UN-Nippon Foundation Fellowship 2026 in USA | Fully Funded

The UN-Nippon Foundation Fellowship 2026 in USA is a fully funded strategic needs and ocean governance program for government officials from developing countries. It focuses on building capacity in ocean affairs and the law of the sea, including policy implementation, maritime boundaries, marine conservation, and climate change.

The fellowship is administered by the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS) of the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs, in partnership with The Nippon Foundation. It aims to support developing states, particularly Small Island Developing States (SIDS), in formulating and implementing critical ocean-related policies.

UN-Nippon Foundation Fellowship Benefits

• Fully funded fellowship
• Reasonable accommodation is provided upon request for applicants with disabilities

UN-Nippon Foundation Fellowship Eligibility Criteria

• Be between the ages of 25 and 45
• Have completed a first-level university degree
• Be Government officials from developing countries dealing directly with critical issues related to the implementation of UNCLOS and related instruments, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; national and/or regional ocean policies; establishment of maritime zones and 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; ocean and climate change; and marine science
• Have a strong command of oral and written English (note: the activities of the Fellowship are delivered in English)
• Their proposed study programme must contribute directly to the State’s formulation and/or implementation of ocean affairs and law of the sea policies and programmes
• Be free of all non-Fellowship obligations during this entire period unless otherwise authorised by the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, Office of Legal Affairs
• For the Ocean Governance Fellowship for SIDS: Be from a Small Island Developing State (SIDS)

How to Apply for UN-Nippon Foundation Fellowship

1. Download the Personal History and Proposed Research/Study Programme Application Form and fill in all the fields electronically, in addition to the online form
2. Download the Nomination Form, which is to be completed, signed and stamped by the Official nominating the candidate.
3. The Application package consists of three documents and an online form: The completed and signed softcopy Personal History and Proposed Research Application Form; The signed and stamped softcopy Nomination Form; A copy of the applicant’s national passport biodata page; and the online form
4. Once the soft copies of both the “Personal History and Proposed Research/Study Form” and the “Nomination Form” are completed and signed, please email them directly to DOALOS at [email protected], along with a copy of the passport biodata page, with the subject line “2026 UNNF Fellowships Application Package”, within the established deadline

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are the most frequently asked questions about the UN-Nippon Foundation Fellowship 2026. These answers cover eligibility, benefits, deadlines, and how to apply based on the official program information.