United Nations - The Nippon Foundation Fellowship Programme on Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea 2026

The Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea of the Office of Legal Affairs of the United Nations (“OLA/DOALOS”) is now accepting applications for the 2026 session of the United Nations - The Nippon Foundation (UNNF) Fellowship Programme.

Objectives:
The objective of the UNNF Fellowship on Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea is to provide mid-level Government officials and other mid-level professionals from developing States dealing directly with ocean affairs and/or the law of the sea with funded advanced training in the field of ocean affairs and the law of the sea, or related disciplines including marine science in support of management frameworks. The aim is for participants to acquire the necessary skills to support their States in the implementation of the legal framework set out in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and related instruments, while also enabling them to formulate comprehensive ocean management regimes, including within the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
 

Structure:
The UNNF Fellowship is structured as a 9-month Programme, divided into two phases:
• Phase One: A three-month training phase with OLA/DOALOS at United Nations Headquarters in New York (from approximately mid-March to June 2026).
• Phase Two: A six-month research stay at an academic Host Institution participating in the UNNF Programmes, selected for its expertise in the Fellow’s field of research (from July to December 2026).
 

Eligibility criteria:
To qualify, candidates must:
• Be between the ages of 25 and 45.
• Possess at least a first 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 UNCLOS 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.

Additional information on the UNNF Fellowship Programme, including Fellowship conditions and financial support, is available on the Fellowship website: https://www.un.org/oceancapacity/UNNF.
Since 2004, the United Nations-Nippon Foundation Fellowship Programme has successfully trained over 300 individuals. Fourteen Fellowships will be offered for the 2026 session.

Application process:
Candidates must complete the application package available on the UNNF Fellowship Programmes website, by using the “APPLY NOW” button (https://www.un.org/oceancapacity/content/apply-now). Candidates must:
• Fill the required application forms
• Transmit the application forms, along with a copy of their passport, to the following email address: doalos@un.org
• Complete the following online form: https://forms.office.com/e/wj5pijFijj
The deadline for submitting the complete application is 14 September 2025. Applicants should familiarize themselves with the eligibility requirements and use the application forms made available on the website to apply for the Programme. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Awards will be communicated individually to successful candidates only. A list of Awardees and Reserves will be posted on the Fellowship website by December 2025.
The Programmes are committed to achieving gender balance and geographical diversity among 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.