch University. The programme fee covers boat expenses, fuel, accommodation and research equipment.
19. Soil Management Training
AUD 1,995 for members or AUD 2,995 for non-members for all five modules, including GST, Soil Science Australia
Deadline: Rolling enrolment
Dates and format: Self-paced online modules from January to March or July to September, followed by two-day in-person field training in April to May or October to November, in Australia
A practical soil management programme for agronomists, farm advisors, agricultural consultants, extension officers and policy officers. It covers soil fundamentals, field analysis, sampling for laboratory analysis and interpreting soil test data. The training is a recognised pathway towards Registered Soil Practitioner, Soil Management accreditation, though it does not confer accreditation on its own.
20. WEDG Professionals Course
Free for eligible individuals, or US$300 for staff at for-profit firms, Waterfront Alliance
Deadline: No deadline given; register interest through the online form
Dates and format: Not specified
Free places on the Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines (WEDG) Professionals Course, funded by the Walton Family Foundation, for people working on environmental, flooding or water-related issues in states along the Mississippi River. Staff at for-profit firms working on such projects in those states can take the course at a reduced rate.
21. Coral Reef Research Hub Online Video Courses
Included with Monthly ($4.99 a month), Annual ($49.99 a year) or Group membership, The Coral Reef Research Hub
Deadline: None, self-paced
Dates and format: Online video courses, taken at your own pace
Five courses for students, aspiring scientists, researchers and marine conservation professionals: A Basic Foundation for Coral Reef Scientists, Essential ID Skills for Coral Reef Scientists, Field Techniques for Coral Reef Scientists, Introductory GIS for Marine and Reef Researchers, and Introduction to R and RStudio for Marine Scientists. Each course has a mini-exam, and learners who score 75% or higher receive a completion certificate.
SEVENSEAS Marine Conservation & Travel Magazine — No. 138 November 2026
Southern Right Whale Calf Deaths at Argentina’s Península Valdés Pass the 2012 Record
Argentina Takes the UK to the Law of the Sea Tribunal Over the Sea Lion Oil Project North of the Falklands
Argentina: A Conservation Traveller’s Guide to Whales, Wetlands, the Andes and Patagonia
Blue Planet III Premieres on BBC One, With David Attenborough Narrating at 100
Whale Shark Tagged Five Times Off Mexico’s Yucatán Tracked for Nine Years and 34,000 Miles
Buenos Aires Workshop Identifies 57 New Deep-Sea Species from Argentina’s Mar del Plata Canyon
