The United Nations in collaboration with the Nippon Foundation of Japan is offering fellowship opportunities in ocean affairs issues to government officials and other mid-level professionals from developing states.
Application Deadline: 22nd March 2026
Offered annually? Yes
Eligible Countries: International
To be Taken at (Organisation): Participating host institutions and the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
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About the Fellowship: The United Nations – Nippon Foundation Fellowship provides Government officials and other mid-level professionals from developing States with advanced training on ocean affairs and the law of the sea, as well as related disciplines, including marine science in support of management frameworks. Fellows will learn about international legal frameworks, key issues and best practices in ocean affairs, become familiar with the work of the United Nations, and develop professional skills. Fellows will also conduct individual research, under academic supervision, and develop a written thesis on a topic selected by them.
Upon completion of the Fellowship, Fellows are expected to return to their home countries and use their in-depth knowledge and extended experience to assist in formulating comprehensive ocean policy and in implementing the legal regime set out in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and related instruments, including through designing, implementing and/or evaluating specific improvement projects. For further details on the Fellowship objectives see this documentPDF
Type: Fellowship
Offered Since: 2004
Who is qualified to apply? Candidates must meet all the following criteria:
- You must be between the ages of 25 and 40;
- 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.
Women candidates are strongly invited to apply, with a view to achieving gender balance in the selection process.
Selection Criteria: Satisfaction of the above criteria must be clearly demonstrated by the candidate through the application forms.
Number of Awards: 12
Value of Nippon Award:
General
Fellows will receive a monthly stipend during their Fellowship, both during their time in New York and, for the United Nations – Nippon Foundation Fellowship on Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNNF-OALOS) Fellows, participating in the 9-month programme, during their time at the second phase host institution.
Travel
Fellows will be provided with a round-trip economy class airline ticket for travel between their home country and New York to undertake the Fellowship.
Accommodation/Housing
Fellows are responsible for securing their accommodations; in the case of the UNNF-OALOS Fellows completing the 9-month Fellowship, this is valid for both placement locations.
How to Apply:
FELLOWSHIP CONDITIONS and other useful information are contained in our FAQ page
FORMS AND DOCUMENT REQUIRED
- 2026 UNNF Fellowship on OALOS Application FormWord document
- 2026 UNNF Fellowship on OALOS Nomination and Recommendation FormWord document
- Online Application Form
- A copy of the applicant’s national passport biodata page
Reasonable accommodation may be provided, upon request, to applicants with disabilities to support their participation in the Fellowship Programme.
Only successful applicants will be individually contacted.
Kindly note that we are currently reviewing many applications. The receipt of eligible applications will be acknowledged in order it was received.
Visit Scholarship Webpage for Details
