The United Nations Nippon Foundation Fellowship (Fully Funded)

Applications are now open for the 2026 United Nations – Nippon Foundation Fellowship, a 9-month, fully funded program designed for mid-level professionals and government officials from developing countries. This prestigious fellowship focuses on advanced training in ocean affairs and the law of the sea, equipping participants with skills to shape ocean governance and policy.

The program, offered at no cost to fellows, includes training at UN Headquarters in New York and research at renowned host institutions. There is no application fee, and the deadline to apply is 14 September 2025. Eligible candidates aged 25–45 from developing states can apply to contribute to their nation’s ocean policies. You can also check BS, MS and PhD positions

Key Details

• Program Duration: 9 months (March–December 2026)
• Fields of Study: Ocean affairs, law of the sea, marine science, ocean governance
• Funding: Fully funded (no cost to fellows)
• Eligibility: Mid-level professionals/government officials from developing countries, aged 25–45, with a first-level university degree
• Application Deadline: 14 September 2025
• Application Fee: None

Program Objectives

The fellowship aims to:

• Provide advanced training in ocean affairs, the law of the sea, and related disciplines, including marine science.
• Familiarize fellows with international legal frameworks, key issues, and best practices in ocean governance.
• Enhance professional skills through hands-on research and training.
• Enable fellows to conduct independent research under academic supervision, culminating in a written thesis.
• Empower fellows to return to their home countries and contribute to formulating and implementing comprehensive ocean policies aligned with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Also check: Schwarzman Scholars Program 2026

Fellowship Structure and Curriculum

The 9-month program is divided into two phases:

Phase One: Research and Training (3 Months)

• Duration: March/April to June
• Location: Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York
• Focus: Fellows engage in intensive research and training tailored to their chosen fields, gaining insights into global ocean governance frameworks.

Check also: Biozentrum PhD Fellowships

Phase Two: Advanced Academic Research and Study (6 Months)

• Duration: July to December
• Location: One of the prestigious host institutions worldwide
• Focus: Fellows conduct advanced academic research under the guidance of subject matter experts, focusing on their chosen area of study.

Since 2004, the program has trained approximately 200 individuals, with 14 fellowships available for the 2025 session.

Deliverables

Fellows are expected to produce:

• A 100-page written thesis
• A research presentation
• An ocean governance matrix
• Additional assignments as part of the training curriculum in Phase One

See also: DAAD EPOS Scholarships 2026

For a detailed overview of the curriculum, see the curriculum document. For full program requirements, refer to the reporting requirements document.

Explore research thesis from previous fellows in the research database.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the fellowship, candidates must meet the following requirements:

• Be between 25 and 45 years old.
• Hold a first-level university degree and demonstrate the ability to undertake advanced academic research.
• Be a mid-level professional or government official from a developing state, working directly on ocean affairs, marine sciences, or science-policy linkages.
• Have a professional role that supports their nation’s formulation or implementation of ocean affairs and law of the sea policies.
• Propose a research and study program that directly contributes to their nation’s ocean policy or law of the sea initiatives.
• Be free of all non-fellowship obligations during the 9-month program, unless otherwise authorized by DOALOS.

Read: The Vice-Chancellor’s PhD Scholarships at University of West London

The program is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply, and reasonable accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities upon request.

Benefits of the Fellowship

The UN – Nippon Foundation Fellowship is fully funded, covering the following:

• Monthly Stipend: Covers lodging, meals, and local transportation. Stipend rates vary by country, based on UN standards.
• Travel Costs: Return economy class airfare from your home country to New York, and from New York to the host institution (for the 9-month program).
• Medical Insurance: Provided by the host organization for the duration of the fellowship.
• Book Allowance: $100 per month during Phase 2 ($600 total) to support research materials.
• Professional Networking: Opportunities to connect with global ocean experts, UN professionals, and fellow participants.

Check also

Application Steps

Follow these steps to apply for the 2025 UN – Nippon Foundation Fellowship:

1. Visit the Official Website: Click the “APPLY NOW” button provided below
2. Complete Application Forms:
   • Personal History and Proposed Research Topic Form: Fill out details about your background, education, employment, and proposed research topic (download here).
   • Nomination and Recommendation Form: This must be completed by a nominating authority (government or professional agency) to endorse your application (download here).
   • Online Application Form (download here)
   • Use sentence case (e.g., John Smith) for all entries, not all capital letters.
3. Submit Documents:
   • Once all the forms attached above are completed and signed, email them (as Word or PDF) [email protected] (also add a copy of your passport biodata).
4. Deadline: Applications must be submitted by September 14, 2025. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
5. Selection Notification: Successful candidates will be notified individually, with a list of awardees and reserves published on the fellowship website in December 2025. For additional information, consult the FAQ page.

Read also: HKUST Fully-Funded Postgraduate Scholarships