To attract and cultivate academically outstanding PhDs, the State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science at Xiamen University (MEL) initiated the MEL PhD Fellowship in 2016. We are currently accepting applications for 2025.
I. Application requirements
Applicants for the MEL PhD Fellowship Program must have completed a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree prior to their admission date and should be seeking admission as full-time PhD students at Xiamen University. They must have consulted with a MEL faculty member and confirmed his or her role as their supervisor. The program is not open to individuals who have already earned or are currently studying for a Doctoral degree.
Applicants who start a PhD program right after completion of a bachelors will be allowed to apply for the program twice (in the year applying for the PhD and the following year).
II. Deadline for applications
From 15th October, 2024 to 1st April, 2025.
III. Research topic
Fellowships are offered in diverse fields within MEL’s research scope. And the topic of the applicant's doctoral dissertation should be related to MEL’s various research directions. (Please check out at the website: /en/RESEARCH/Research_Scope.htm).
IV. Support
MEL offers 10 PhD Fellowship places each year. Xiamen University provides every PhD student with a fixed annual stipend of RMB 33,000 (equivalent to USD 4,500) for a maximum 4 years. In addition, MEL will also provide successful applicants RMB 12,500 (equivalent to USD 1,700) per year during the same study period.
Note: Applicants who have been awarded under the Nanqiang Outstanding PhD Cultivating Program by Xiamen University are not eligible for the MEL PhD Fellowship Program.
V. Students’ assessment and responsibilities
MEL PhD Fellowship awardees are assessed annually. As part of the assessment they must give an oral presentation reporting on their research progress at the Graduate Student Academic Forum held by MEL, the College of Ocean and Earth Sciences or the College of the Environment and Ecology (MEL Graduate Student Academic Forum would be the first choice). They will be assessed by the committee panel and ranked either A, B or C. If students are not ranked “A” for 2 successive years, their annual stipend will be halved; if students are not ranked “A” for a 3rd year, their fellowship will be canceled. The fellowship will also be canceled if students are found to violate any laws, regulations, discipline or academic ethics.
Fellowship awardees must submit a one-page annual progress report at the end of each school year (normally the late June).
Fellowship awardees must acknowledge support by the MEL PhD Fellowship in their publications, presentations and other research outcomes (e.g., “This work was supported by The PhD Fellowship of the State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science at Xiamen University.”).
VI. Application Procedure
1. Applicants should first ask a member of the MEL faculty who matches their research area to be their potential supervisor. Check MEL faculty’s online profiles by visiting website /en/PEOPLE/Faculty.htm.
2. Once the faculty member has agreed to be the supervisor, the applicant should fill in the Application Form online and upload the following documents (http://melmeeting.xmu.edu.cn/fellowship/login.asp):
a) Scanned copy of the degree and graduation certificate (or equivalent documents);
b) Scanned transcript copy with the official seal/signature of the Dean's office from the home institution;
c) Scanned copy of their ID/passport;
d) Contact details of at least three referees (two of whom must be professors or of equivalent position), and must include your thesis advisor;
e) Scanned copy of English proficiency certificates (above 450 points for CET-6, 60 points for PETS-5 (WSK), above 80 points for TOEFL, above 6 for IELTS or equivalent);
f) Proof of scientific research abilities and accomplishments.
Please have a double check if you successfully submit the materials.
VII. Review process
There are two main steps in the review process, one of which is organized by the MEL PhD Fellowship Committee and the other by Xiamen University.
1. Evaluation within MEL
The MEL PhD Fellowship Committee will evaluate all the applications. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview supervised by the interview panel consisting of at least 10 academic members. The interview will be arranged in May, 2025. Candidates are required to make a presentation at this time (15 minutes for self-introduction, research accomplishments and research plan, another 5 minutes for Q&A).
Final results will be sent to all applicants by late June 2025.
2. Approval by Xiamen University
Successful candidates should follow the procedures of Xiamen University’s Admissions Office for further application needs and approval paperwork.
VIII. Contact us
Ms. Guanfei Wang, Program Assistant
State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science
Zhou Long Quan Building, Xiang’an Campus, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
Tel: 86-592-2880339
Email: gfwang@xmu.edu.cn
Website: /en/index.htm
