United Nations–Nippon Foundation Strategic Needs Fellowship

Benefits & funding

• Fully funded: a monthly stipend, medical insurance and round-trip economy-class airfare.
• The stipend follows established United Nations rates for the host country — a higher travel rate for the first month, a residence rate thereafter — and is normally paid in local currency.
• Medical insurance is provided through Cigna and covers general medical and hospital treatment up to a limit; specialized services and family members are not covered.
• The United Nations travel agency books all flights; fellows must not book their own.
• Eleven fellowships were offered for the 2026 session.
• Housing and visa costs are the fellow’s own responsibility and are met from the stipend.

Eligibility

• Serving government officials from developing States, with least developed countries, small island developing States and landlocked developing countries given particular attention.
• Aged 25 to 45; the selection committee may consider exceptions.
• Holds a completed first-level university degree.
• Holds a post directly relevant to ocean affairs and the law of the sea, with limited background in the field.
• Strong command of spoken and written English.
• Able to identify two strategic needs their State has to address, tied to ocean policy formulation or implementation.
• Free of other obligations and available full time in New York for the whole fellowship period.
• Nomination by the applicant’s government authority is required; that authority confirms the candidate’s role and how the training will advance the State’s ocean affairs work.
• The programme aims for 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity, and accommodates applicants with disabilities.

Application process

1. 1
   Wait for the annual call for applications, published on the programme’s Apply Now page.
2. 2
   Complete the Personal History form, setting out the two strategic needs the training should address.
3. 3
   Have the nominating government authority complete, sign and stamp the Nomination Form.
4. 4
   Complete the online form and attach a copy of a valid passport.
5. 5
   Email the full package to the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea by the stated deadline — 22 March for the 2026 session.
6. 6
   Await the award decision, announced by the end of May.

Program timeline

1. Application deadline for the 2026 session

   Mar 22, 2026

2. Award results announced

   End of May 2026

3. Fellowship begins at UN Headquarters in New York

   Early September 2026

4. Fellowship ends

   Mid-December 2026