Kingston, Jamaica (06 July 2026) – The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is inviting interested candidates to apply to the 10th cohort of its Deep Dive programme until 07 August 2026.
Developed within the framework of the ISA Capacity Development Strategy, Deep Dive is the first and the only e-learning training platform exclusively devised to address all elements of the legal regime in Part XI of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 1994 Implementation Agreement, including technical and scientific aspects.
Deep Dive is designed to enhance the capacity of young graduates, government officials and practitioners from Member States, including developing States Members of ISA, personnel of partner institutions or other relevant stakeholders to understand and implement the legal regime of the Area and the different elements pertaining to the conduct of activities in the Area.
The Deep Dive online curriculum has a modular structure with three progressive levels: Dives 1, 2 and 3. For the next cohort, applicants will have the option to apply for a single Dive or for all three Dives.
Each Dive comprises modules that offer a mix of compulsory and elective lessons to ensure the successful transfer of foundational knowledge and a degree of flexibility to accommodate personal preferences:
Dive 1 comprises a mandatory module on UNCLOS and the governance of the Area. It fits the needs of individuals with little knowledge of the legal regime of the Area. It will guide students through the key features of the concept of the common heritage of humankind, the fundamental principles governing the Area, the role, functions and mandate of ISA, and the objectives of sustainable development of the Area and its resources.
Dive 2 includes a mandatory module on UNCLOS and the work of ISA and two other modules to be chosen among the five available modules. It has been designed to address the needs of individuals with some basic knowledge of the legal regime of the Area and the work of ISA but in need of further knowledge on specific aspects. Dive 2 will provide enhanced knowledge of the key areas surrounding marine mineral resources in the Area and the protection of the marine environment.
Dive 3 offers all the modules as mandatory requirements. It has been designed to address the needs of individuals with more advanced knowledge but in need of further professional development to ensure full grasp of all areas pertaining to the UNCLOS and its Part XI, marine scientific research, protection of the marine environment, methodology and use of technology activities in the Area. It includes all the modules as mandatory requirements.
The International Seabed Authority is accepting applications until 07 August 2026 from students to enroll in the e-learning course, which will take place between September and November 2026. Later applications will not be accepted. Click here to apply.
Eligibility criteria
ISA will consider only those applicants who meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Education:
- Dive 1 – Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline (with full transcript) and/or 1-2 years of relevant work No previous knowledge of ISA and the law of the sea is required.
- Dive 2 – Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline (with full transcript) and/or 3 – 4 years of relevant work Previous knowledge of ISA and the law of the sea is recommended.
- Dive 3 – Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline (with full transcript) and/or 5 or more years of relevant work Previous knowledge of ISA and the law of the sea is mandatory.
- If English is not the applicant’s mother tongue or the language of teaching and learning at the undergraduate level, applicants must submit with their registration an internationally recognized English language proficiency test. Acceptable tests include the International English Language Testing System (IELTS, band 6.0 or above), Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL – Internet-based test score 80+ and paper-based test score 550+), Cambridge examinations (level CPE/C2). If the participant does not have a recent English test score or has never participated in an English test, degrees awarded in English will be accepted.
- Complete motivation statements outlining how the programme will further the applicant’s career and/or personnel
Applicants from developing States, including least developed countries, landlocked countries and small island developing States, as well as women, are strongly encouraged to apply.
Application and selection
Interested individuals should apply through the Deep Dive registration page no later than 07 August 2026. Late applications will not be considered.
Applications will be evaluated by the Capacity Development Unit of the ISA Secretariat.
The successful candidates will be notified by 21 August 2026.
Selected participants will be granted access to Deep Dive from 1 September 2026.
Participants are required to complete their Dives not later than 30 November 2026.
The participants’ knowledge and understanding of each lesson and elective will be tested in multiple-choice quizzes and a final quiz under each Module. A minimum score of 80 per cent is required to pass the quiz. If such a score is not attained, the candidate will not be eligible for a refund.
Students wishing to earn the Deep Dive certificate for Dive 1, Dive 2 or Dive 3 must pass a final test with an overall grade of at least 80 per cent.
For enquires on nominations, please contact Ms. Nuklan Hugh, Learning and Development Assistant, at deep-dive@isa.org.jm
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About ISA
ISA is an autonomous intergovernmental organization mandated by the UNCLOS to manage the mineral resources of the seabed beyond national jurisdiction for the shared benefit of humankind. ISA is committed to ensuring that all economic activities in the deep seabed, including mining, are regulated and responsibly managed using the best available scientific evidence for the benefit of all humankind.