Marine Ecosystem Health & Conservation (MARES), Erasmus Mundus, Europe

MARES is a Joint Doctoral Programme on Marine Ecosystem Health & Conservation funded through Erasmus Mundus. The programme is offered by a consortium of 24 partners originating from 14 different countries. MARES will focus on six scientific and applied fields, all dealing with the effects of the impact of humans on the natural marine environment.

MARES is funded for 5 years and offers for each of these 5 years approximately 9 fellowships for doctoral researchers. These fellowships are funded for 3 years and always involve at least 2 partners with an obligatory mobility component. The call for applications is open between September and December for fellowships starting at the earliest in September the year after.

The application process happens fully online. Applicants have to register an account, fill in an online application form and upload the required documents before the deadline in December. It is not necessary to do everything in one session. The application form will save all inputted information, so it’s possible to continue completing this form at a later date.

Candidates WITH an Erasmus Mundus PhD Grant

• Category A candidates: candidates who come from a country other than EU member states and who are not residents nor have carried out their main activity (studies, work, etc.) for more than a total of 12 months over the last five years in these countries. (The only exception to this rule applies to Third-Country (non-EU) candidates who have previously received an Erasmus Mundus masters scholarship).
• Category B candidates: Any candidate who does not fulfill the criteria of a category A applicant.
• Window candidates: Each year the EU can offer extra grants for candidates from specific areas. Usually 1 additional grant is available each year for candidates coming from Western Balkan (more info) and Turkey. These candidates should apply under “Category A”.

Study requirements
A prerequisite for admission is that applicants have a Master degree in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Sciences, Oceanography, Marine Sciences, Marine Biodiversity and Conservation, or other equivalent degrees with a minimum of 60 credits for the Master degree.

In fact a minimum requirement of 240 ECTS combining the B.Sc. and M.Sc. (or equivalent to 4 years of graduate studies with thesis) is eligible. This includes Bachelor of Honor degrees, as long as these included a thesis and took 4 years of full time study.

Sidenote: In case you are still studying for your Master during the application phase and as such cannot upload your master degree, then you will have to submit proof that you are close to finishing your Master, e.g. a proof from your university that states you are enrolled in your last year (and you could add a statement from your master thesis supervisor confirming that you will shortly be submitting your thesis and are expected to graduate this academic year.)

Language requirements
A recent (max 3 years old) proof of knowledge of the English language is also a requirement (CEF-level – C1).  The following proofs of English will be allowed:

• TOEFL Certificate: minimum score: 570 points (Paper) or 87 points (Internet)
• IELTS Certificate: minimum score: 6.5
• First Certificate in English of the University of Cambridge
• Certificate of a University Language Centre testifying that the student masters the necessary knowledge of English to function academically (specify CEF-level) – C1 level
• A proof that the candidate followed at least 2 Years of higher education fully taught in English. This needs to be an official document fromt he university.

Sidenote: In case you are unable to submit the test results in time during the application phase due to examination dates taking place after the application deadline, then you need to upload a proof that shows you have registered to take one of these tests. You should then send the test results by email (to mares@ugent.be) as soon as you receive them. This is the only possible exception to not submitting one of the above proofs.

Selection Criteria:
Eligibility criteria:

• Diploma Requirements (yes/no)
  • A prerequisite for admission is that applicants have a Master degree in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Sciences, Oceanography, Marine Sciences, Marine Biodiversity and Conservation, or other equivalent degrees. In fact a minimum requirement of 240 ECTS or equivalent to 4 years of graduate studies with thesis is eligible.
  • Paper versions of diplomas (or transcript of records for those who have not yet obtained their diploma)
• Language Requirements (yes/no)
  • A recent TOEFL Certificate: minimum score: 570 points (Paper) or 87 points (Internet)
  • Or a recent IELTS Certificate: minimum score: 6.5
  • Or a recent First Certificate in English of the University of Cambridge
  • Or a recent Certificate of a University Language Centre testifying that the student masters the necessary knowledge of English to function academically (specify CEF-level) – C1 level
  • Or a recent proof that the candidate followed at least 2 Years of higher education taught in English

Evaluation criteria:

• Study Results (score from 1 to 5)
  • Weight of 35%
• Motivation Letter (score from 1 to 5)
  • Weight of 35%
• Recommendation Letters (score from 1 to 5)
  • Weight of 10%
• Scientific output / Relevant skills / Experiences / CV (score from 1 to 5)
  • Publications (international peer reviewed) and posters
  • Weight of 20%

Without prejudice to high academic standards, in order to ensure geographical diversity among the doctoral candidates, no more than two doctoral candidates with the same nationality can be awarded an EMJD fellowship in the same Edition of the same Doctoral programme

Indicative Timeline:

• Application phase: September – December
• Evaluation phase: December – January
• Awarding decision / meeting : early February
• Provisional Selection status (and preliminary communication): by the end of February.
• Final approval by EACEA: expected early May.

The next call for applications – for MARES’ Fourth Edition – has been opened September 1st 2013 and will be closed December 1st 2013. This for fellowships starting September 2014 at the earliest.

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