The United Nations-Nippon Foundation Fellowship is a nine-month capacity-building programme run by the UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS), funded by The Nippon Foundation of Japan. It is open to mid-level professionals from developing States and is built around the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. The programme has two phases: roughly 3 months of research and training at UN Headquarters in New York, followed by about 6 months of advanced research at one of around 30 participating host institutions worldwide, several of which are in the United States. The fellowship is fully funded — it provides a monthly stipend, a return economy air ticket, local transportation, visa costs, medical insurance, and accommodation support for the nine months, and partners of fellows receive a book allowance of USD 100 per month. Applicants must be aged between 25 and 40 and hold at least a first university degree. The award has run since 2004 and supports a cohort of fellows each year. Because allowances, host-institution lists, and deadlines are reset annually, confirm the current-cycle figures and closing date on the official UN DOALOS fellowship page before applying.
Applications are made on the official UN DOALOS fellowship form and submitted directly to DOALOS; the form must be certified by the nominating authority.
Although the placement can be at a US host institution, the New York phase and the host network span several countries; this is a fellowship rather than an enrolment in a degree programme.
Developing coastal States and small island developing States (open to all such nationalities)
Applications are reviewed by DOALOS against the candidate's academic background, professional experience in ocean affairs or the law of the sea, the relevance and feasibility of the proposed research, and the development needs of the candidate's home State. A competitive cohort is selected each year, so meeting the minimum criteria does not guarantee an award. Successful candidates are matched with a participating host institution for the second phase.
The UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS), part of the Office of Legal Affairs, supports States in implementing the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and runs capacity-building programmes such as this fellowship, funded by The Nippon Foundation of Japan since 2004.
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
It is administered by the UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS) and funded by The Nippon Foundation of Japan.
It is a nine-month programme: about three months of research and training at UN Headquarters in New York, followed by about six months at a participating host institution.
Yes. It covers a monthly stipend, a return economy air ticket, accommodation, local transport, visa costs, and medical insurance for the nine months.
Mid-level professionals from developing coastal States and small island developing States, aged 25 to 40, who hold at least a first university degree.
Applicants must be between 25 and 40 years of age.
It focuses on ocean affairs and the law of the sea, including marine science, maritime law, and ocean policy under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
No. The minimum requirement is a completed first university degree (Bachelor's or equivalent), though research capacity must be demonstrated.
At one of around 30 participating host institutions worldwide; several are in the United States, with others across Europe, Australia, Canada, and elsewhere.
Partners of fellows receive a book allowance of about US$100 per month (~€90 / month, est.).
Complete the official form, have it certified by your nominating authority, and email it to DOALOS at the address given in the announcement.
The call usually closes around September; confirm the exact 2026/2027 closing date on the official UN DOALOS page.
No. It is a research and training fellowship, not an enrolment in a Master's or PhD degree, although fellows undertake advanced academic research.