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Deadline: September 14, 2025
The 2026 United Nations – Nippon Foundation Fellowship is a prestigious training program designed to enhance the capacity of mid-level professionals and government officials from developing states to better manage ocean affairs and the Law of the Sea. This fully funded fellowship provides selected candidates with the opportunity to spend nine months in New York, United States, where they will work with experts at the United Nations Headquarters and other leading institutions. The fellowship combines advanced academic research with practical training, equipping participants with the skills needed to address pressing challenges in marine governance, sustainability, and the blue economy.
Benefits
Stipend and book allowance
General
Fellows will receive a stipend each month during their Fellowship, both during their time in New York and, for United Nations – Nippon Foundation Fellows participating in the 9-month programme, during their time at the second phase host institution. The stipend is paid from the date a Fellow departs from their home country, and ends on the date of completion of the Fellowship, including a maximum travel time of up to two days by the most direct air route, in accordance with United Nations travel rules.
Travel
Fellows will be provided with a return economy class air-ticket to travel from their home country to complete the Fellowship.
Strategic Needs Fellows will be provided with return economy class air-tickets between their home country and DOALOS in New York. Fellows undertaking the 9-month United Nations – Nippon Foundation Fellowship will be provided with economy class air-tickets to travel from their home country to DOALOS in New York, from New York to their second host institution, and from the second host institution back to their home country.
Housing
Fellows are responsible for securing their accommodations; in the case of United Nations – Nippon Foundation Fellows completing the 9-month Fellowship this is valid for both placement locations. In certain cases, it may be possible for Fellows to make the appropriate arrangements through their host institutions. Nonetheless, all such arrangements are the sole responsibility of the Fellows.
Book allowance
In addition to the stipend, the United Nations – Nippon Foundation Fellows (the 9-month Programme) will be provided with a Book Allowance of US$100 per month for the phase two of the Fellowship ($600 altogether). This allowance will be transferred to the Fellow either as a lump-sum payment, or on a monthly basis with each stipend payment.
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Fellowship structure, curriculum and deliverables
The 9-month Fellowship Programme is composed of two consecutive phases which provide Fellows with advanced and customized research and training opportunities in their chose fields:
- Phase One: 3-month Research and Training, which is normally undertaken between March/April and June at DOALOS at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
- Phase Two: 6-month Advanced Academic Research and Study, which is normally undertaken between July and December at one of the prestigious participating Host Institutions and under the guidance of subject matter expert(s) who have recognized in-depth expertise in the Fellows’ chosen field of study.
Deliverables
The deliverables of the Fellowship Programme are:
- A 100-page written thesis
- A presentation of the research
- An ocean governance matrix
In addition, a number of assignments will be completed in the context of the training curriculum delivered during phase one of the programme.
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates wishing to be considered for a Fellowship award must ensure that they meet all the following criteria:
- You must be between the ages of 25 and 45;
- You must have successfully completed a first university degree, and demonstrate a capacity to undertake independent advanced academic research and study;
- You must be a mid-level professional from a national government organ of a developing State, or another governmental or non-governmental agency in such a State, which deals directly with ocean affairs issues, and your professional position must allow you to directly assist your nation in the formulation and/or implementation of policy in this area. This includes marine sciences and the science-policy linkage. Your “Nomination and Recommendation Form” should be completed by a Government official or other official who can attest to the nature of your work with respect to the Government’s ocean affairs and law of the sea related activities, and indicate how an Award would directly contribute to these activities;
- Your proposed research and study programme must contribute directly to your nation’s formulation and/or implementation of ocean affairs and law of the sea policies and programmes; and
- You must be free of all non-Fellowship obligations during the entire Fellowship period unless otherwise authorized by the Division.
Application Process and Documents Required
Interested candidates should:
- Complete the online application form via the official UN–Nippon Foundation Fellowship portal.
- Submit the following documents:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- Personal Statement outlining motivation and relevance of the fellowship to their career.
- Research proposal on ocean affairs or maritime law.
- Letter of nomination from their government or institution.
- Copies of academic transcripts and certificates.
Only complete applications submitted before the deadline will be considered.
