University of Southern Mississippi Scholarship 2027 in the USA (Fully Funded)

The University of Southern Mississippi Scholarship 2027 offers a fully funded PhD research assistantship for outstanding domestic and international students interested in coastal and marine science.

The opportunity is based at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, and provides full tuition, an annual stipend, and hands-on research experience in coastal ecosystem conservation.

University of Southern Mississippi Scholarship Summary

• Host Country: United States of America
• Host Institution: University of Southern Mississippi
• Study Level: PhD
• Eligible Countries: All Countries
• Scholarship Type: Fully Funded
• Annual Stipend: USD $28,500
• Application Deadline: 31 August 2026

About the University of Southern Mississippi Scholarship

The Gulf Coast Research Laboratory at the University of Southern Mississippi is seeking a motivated PhD student to join a funded research project under the supervision of Dr. Zachary Darnell and Dr. Kelly Darnell.

The project focuses on identifying and monitoring long-term trends in seagrass-dominated ecosystems within the Gulf Islands National Seashore. The research aims to understand the drivers of biodiversity and ecosystem productivity to support effective coastal resource management.

The selected student will participate in fieldwork across Florida and Mississippi, laboratory analyses, data processing, and scientific publication of research findings.

Scholarship Benefits

Successful applicants will receive:

• Full tuition fee waiver.
• Annual stipend of USD $28,500 for up to five years.
• Fully funded PhD research assistantship.
• Hands-on training in coastal ecosystem monitoring and marine research.
• Opportunities to contribute to study design, field sampling, data analysis, and scientific publications.
• Collaboration with experienced researchers and coastal resource management professionals.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Hold a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (applicants with a master’s degree are preferred).
• Meet the admission requirements of the School of Ocean Science and Engineering (SOSE).
• Satisfy the university’s English language requirements.
• Demonstrate strong research, writing, and communication skills.

Preference will be given to applicants with experience in:

• Seagrass ecosystem research.
• Coastal or marine ecology.
• Coastal nekton communities.
• Field sampling and ecological data collection.

However, prior experience in these areas is preferred but not mandatory.

Scholarship Conditions

Selected candidates are expected to:

• Enroll in the PhD program within the Division of Coastal Sciences.
• Begin the assistantship in Spring 2027 (flexible start dates may be considered).
• Maintain satisfactory academic and research progress throughout the funding period.
• Actively participate in fieldwork, laboratory research, data analysis, and scientific publications.

How to Apply

To apply for the University of Southern Mississippi Scholarship:

1. Review the PhD opportunity and confirm that you meet the admission requirements.
2. Prepare your cover letter, CV, academic transcripts, and professional references.
3. Email your complete application package to Dr. Zachary Darnell at zachary.darnell@usm.edu.
4. Submit all required documents before 31 August 2026 for full consideration.
5. Shortlisted applicants will be contacted regarding the next stages of the admission and selection process.