Deadline: March 22, 2026
Applications are open for the United Nations Nippon Foundation (UNNF) 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.
Benefits
- Fellows will receive a monthly stipend during their Fellowship, both during their time in New York and, for the United Nations – Nippon Foundation Fellowship on Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNNF-OALOS) Fellows, participating in the 9-month programme, during their time at the second phase host institution.
- Fellows will be provided with a round-trip economy class airline ticket for travel between their home country and New York to undertake the Fellowship.
- Selected Fellows must be medically cleared by the United Nations Medical Service and their award is contingent on such clearance.
- The Fellow is responsible for all costs related to obtaining the required visa(s). These costs can be covered from the first month’s higher stipend rate, which will be provided upon arrival in New York. The United Nations will not cover or reimburse any visa-related expenses.
- For the period of the Fellowship, medical coverage is provided by Cigna Health Insurance. Cigna offers 100% medical coverage for general medical and hospital treatments up to a certain limit. Specialized services are not covered. Fellows are responsible for paying medical fees when they visit a doctor and may seek reimbursement later by submitting a claim to Cigna.
- Fellows are responsible for securing their accommodations; in the case of the UNNF-OALOS Fellows completing the 9-month Fellowship, this is valid for both placement locations. In certain cases, some UNNF-OALOS Fellows may be able to make the appropriate arrangements through their host institutions. Nonetheless, all such arrangements are the sole responsibility of the Fellows. The United Nations, as well as the Host Institutions, will not act on behalf of the Fellows, serve as guarantors, or accept any liabilities or responsibilities in this regard.
Eligibility
- Be between the ages of 25 and 45;
- Have successfully completed a first-level university degree;
- 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;
- Have strong command of oral and written English (note: the activities of the Fellowship are delivered in English);
- 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;
- 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.
Application
For more information, visit UNNF Fellowship.
