SMSOE - Rhodes Academy of Ocean Sciences Law and Policy Scholarship
The School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering is pleased to announce a full scholarship to the Rhodes Academy of Oceans Law and Policy. The Rhodes Academy is an international collegial institution dedicated to fostering a better understanding of the modern law of the sea. Through education on the principles of contemporary oceans law and policy, the Rhodes Academy seeks to promote adherence to the rule of law in the world’s oceans.
The Rhodes Academy entails an intensive, three-week course of study, with lectures by leading jurists, practitioners, and international law faculty from around the world. The program focuses on the foundations of modern oceans law, specific topics under the rubric of oceans law and policy, and current concerns to the international community.
What the scholarship includes:
- Full tuition
- Travel expenses: airfare, ground transportation, lodging, per diem and incidentals.
Program details:
June 28 – July 27, 2026
Rhodes, Greece
Requirements:
- Applicants must either hold at least a master’s degree or be in the process of pursuing one.
- Applicants must be current UNH or UNH Law students or employed at the University of New Hampshire or UNH Law.
Application deadline: April 15, 2026
The program is geared toward young professionals either working on law of the sea issues for governments or in academic settings and/or pursuing an advanced degree.
The program is for both ocean law and ocean policy scholars. Each applicant is evaluated on an individual basis, and applicants are advised to outline in their statement of purpose the benefits of being admitted to the program. Individuals with a specialization in marine science who have some background in oceans law or policy may also apply.
Individuals interested in this opportunity should submit the following materials to marine.information@unh.edu by close of business on April 15, 2026.
- Statement of Purpose: As an attachment, please provide a one-page statement of purpose setting out your reasons for attending the Rhodes Academy. The Statement should include the relevance of the Academy to your personal and/or professional goals, and past or anticipated future experience.
- Curriculum Vitae: One-page resumé or curriculum vitae indicating educational background (including any honors awarded), related work experience including a description of current duties, and any other information you feel is relevant to your application
- Language Requirements: All courses at the Rhodes Academy will be taught in English. Therefore, applicants whose first language is not English should provide evidence of reasonable proficiency in English. Examples of evidence of proficiency in English include a passing TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score, participation in similar academic programs, scholarly publications in English, a certificate of English from the individual's Embassy, or letters from persons familiar with the individual's abilities with English (optional if English is your first language)
- Letters of Recommendation: Your application must be supported by two brief letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with your qualifications. The letters may be sent together or individually.
Founded in 1995, the Rhodes Academy is held on an annual basis. The Academy is a cooperative undertaking by international law experts and sponsoring universities and institutions.
The current directors:
- Robert Beckman, Professor Emeritus, Centre for International Law, National University of Singapore (Singapore)
- Tomas Heidar, Law of the Sea Institute of Iceland (Reykjavik, Iceland)
- Larry Mayer, Professor and Director Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping, University of New Hampshire
- Alex Oude Elferink, Netherlands Institute for the Law of the Sea, Utrecht University (Utrecht, the Netherlands)
- Nikos Skourtos, Aegean Institute of the Law of the Sea and Maritime Law (Rhodes, Greece).
- UNH’s School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering, the Korea Maritime Institute (Busan, Korea) and the Ankara University National Center for the Sea and Maritime Law (Ankara, Turkey) are associate sponsors.
- Administrative activities outside Rhodes Academy are administered through UNH’s School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering.
- Learn more here
Anderson Family Fund
The Anderson Family Endowed Fund for the School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering was established through the generosity of Dr. Herbert R. Anderson Jr. '48 in memory of his wife, Marjorie, and his daughter, Kristin. The fund is intended to provide scholarship support for UNH students undertaking biomedical research investigating human health and using marine organisms as models. First preference will be given to students studying cancer and other disease processes. Awards will be based on merit. The successful applicant will receive an award of up to $3,000. Recipients are asked to provide a brief summary of their research at the conclusion of the 2026-27 academic year.
The application portal is closed. Please check back in early 2027 for next call.
William R. Spaulding Endowment
The William R. Spaulding Marine Program Endowment was established through the generosity of Mr. William R. Spaulding of Wakefield, Mass., to provide support for UNH students undertaking research at the Jackson Estuarine Laboratory (JEL). This competitive program will provide support for one UNH student to assist with their research activities at JEL. Undergraduates in junior or senior standing and graduate students are eligible to apply. Successful applicants will receive an award up to $3,000. Funds will be provided to support research during the summer of 2026 and/or the 2026-27 academic year. Recipients are asked to provide a brief summary of their JEL-related research at the conclusion of the 2026-27 academic year.
The application portal is closed. Please check back in early 2027 for next call.
Additional Scholarship and Fellowships Resources
Shoals Marine Laboratory
The Shoals Marine Laboratory (SML) has a number of scholarship opportunities for undergraduates interested in attending a summer course through the laboratory.
learn more about shoals marine laboratory scholarships here
SML also offers a variety of paid summer internship programs for undergraduate students. These internships cover a whole spectrum of marine science research topics, from intertidal ecology to sustainable engineering in an island environment.
learn more about shoals marine laboratory Internships
UNH Fellowships Office
The UNH Fellowships Office provides information, counsel, and editorial support to highly motivated students (undergraduates, graduate students, and UNH alumni) applying for national and international fellowships and scholarships. The office also assists faculty members who serve as mentors and recommenders.
- Scholarship Essentials
- Search Office of National Fellowships Database
- Contact the Office of National Fellowships
CCOM-SURF Fellowship
The Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping (CCOM) at the University of New Hampshire is a national center for excellence for the development of state-of-the-art ocean mapping technologies and for training the next generation of ocean mappers. CCOM’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program is designed to create research experiences for undergraduate students who are interested in pursuing graduate work. SURF is aimed primarily at students who are working toward a degree in science, engineering, or math and are completing their junior year.
NH Sea Grant Brian E. Doyle Fellowship
Fellows spend the summer working with New Hampshire Sea Grant staff seeking to help individuals and organizations make informed decisions regarding our marine resources. These paid opportunities are appropriate for a wide range of majors and lead to undergraduate students participating in such program areas as fisheries and aquaculture, marine literacy, coastal communities and climate adaptation, and communication.
Additional Fellowship Opportunities
- Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Graduate Fellowship Program
- David H. Smith Conservation Research Fellowship Program
- Dissertation Proposal Development Fellowship (DPDF) Program
- EPA Research Fellowships and Scholarships
- National Sea Grant Graduate Fellowships