The AIR Centre is hosting today and tomorrow a dynamic meeting, bringing together 30 PhD students from around the world to showcase their research as part of its international PhD Scholarships Programme. The event aims to highlight innovative work tackling critical challenges facing the Atlantic Ocean and its coastal regions.

Funded by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), the programme supports 3 to 4-year scholarships across a wide range of disciplines, building a truly global network of emerging ocean scientists. Research topics included marine litter, ocean accounting, robotics, earth observation, and data science – many aligning with global frameworks like the UN SDGs, the Decade of Ocean Science, and the Paris Agreement.

Students hailed from countries including Brazil, Portugal, India, South Africa, Mexico, and Spain, among others, collaborating with institutions across the Atlantic, from Norway to Cape Verde. Their work reflect both scientific excellence and a commitment to practical, policy-relevant outcomes.

More than research, this programme is about building capacity and partnerships that drive real-world ocean solutions.

By fostering interdisciplinary science and international cooperation, the AIR Centre PhD Programme continues to strengthen its role as a catalyst for sustainable ocean governance across the Atlantic.