The Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea of the Office of Legal Affairs of the United Nations (“OLA/DOALOS”), is now accepting applications for the 2027 session of the United Nations – The Nippon Foundation Strategic Needs Fellowship Programme.
The fellowship programme which will include a four-month training programme amongst other highlights, is open to individuals who are graduates and with interest to participate in academic research and studies.
SUMMARY:
- Program Sponsor(s): UN Division (OLA/DOALOS)
- Host Institution(s): UN Headquarters, New York
- Funding Amount: Full Funding
- Number of Awards: 11 Fellows Annually
- Basic Qualification: Must be graduate
- Nationality: Citizens of Developing Countries
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the United Nations Nippon Foundation Fellowship 2027, candidates must:
- Be between the ages of 25 and 45
- Possess at least a first-level university degree or equivalent
- Demonstrate an ability to undertake advanced academic research and studies
- Be from a developing State
- Be mid-level government official or mid-level professional working directly on ocean affairs and/or the law of the sea, including but not limited to: implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and related instruments; the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; national and/or regional ocean policy; the establishment of maritime zones and/or the delimitation of maritime boundaries; coastal zone management; conservation and management of marine living resources; maritime transport and shipping; maritime security; the protection and preservation of the marine environment; and/or marine science).
- Have a strong command of spoken and written English. All Fellowship activities are conducted in English and require in-person participation. Training materials in French and Spanish are available upon request, subject to availability. The research project may be undertaken in English or French, provided that the Host Institution is able to offer supervision in the chosen language.
United Nations Nippon Foundation Fellowship 2027 | Benefits
- The fellowship is fully funded by the United Nations
- Selected Fellows participate in a four-month training programme
- Capacity building and networking
Application Procedures
How to Apply: To apply, download, complete and sign the application form (available at the official website) and fill in all the fields electronically. Kindly use the Sentence case for filling in the data (e.g. John Smith), do not use all capital letters to write your answers (e.g. JOHN SMITH). Apply your electronic or handwritten signature and use the “Save” option to save your changes. Kindly return the form as a word or pdf document.
NB: Read all instruction on the form and on at the official website (link below) before submitting the application form.
Application Deadline: 13 September 2026.
