The objective of the United Nations Nippon Foundation Fellowship Programs is to provide opportunities for advanced education and research in the field of ocean affairs and the law of the sea.

This Fellowship is still ongoing and you can apply now.

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.

What are the Host Institutions?

Visit the Host Institutions page to see the list of Host Institutions.

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.

They will also be implementing the legal regime set out in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and related instruments.

This includes designing, implementing, and/or evaluating specific improvement projects. For further details on the Fellowship, objectives see this documentPDF.

Fellowship Program Details

Area: Marine sciences and the ocean science-policy linkage.
Number of awards: 14.
Duration: 1st phase of 3 months at United Nations Headquarters in New York (normally April through June) and 2nd phase of 6 months at host institutions.
Target group: Opened to nationals of developing coastal countries

Application Process and Eligibility Criteria for Nippon Foundation Fellowship Program

The United Nations Nippon Foundation Fellowship 4

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 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, that 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 the law of 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.

Satisfaction with the above criteria must be clearly demonstrated by the candidate through the application forms and confirmed by a nominating authority.

Women candidates are strongly invited to apply, with a view to achieving gender balance in the selection process.

Applications are welcome only when a call for applications is open.

Click here to apply.

What are the Benefits of this Fellowship?

Fellows of the United Nations Fellowship will:

Explore international legal frameworks, key matters, and best practices in ocean affairs.
Get familiar with the work of the United Nations, and build professional skills.
Carry out individual research, under academic supervision, and a written thesis on a topic of their choice.

Other monetary benefits of United Nations Fellowship:

Monthly stipend during the fellowship.
A return economy class flight ticket.
Medical insurance 100 %.
Housing: fellows are responsible for securing it.

How to Apply for the United Nations Nippon Foundation Fellowship Program

The applicants have to fill out the online application form.
The application must be typewritten and or word-processed.
The applicants must answer all the questions completely and clearly.
Special attention must be paid to the sections 18,19,20,21, and 23 of the application.
The applicant must provide a correct personal history.
A proposed research and study program plan must be given.
The application form must be signed or attested by the nominating authority or officer in charge.
Submit the signed form through email directly at doalos@un.org.

Application Deadline:

The application deadline for the United Nations Nippon Foundation Fellowship is 16 February 2025.

For the conditions of the Fellowship, including travel, stipend payments, visas, medical clearance, insurance, and housing, please see the Fellowship Conditions page.

Summary

This fellowship consists of two phases:

1st phase: 3-month Research and Training, which is normally conducted between March/April and June at DOALOS at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
2nd phase: 6-month Advanced Academic Research and Study, which is normally undertaken between July and December at one of the prominent participating Host Institutions.

The deliverables of the Fellowship Programs are: