The United Nations - Nippon Foundation Strategic Needs Fellowship 2026

The Strategic Needs Fellowship aims to enable developing States, particularly least developed countries, small island developing States and landlocked developing countries, to better address strategically important and time-sensitive issues facing them in ocean affairs and the law of the sea. Government officials from developing States with a limited background in ocean affairs and the law of the sea, who are filling key positions in their Administration, are provided with in-depth highly customized training on ocean affairs and the law of the sea, with a focus on those areas in which States have identified critical capacity barriers.

Upon completion of the Fellowship, Fellows are expected to return to their positions and use their training on international legal frameworks, key issues and best practices in ocean affairs, the work of the United Nations, and professional skills, to assist their States in the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and related instruments, as well as Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 and other related SDGs. For further details on the Fellowship objectives see this document

• Table of Content
• About United Nations
• United Nations Fellowship
• Aim and Benefits of United Nations Fellowship
• Requirements for United Nations Fellowship Qualification
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

United Nations Fellowship

Aim and Benefits of United Nations Fellowship

The Fellowship is fully funded and includes:

• a monthly stipend,
• medical insurance, and
• round-trip economy class airfare.

Requirements for United Nations Fellowship Qualification

States are invited to nominate Government officials with limited background in ocean affairs and the law of the sea, who are filling key positions in their Administration and who are tasked with assignments relating to the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and related instruments, as well as Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 and other related SDGs.

Nominated candidates must meet all the following criteria:

1. Be between the ages of 25 and 45;
2. Have successfully completed a first-level university degree;
3. 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;
4. Have strong command of oral and written English (note: the activities of the Fellowship are delivered in English);
5. The identified needs must directly relate to the State's formulation and/or implementation of ocean affairs and law of the sea policies and programmes;
6. Be free of all non-Fellowship obligations during the entire Fellowship period, unless otherwise authorized by the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, Office of Legal Affairs.

Satisfaction of the above criteria must be clearly demonstrated by the candidate through the application forms and confirmed by a Nominating Authority. The "Nomination and Recommendation Form" must be completed by a Government official who can attest to the nature of the candidate’s work with respect to the Government's ocean affairs and law of the sea related activities, and indicate how an Award would directly contribute to these activities.

The Programme is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its participants. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided, upon request, to applicants with disabilities to support their participation in the Programmes.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

To apply, candidates must:

1. Complete the required application forms
   • Personal History and Proposed Research/Study Programme Application Form
   • Nomination Form
   • Online form
2. Submit the application forms, along with a copy of their passport, to the following email address: [email protected], with the email subject line "2026 UNNF Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Strategic Needs Fellowships".

For more information, kindly visit United Nations webpage.