How a Nigerian Scholar Secured a €49,000 Erasmus Mundus MER2030 Scholarship to Study at the University of the Azores, University of the Basque Country, and University of Liège

Hello. I am Simbiat Damilola Salaudeen. I was born and grew up in the megacity of Lagos State, Nigeria. I am the third out of four daughters (yes, the middle child).

Educational Background

I studied Aquaculture and Fisheries at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria, where I graduated top of my class with a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 4.89 out of 5.0.

Right from my undergraduate days, I was very fascinated with the concept of One Health, which emphasised the interaction between human, animal, and environmental health. Hence, after my undergraduate studies, I knew I wanted to continue studying and researching, particularly in the field of aquatic toxicology.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship?

I started to search for scholarships related to this line of research. I searched online for scholarship programs, and I also consulted my teachers and senior colleagues, who directed me to schools and programs that had scholarships.

In preparation for my applications, I prepared my curriculum vitae (CV), statement of purpose, academic transcripts, and identification documents. I also took the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) and Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam, scoring 110 out of 120. My exam costs were funded by the Michael Taiwo Scholarship, which I was awarded in 2023.

Most of my applications involved single applications where I only had to apply to the school or consortium (in the case of Erasmus Mundus Scholarships).

I got shortlisted for some of my applications and had interviews. AlhamduliLlah. I was awarded three scholarships, which were:

• Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters in Aquaculture, Environment and the Society (ACES-STAR)
• Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters in Marine Environment (MER2030)
• Master's in Aquatic Animal and Ecosystem Health funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD).

After carefully considering my research interests and options, I eventually accepted the offer for MER2030 worth a total of 49,000 euros, including tuition, insurance, stipends, and travel allowance.

I’ve started the program and since it’s an European Union intramobility program, I get to study at the University of the Azores (Portugal), the University of the Basque Country (Spain), and the University of Liege (Belgium).

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

Looking back now, I’d say my CGPA, previous experience, motivation, and references made my applications strong. At the same time, I made sure that my research, work, and volunteering experiences were related to my research interest. This made it easier for me to relate my CV and essays to the programs I applied for.

What Would You Have Done Differently if You Were Going Through the Process Again?

If I could go through the process again, I would seek out mentorship much earlier because this shortens your journey to an extent. Having a mentor means there’s someone to guide you along the way, telling you what steps to take. A bonus point is that they also review your essays and documents, which is a very essential step before submitting any application.

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

A piece of advice to people looking for something similar would be to try to have a good CGPA. If this isn’t possible or if you’re done with your undergraduate studies already, then focus on other parts of your portfolio, such as your research experience, work experience, and volunteering experience. All of these contribute to your profile.