Ocean Fellowship 2021

The Ocean Fellowship Program is a funded research opportunity offered by TBA21–Academy and held at Ocean Space in Venice, Italy. The 2021 edition is closely affiliated with the exhibition The Soul Expanding Ocean #1: Taloi Havini, to be held at Ocean Space from March 20 to October 17, 2021. The fellowship also forms an integral part of The Current III (working title: The Mediterraneans: “Thus waves, come in pairs,” after Etel Adnan), a transdisciplinary and transregional exercise in sensing, listening, thinking, and learning with—by connecting and supporting situated projects, collective pedagogies, and voices along the Mediterranean shores across the fields of art, culture, science, conservation, and activism.

The program supports six fellows and two mentors to conduct individual and collaborative research as well as investigations with an awareness of oceanic worldviews and marine histories; an understanding of the changes in ocean management and recognition of indigenous marine governance and leadership; non-binarism as a philosophy; equality and social justice. This year, the Fellowship brings attention to story-telling as a method, as an “action” to portray and convey a territory, a mindset, and a substance, encouraging intergenerational exchange, building resilience in communities, and strengthening citizenship.

Eligibility 
The fellowship is aimed at undergraduate, master or PhD level students, and at recent graduates, while the mentorship is asking for scholars with a graduate or postgraduate degree with some relevant experience in teaching or mentoring, specialized in various fields of research (eg. Postcolonial and Feminist Studies, Indigenous Studies, Anthropology, Political Science, Accessibility and Educational Sciences, engineering, material sciences, medicine, humanities, social sciences, Curatorial Studies, and Critical Theory). Artists from all fields are encouraged to apply both as Fellows and Mentors. Applicants should engage critically with the oceanic and explore new forms of research. 

For the 2021 edition of the Ocean Fellowship, we are proudly partnering with Artis, who is supporting one fellow artist or researcher from Israel whose work addresses aesthetic, social, and political questions that inspire reflection and debate around oceans with an emphasis on the Mediterranean.

Budget and duration
The Ocean Fellowship Program will offer a total allowance of 5,500 EUR per fellow for the 4-month duration of the program and a total allowance of 8,000 EUR per mentor for the full duration. The allowance may be subject to tax, status will be determined on a case by case basis. Fellows and mentors are expected to finance their own travel, accommodation, and visa costs; we will support each successful applicant individually in the process of securing additional support. 

March 1–5, 2021: Introductory Group Session (online) for all Fellows
March 8–June 30, 2021: First Ocean Fellows Group (three Fellows)
June 21–October 17, 2021: Second Ocean Fellows Group (three Fellows)

Mentors are expected to engage digitally throughout the whole term of March 8–October 17, 2021. A meaningful presence of the Mentors in Venice is required to accompany their group of Fellows (to be determined on a case-by-case basis).

Application procedure
To apply, please visit the application page here. Documents required:
–A letter of motivation in English (maximum 700 words), or your application as Research Mentor; indicating your preferred period for joining the Ocean Fellowship, or for the Mentorship Program, indicating the preferred period of presence on-site (March–June or June–October);
-CV in English (maximum 4 pages); 
-Names and contact details of two professionals or academic referees familiar with your research;
-A research proposal (for fellows only).

Please send the material in one single pdf file by January 10, 2021, to oceanfellows [​at​] tba21-academy.org. 

Selection procedure
An international jury of professionals from diverse backgrounds will be formed to select the most suitable candidates in accordance with the TBA21–Academy and Ocean Space team and the upcoming program by January 30, 2021. The selected candidates will be informed of the jury’s decision by email.

Questions? Contact us at oceanfellows [​at​] tba21-academy.org. Read more about the 2020 edition of Ocean Fellowship here.