Location: United States of America
Program: Research Fellowship
Eligibility: International Students
Duration: 9 months
Deadline: September 13, 2026
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The United Nations–Nippon Foundation Fellowship on Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNNF-OALOS Fellowship) is a prestigious 9-month fellowship offered by the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS) of the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs (OLA), funded by the Nippon Foundation of Japan. The programme is designed to strengthen the capacity of developing countries in ocean affairs and the law of the sea by providing advanced training and research opportunities to mid-level government officials and professionals. The fellowship consists of two phases: Phase 1 involves a three-month training programme at DOALOS, UN Headquarters in New York, covering the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and related instruments, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (particularly SDG 14), maritime boundaries, marine environmental protection, and related fields.
The Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS) of the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs is the principal body within the UN Secretariat responsible for matters related to the law of the sea and ocean affairs. DOALOS serves as the secretariat of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and provides technical assistance and capacity building to developing States to help them implement the Convention. The Nippon Foundation, established in 1962 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is one of Japan’s largest private non-profit philanthropic organisations, committed to social innovation and international cooperation including ocean-related capacity building programmes with the United Nations through the UNNF Programmes.
Benefits of the Programme
This programme will provide the following to its recipients:
- A monthly stipend for living expenses, including accommodation, meals and transportation
- Round-trip economy class airfare
- A book allowance of $100 per month
- Medical coverage by Cigna Health Insurance
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Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for this programme, applicants must meet the following:
- Must be between 25 and 45 years of age
- Must hold at least a first university degree or an equivalent qualification
- Must demonstrate the ability to undertake advanced academic research and study
- Must be a national of a developing State
- Must be a mid-level government official or mid-level professional working directly on ocean affairs and/or the law of the sea, including but not limited to: implementation of UNCLOS and related instruments; implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (particularly SDG 14); maritime zones and maritime boundary delimitation; national and regional ocean policy; coastal zone management; conservation and sustainable management of marine living resources; maritime transport and shipping; maritime security; protection and preservation of the marine environment; and marine science and related fields
- Must have a strong command of spoken and written English — all fellowship activities are conducted in English and require in-person participation
- The research project may be undertaken in English or French, provided that the host institution can offer supervision in the chosen language
- Must obtain a Nomination Form signed and stamped by the nominating authority
- Must be medically cleared by the United Nations Medical Service — the award is contingent on such clearance
- Family members may not accompany Fellows during the fellowship placements
Note: Kindly check the official webpage for full and detailed requirements.
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Selection Criteria
Applications are reviewed by DOALOS following the September 13, 2026 deadline. Award results are posted on the DOALOS website under the News Section by mid-December 2026. Candidates are assessed on the basis of their professional background and experience in ocean affairs and the law of the sea, their academic qualifications, the quality and relevance of their proposed research project, English language proficiency, and the endorsement of the nominating authority. All three required documents the completed Application Form, the Nomination Form signed and stamped by the nominating authority, and a copy of the applicant’s valid national passport — must be uploaded through the Indico.UN platform by the September 13, 2026 deadline. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
How to Apply
CLICK HERE to visit the official webpage and submit your application.
