UPDATED: (19 December 2025). The following candidates have been selected:
| Rank | Candidate | Sex | Country | Country Class. |
| First-ranked Candidates | ||||
| 1 | Eugenia C Thomas | F | Trinidad and Tobago | SIDS |
| 2 | Sazi SFN Nzama | M | South Africa | |
| Reserve Candidates | ||||
| R1 | Sanjeev Persad | M | Trinidad and Tobago | SIDS |
| R2 | Jini Jacob | F | India | |
| R3 | Yushma O Bhujun-Seenundun | F | Mauritius | SIDS |
| R4 | Merna Khaled Abdelaziz Metwally | F | Egypt | |
Issue date: 30 September 2025
Ifremer (French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea) pursuant to its contract for exploration for polymetallic nodules, signed with the International Seabed Authority (ISA) on 20 June 2001, is offering two (2) internship opportunities to candidates from developing States within its 2026 training programme.
Training Programme Overview:
These placements are for participation in the 2026 Meioscool Workshop which will take place at European Institute for Marine Studies (IUEM) located in Plouzané, France, from 13-17 April 2026, for a duration of 5 days.
The objective of the Workshop is to gain the basic theoretical and practical skills required to process samples and identify taxa of the benthic meiofauna. The aim of Meioscool is to bring together meiofauna experts, researchers and students from around the globe, to:
- Increase awareness of researchers, students and the general public to the fundamental role of meiofauna in marine ecosystems up to the abyssal depths.
- Train students and researchers in the identification and description of meiofauna through several complementary disciplines (taxonomy, ecology, molecular biology, microscopy, imaging, AI) with the aim of stimulating a new generation of meiobenthologists.
At the 2026 session, participants will gain hands-on experience with meiofauna sampling and extraction techniques, as well as training in advanced identification morphology, Flow Cytometry meiofauna imaging and sorting, and 3D imaging of single specimens. They will have access to the ISA-Ifremer MeioScool Training Kit and e-learning resources, and opportunities to network with leading experts and peers in meiofauna research. Additionally, there is a potential opportunity to contribute to the next generation of deep-sea biodiversity research, including describing new species.
Eligibility:
Candidates should meet the following criteria:
- Educational Background: a bachelor’s degree in Natural Sciences and currently enrolled in a master’s programme in Marine Biology (or equivalent);
- Language proficiency: must be proficient in English (written and oral)
- Travel Requirements: candidates should hold a passport with sufficient validity after the planned departure from France to comply with French Visa requirements.
- Other: Motivated and interested in meiofauna research and marine biodiversity; A background in benthic fauna and/or taxonomy is recommended but not mandatory
- Disclaimer: Employees of ISA’s exploration contractors are not eligible to apply to the Contractors’ Training Programme.
Cost Bearing:
Ifremer will cover all relevant cost for the training which includes the following: International airfares (economy class, return ticket); Accommodation and meals for the duration of the training as well as local transportation in France, if required.
Other requirements:
Trainees will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement with Ifremer and the ISA Contractors’ Training Programme Code of Conduct for Trainees prior to the start of the programme.
No later than four (4) weeks after the training has ended, the trainee shall submit an end-of-training report to Ifremer and the ISA outlining, amongst other things, the training completed, the benefits derived from the training opportunity, the knowledge gained and how the training will advance career and/or educational pursuits.
Upon successful completion of the programme, the trainee shall receive a certificate from the ISA. The trainee shall also be required to submit a supplementary report to the ISA five (5) years after the training has been completed, to allow for an assessment of the long-term benefits of the programme.
How to Apply:
All interested applicants are invited to register and submit their applications through the ISA CTP Application Portal along with their supporting documents, including:
- A copy of current passport photo;
- A copy of valid passport biopage;
- Signed nomination form [docx | pdf] by the nominating entity;
- Copy of degree(s) and/or relevant certificate(s);
- Copy of CV or Resume;
- Proof of sufficient knowledge of English, as required.
Applicants must select the following options when applying for this training opportunity on the Application Portal:
Contractor Name: French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea (IFREMER) (PMN)
Year: 2026
Programme Name: Internship
Specialization: N/A
Application Deadline: 30 October 2025. Late or incomplete applications will not be processed.
Dislcaimer:
Employees of ISA’s exploration contractors are not eligible to apply to the Contractors’ Training Programme.
One of the Voluntary Commitments registered by ISA at the 2017 UN Ocean Conference (#OceanAction 40768) and reiterated at the 2022 UN Ocean Conference aims at “Advancing women’s empowerment in marine scientific research”– As partner of the Women in Deep-Sea Research project (WIDSR), Ifremer has pledged to allocate 50% of the training opportunities to qualified women applicants.
All queries concerning this training programme should be directed to training@isa.org.jm