Africa Centre of Excellence in Coastal Resilience |  University of Cape Coast

Plastic pollution has emerged as one of the most pressing global environmental challenges of our time, impacting the health of our ocean and aquatic ecosystems. In Ghana, the excessive use and disposal of single-use plastics coupled with the inadequacy of our waste management systems is severely impacting our marine environment and it is imperative that urgent solutions are identified and implemented. To effectively combat this challenge, however, there is the need for comprehensive data on types, quantities, sources, drivers and impacts of plastics in the marine environment.

The Centre for Coastal Management is therefore inviting applications for grants for master students in the second year at the University of Cape Coast who wish to conduct research in the area of plastic pollution (including microplastics) within the Ghanaian coastal and marine environment.  The grants will cover research costs only.

Eligibility criteria:

1. Must be a master's student at the University of Cape Coast studying programmes such as Environmental Science, Integrated Coastal Zone Management, Geography and other related programmes
2. Must have successfully completed first year course work and preparing to start second year research

Requirements:

1. A cover letter
2. A short research proposal (max. 3 pages without references) with the following elements:
   1. Title
   2. Background
   3. Objectives
   4. Relevance
   5. Methodology
   6. Expected outcomes
   7. Work plan (timeframe for project must not exceed 12 months)
   8. References
3. A recommendation letter

Expected Project Outputs:

1. MPhil Thesis
2. Evidence of submission of manuscript for publication (under review) 

Submit your applications to:

The Ag. Director

CCM-ACECoR

UCC

Via email address: acecor@ucc.edu.gh

Deadline for submission: 31^st October 2025