United Nations Nippon Foundation Fellowship Opportunity 2026 USA Fully Funded, United Nations Nippon Foundation Fellowship in Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea is a highly regarded, fully funded initiative designed to strengthen the expertise of mid-career professionals and government officials from developing countries. Launched in 2004, the fellowship is a collaborative effort between the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS) and The Nippon Foundation of Japan.

Its primary objective is to equip participants with the knowledge and skills required to create and implement effective ocean governance policies aligned with international legal frameworks—especially the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The program is delivered in two distinct phases. The first involves a three-month period of advanced academic training and research at DOALOS, located at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The second phase spans six months and allows fellows to pursue independent research at a selected host institution that specializes in maritime affairs and the law of the sea.

Throughout the fellowship, participants engage with leading experts, enhance their understanding of global maritime issues, and develop a research project that addresses the specific needs or priorities of their home country or region. Beyond academic and professional development, the fellowship fosters a strong international network among participants and institutions, promoting long-term collaboration in sustainable ocean governance.

Administrative coordination is managed by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), ensuring smooth operation and high-quality support throughout the program.

If you’re interested in this opportunity, we encourage you to review the full article to discover important details, including eligibility criteria, funding amounts, the selection process, and application links. If this fellowship resonates with your goals, don’t miss the chance to apply before the deadline!

Last Date of Application: 14^th September 2025

Benefits (United Nations Nippon Foundation Fellowship Opportunity 2026 USA Fully Funded)

Offers a generous monthly stipend for the entire duration of the fellowship, including both the initial training in New York and the second phase at the Host Institution

Covers economy class airfare from the fellow’s home country to DOALOS in New York, from New York to the Host Institution, and from the Host Institution back to the home country

Provides comprehensive medical insurance coverage for all selected fellows

Includes a textbook allowance of $100 per month during the second phase of the fellowship

Presents a prestigious opportunity to gain hands-on experience at the United Nations and undertake academic research in the USA

Designed to support the professional and academic development of individuals from developing countries

Enhances exposure to global policy-making and capacity-building efforts related to ocean affairs and the law of the sea.

Eligibility Criteria  (United Nations Nippon Foundation Fellowship Opportunity 2026 USA Fully Funded)

Must be between the ages of 25 and 45;

Must have successfully completed a first-level university degree or equivalent;

Demonstrate an ability to undertake advanced academic research and studies;

Be from a developing State;

Be a mid-level government official or mid-level professional dealing directly with ocean affairs and/or the law of the sea such as, but not limited to, the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and related instruments, and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly SDG-14, including in relation to the establishment of maritime zones and the delimitation of maritime boundaries, sustainable development of oceans and seas, national and/or regional ocean policy, 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 marine sciences.

Must be free of all non-Fellowship obligations during this entire period unless otherwise authorized by the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, Office of Legal Affairs.

Eligible Regions: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Kiribati, Laos, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Mongolia, Paraguay, Swaziland, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Cabo Verde, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Fiji, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Suriname, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu

How to Apply? (United Nations Nippon Foundation Fellowship Opportunity 2026 USA Fully Funded)

• Access and complete the official application form by entering all necessary information online.
• Ensure the form is signed—either digitally or by hand.
• Use the “Save” function to retain your inputs and store the file in either Word or PDF format.
• Submit the finalized and signed form, along with a scanned copy of your passport, via email to DOALOS at doalos@un.org.
• For details about institutions participating in the fellowship’s second phase, consult the relevant link provided in the application materials.
• Applicants are required to pledge that they will return to their home country upon completion of the fellowship to support national capacity development.
• The final selection list will be published in December 2025 on the official United Nations website.

Kick start your application process here

Learn more about the Fellowship Program

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