The United Nations – Nippon Foundation Fellowship is a prestigious 9-month program designed to equip mid-level professionals and government officials from developing countries with advanced knowledge and skills in ocean affairs and the law of the sea.
This fellowship, supported by the United Nations and the Nippon Foundation, offers a unique opportunity to dive deep into international legal frameworks, marine science, and ocean governance while fostering professional development. You can also check CERN Doctoral Student Programme 2025, Switzerland
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.
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For more details on the fellowship’s objectives, refer to the official objectives document.
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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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Application Process
Applications are accepted only when a call for applications is open. The 2026 session application is currently open, with a deadline of 14 September 2025. Award results will be announced in December 2025 on the program’s news section.
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Application Steps
Follow these steps to apply for the 2025 UN – Nippon Foundation Fellowship:
- Visit the Official Website: Click the “APPLY NOW” button provided below
- 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.
- 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).
- Deadline: Applications must be submitted by September 14, 2025. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
- 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.
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For further details, visit the official fellowship page or contact DOALOS at [email protected].
