Trans-national training contributes to building world class ocean leaders

There are two ways researchers take part in the OFI Visiting Fellowship program: as an incoming or outgoing visiting fellow (VF).

VF will be awarded to highly-qualified researchers who intend to conduct innovative, full-time, interdisciplinary and collaborative research. Incoming VFs will spend their research stay at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia or at Memorial University in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Outgoing VFs will spend their research stay at one of OFI's eight international partners.

This program supports both the continuation of research within ongoing research priority areas and/or the development of new, complementary ocean initiatives aligned with OFI’s research priorities.

Potential areas of work can include:

• Independent, specific OFI research activities
• Joint, collaborative research with OFI postgraduate students and researchers
• Individual or joint proposal writing and/or joint development of a new ocean initiative
• Postgraduate thesis co-supervision and/or mentoring
• Guest lecturing in an undergraduate course and/or graduate seminar
• Participate in or lead courses, workshops, summer schools and public lectures

Priority will be given to researchers who will travel between OFI institutes and one of OFI's eight international partners. Researchers from other universities are welcome to apply for the VF but must complete the fellowship at either Dalhousie or Memorial University.  

Applications will be considered from last-year PhD candidates, postdoctoral fellows, faculty members, independent scholars, and senior staff/technicians. A researcher who is currently taking part or has taken part in the OFI International Postdoctoral Fellowship (IPDF) program within the last two years, is not eligible to apply. 

Applications will be considered from candidates currently enrolled in a doctoral program; however, applicants are expected to complete all the requirements of their PhD degree (including thesis defense) within one year of submitting the application.

The OFI will accept applications for the incoming fellowship from the following:

• A researcher from one of OFI's eight international partners (applicants from these institutions will be given selection priority)
• A Canadian or international researcher from an accredited university or research institute interested in fostering new linkages with OFI

The OFI will accept applications for the outgoing fellowship from the following:

• A doctoral/postgraduate student, postdoctoral fellow, faculty member, or senior staff/technician from a lead OFI University (Dalhousie University or Memorial University) to visit one of the eight OFI International Partner Institutions abroad (priority).
• A doctoral/postgraduate student, postdoctoral fellow, faculty member, or senior staff/technician from a lead OFI University (Dalhousie University or Memorial University) to visit an international, accredited (non-OFI or secondary OFI Partner) university or research institute, with the purpose of fostering strong new linkages within OFI’s strategic objectives.

Duration and funding

The Fellowships will be awarded for a minimum of two weeks to a maximum of four months (120 days). The OFI will reimburse the successful VF for one round-trip economy class airline ticket to/from Halifax or St. John’s from/to the international city. In addition, successful VFs may submit a travel reimbursement claim for up to $4,000 CDN per month, pro-rated for shorter visits. Eligible expenses include: local travel (taxis), accommodation, living (e.g. health insurance) and other incidental expenses. The OFI does not provide Fellows with a research allowance and fellowships are not renewable. Note that the appointment as an OFI Fellow does not constitute an employment contract.

Working space at OFI-Dalhousie and Memorial will be equipped with wireless internet access and there will be reasonable access to printing and photocopy machines. Fellows should bring their own laptops. International hosts are expected to provide working space for fellows at those institutions.

Terms and conditions

Fellows are expected to participate in research life by providing at least one presentation of their research through a seminar or public lecture. Fellows are required to acknowledge OFI in all publications arising from the Fellowship and to notify OFI of any scholarly articles or books published, including media interviews.

Evaluation and monitoring

As an aid to evaluating the benefits of the Visiting Fellowship Program, all participants must provide a final report outlining their research outcomes, including how it supported OFI's research priorities. The report shall be submitted to ofi@dal.ca within three months of the term being completed. A template will be provided.

The application period is closed. It is expected that successful applicants will be announced by the end of March 2024; all applicants will be notified of their outcome by email.

OFI is committed to fostering a culture grounded in diversity and inclusiveness. OFI encourages applications from Indigenous persons, persons with a disability, racially visible persons, women, persons of a minority sexual orientation and/or gender identity, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community.

For further information please contact:

Tracey Woodhouse
Programs Manager
Email: tracey.woodhouse@dal.ca