The 2026 United Nations–Nippon Foundation Fellowships are now open for applications. This fully funded programme in New York brings together two prestigious tracks:
- UNNF Strategic Needs Fellowship 2026
- UNNF Ocean Governance Fellowship for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) 2026
Delivered by the United Nations through the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (OLA/DOALOS) in partnership with The Nippon Foundation, these fellowships support government officials from developing countries working on ocean affairs, maritime law, and implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). If you are directly involved in national ocean policy, maritime boundary issues, climate-ocean governance, or marine environmental protection, this is one of the most competitive fully funded UN fellowships for 2026.
UN–Nippon Foundation Fellowships 2026 -Overview
- Host Organization: United Nations (OLA/DOALOS)
- Location: New York, USA
- Fellowship Tracks: Strategic Needs & SIDS Fellowship
- Duration: 3–4 months (Sept–Dec 2026)
- Funding Type: Fully Funded
- Total Awards: 21 Fellowships (11 Strategic Needs + 10 SIDS)
- Eligible Applicants: Government officials from developing countries (SIDS track limited to SIDS nationals)
- Application Deadline: 22 March 2026
Both fellowships take place at UN Headquarters in New York and are designed to build national capacity in ocean governance and international maritime law.
UN Nippon Foundation US Fellowship Tracks
1. Strategic Needs Fellowship 2026
Designed to assist developing States, especially:
- Least Developed Countries (LDCs)
- Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
- Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs)
Focus areas include:
- Implementation of UNCLOS and related agreements (including BBNJ)
- Maritime boundary delimitation
- National ocean policies
- Marine living resource management
- Ocean and climate change
- SDG 14 and sustainable development implementation
2. Ocean Governance Fellowship for SIDS 2026
Tailored specifically for government officials from Small Island Developing States, with emphasis on:
- Climate resilience and ocean governance
- Blue economy strategies
- Marine pollution and ocean plastic
- Biodiversity protection
- Gender considerations in ocean policy
SIDS Fellows also integrate into joint training activities with Strategic Needs Fellows, expanding their professional network and exposure.
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Available Focus Areas
Applicants must be working directly on issues such as:
- Implementation of UNCLOS
- Maritime zones and boundary delimitation
- Coastal zone management
- Marine environmental protection
- Maritime transport and shipping
- Maritime security
- Ocean and climate change
- Marine science and sustainable blue economy
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Eligibility Criteria for UN Fellowships in USA 2026
To qualify for the UNNF Fellowships 2026, candidates must:
- Be 25–45 years old
- Hold at least a first-level university degree
- Be a government official dealing directly with ocean affairs or law of the sea matters
- Demonstrate strong English proficiency
- Propose a study programme aligned with national ocean policy implementation
- Be free from non-fellowship obligations during the programme
For the SIDS track:
- Must be a national of a Small Island Developing State
Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation is available for applicants with disabilities.
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Application Process for UNNF Fellowships 2026
Follow the steps below carefully to apply for fully funded International fellowship to study and work in the United States with monthly stipend.
Step 1: Review the official call for un nippon foundation fellowship 2026 and prepare your International fellowships application accordingly.
Step 2: Download the fellowships application materials and fill them carefully to apply for the fully funded un fellowship 2026. Click Below Links to Download the Application Forms
- Personal History and Proposed Research/Study Programme Application Form
- Nomination Form (signed and stamped by the nominating authority)
Step 3: Submit the Fully Funded Fellowships in the New York application form online
Click Here to Submit the Online Application Form for United Nations Fellowship 2026
Step 4: Complete the application by sending the above forms (step 2) along with the required documents to the following email address;
Email subject line:
“2026 UNNF Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Strategic Needs Fellowships”
Fellowships Financial Benefits
The 2026 United Nations–Nippon Foundation Fellowships provide:
- Monthly stipend (to cover living expenses in New York)
- Round-trip economy class airfare
- Medical insurance coverage
This comprehensive support makes it one of the most prestigious fully funded ocean governance fellowships globally.
Apply Now- Work with United Nations
The 2026 United Nations–Nippon Foundation Strategic Needs and SIDS Fellowships offer a rare opportunity for government officials to strengthen national ocean governance capacity at the United Nations in New York. If your work directly contributes to maritime law, ocean policy, climate governance, or sustainable blue economy development, this fully funded fellowship can significantly enhance both your professional trajectory and your country’s policy capacity.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is the 2026 UN–Nippon Foundation Fellowship fully funded?
Yes. It covers stipend, airfare, and medical insurance.
Can I apply to both tracks?
Yes, eligible applicants may apply to one or both, but can only be selected for one.
Where is the fellowship hosted?
At United Nations Headquarters in New York, USA.
How many fellowships are available?
21 total (11 Strategic Needs + 10 SIDS)
When will results be announced?
By the end of May 2026.
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