Deadline: 14-Sep-2025
The Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea of the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs are accepting applications for the Nippon Foundation Fellowship (UNNF) Program.
Objectives
- The objective of the United Nations-The Nippon Foundation 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 working directly in ocean affairs and/or the law of the sea with funded advanced training opportunities in ocean affairs and the law of the sea, or related disciplines, including marine science in support of governance frameworks.
- The objective is for participants to acquire the skills needed to assist their States in implementing the legal framework set out in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and related instruments, as well as in formulating comprehensive ocean governance regimes, including in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Structure
- The 9-month program is divided into two phases:
- Phase One: A three-month training phase at OLA/DOALOS at UN Headquarters in New York (approximately mid-March to June 2026).
- Phase Two: A six-month research phase at a host institution with proven expertise in the fellow’s research field (from July to December 2026).
Eligibility Criteria
- To apply, candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Be between 25 and 45 years old.
- Hold at least a first-level university degree or equivalent.
- Be able to undertake advanced research and academic studies. Be from a developing State. Be a mid-level government official or mid- level professional working directly in ocean affairs and/or the law of the sea, such as, inter alia, the implementation of UNCLOS and related instruments, and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in particular SDG-14, including with regard to the establishment of maritime zones and the delimitation of maritime boundaries, the sustainable development of oceans and seas, policy national and/or regional oceanic policy, coastal zone management, conservation and management of living marine resources, maritime transport and navigation, maritime safety and security, as well as protection and preservation of the marine environment and science marines.
- Be able to communicate in English. Presentations and lectures will be given in English; therefore, although a good command of English is not required, knowledge of English is necessary to fully participate in and benefit from the program. However, materials in French or Spanish can be made available upon request.
Application Requirements
- To apply, download the form and fill in all the fields electronically in addition to the online form. Kindly return the form as a Word or PDF document.
- Each question must be answered clearly and completely in order to ensure that the application will be processed. While completing the form, candidates should pay particular attention to sections 18, 19 and 20. If necessary, candidates may attach no more than one additional page of the same size.
- The Application package consists of three documents and an online form:
- The “Personal History and Proposed Research Application Form”;
- The “Nomination and Recommendation Form”. Both forms must be signed, the first one by the applicant, the second one by the by the official nominating entity. The forms may be returned to us in either Word or PDF format;
- A copy of the applicant’s national passport biodata page;
- The online form.
- Once both the “Nomination and Recommendation Form” and the “Personal History and Proposed Research Topic Application Form” are completed and signed, please email them along with a copy of the passport biodata page, within the established deadlines.
For more information, visit United Nations.