Blue Food Futures Research Grant Program and 2026 Fellowship Applications Now Open

The Blue Food Futures Research Grant Program and Fellowship, led by the Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions (COS) is a global initiative designed to advance research and policy action that strengthens blue food systems.

COS, part of the Woods Institute for the Environment within the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, focuses on catalyzing innovation and solutions that protect ocean health and support the people and communities who depend on marine resources.

Research Context: The Blue Food Futures Program

The Blue Food Futures Program (BFFP) builds on the groundbreaking global Blue Food Assessment and the Aquatic Blue Food Coalition. The Program advances research, coordination, and policy integration on the role of blue food systems in achieving sustainable food systems and climate resilience. By assessing both the contributions and challenges associated with blue foods, BFFP equips decision-makers with insights needed to guide national and international policy discussions on food security, biodiversity, and climate adaptation.

As part of its United Nations Ocean Decade–endorsed mission, BFFP has launched the Blue Food Futures Research Grant Program and is now accepting applications for the 2026 cohort of Blue Food Futures Fellows.

Applications Open for 2026 Blue Food Futures Fellows

Applications for the 2026 Fellowship are now open. Review of submitted applications has begun from October 31, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled.

The Fellowship empowers early-career researchers committed to advancing the role of blue foods in global food system transformation. It is specifically designed to strengthen the connection between science, policy, and action, supporting innovative research that addresses urgent challenges at the intersection of food, climate, biodiversity, and social equity.

Research Grant Program Summary

Fellows receive a six-month research stipend administered through their home institution. Funding supports place-based research, fieldwork, policy engagement, and collaboration with stakeholders including civil society organizations, private-sector actors, and governmental agencies. Fellows also benefit from mentorship by the Blue Food Futures Program leadership and global experts in blue food sustainability.

The Blue Food Futures Fellow contributes to research that fills critical knowledge gaps and produces insights that inform global food and climate initiatives. The fellowship requires approximately ten hours of work per week and includes opportunities to present research at international scientific and policy convenings.

Fellowship Benefits

• Mentorship from recognized global leaders in blue food science and policy.
• Opportunities to present research findings at international policy and scientific fora.
• Integration into a global network of researchers, policymakers, and practitioners focused on sustainable blue food systems.
• USD $10,000 in research and travel funding to support fieldwork and policy engagement.

Fellow Responsibilities

• Conduct applied research on key challenges affecting blue foods, including climate impacts, biodiversity trade-offs, global trade, and equity considerations.
• Participate in ongoing BFFP scientific working groups and contribute to one or more core research themes:
  • Blue food pathways and interactions with climate and biodiversity goals
  • Sustainable, equitable, and resilient blue food transitions
  • Engagement and nutritional implications of small-scale fisheries participation in global trade
• Co-develop a publication in collaboration with the BFFP leadership (such as a peer-reviewed article, policy brief, or white paper).
• Work closely with assigned mentors from the Science and Policy committees and the BFFP Manager.
• Translate scientific findings into actionable policy insights and recommendations that support sustainable governance of blue food systems.

Additional Fellowship Details

• The fellowship is conducted at the fellow’s existing research institution.
• Fellows must be available for virtual meetings with a geographically distributed research team and partners, which may require participation outside regular working hours.
• The position is six months in duration, requiring roughly ten hours of effort per week.

Eligibility Criteria

• Open to early-career researchers, professionals, and practitioners in academia, government, NGOs, and the private sector.
• Applicants must demonstrate active interest in one or more core topic areas:
  • Blue food pathways and climate–biodiversity interactions
  • Sustainable and equitable blue food transitions
  • Global trade and nutrition implications for small-scale fisheries
• Applicants must have earned a PhD within the last five years or be near completion of a PhD program.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English are required; proficiency in additional languages is an asset.
• Applicants must demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills, the ability to work independently, and the capacity to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Preference may be given to candidates with experience working in developing regions.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit the following materials:

• Curriculum vitae
• Cover letter
• Contact information for three references, including at least one from the applicant’s current institution

The cover letter must address:

• Previous academic research and relevant work experience
• Engagement in broader impact activities aligned with blue food research
• Motivation for applying and how the Fellowship will support long-term career development
• How the applicant’s expertise, skills, and networks will contribute to advancing the Program’s goals

Applications must be submitted through the designated Google Form. Questions may be directed to applywithcos@stanford.edu using the subject line “Grant Program App: Blue Food Futures Program.”

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