The United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (OLA/DOALOS), under the Office of Legal Affairs, has officially opened applications for the 2026 United Nations–Nippon Foundation (UNNF) Fellowship Programmes. These prestigious, fully funded fellowships aim to strengthen the capacity of government officials from developing countries to address critical and emerging challenges in ocean affairs and the law of the sea.
For the 2026 intake, applications are invited for two fellowship tracks:
- 2026 UNNF Strategic Needs Fellowship
- 2026 UNNF Ocean Governance Fellowship for Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
Both programmes will take place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York and are designed to equip participants with practical knowledge, policy tools, and hands-on experience to support national ocean governance efforts.
About the UNNF Strategic Needs Fellowship
Fellowship Objectives
The UNNF Strategic Needs Fellowship is designed to support developing States—particularly Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs)—in responding to strategically important and time-sensitive issues related to ocean affairs.
The Fellowship places strong emphasis on:
- Implementation of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
- Application of UNCLOS implementing agreements, including the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement
- Advancing Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: Life Below Water, as well as other related SDGs
Programme Structure and Training
The Strategic Needs Fellowship runs for approximately four months, from early September to mid-December 2026. Fellows will participate in a highly customized training programme developed by OLA/DOALOS based on each fellow’s national priorities and professional responsibilities.
The curriculum includes:
- In-person expert-led training sessions
- Scenario-based exercises
- Group discussions and policy workshops
- Engagement with UN officials and visiting experts
Expected Deliverables
Participants will complete several key outputs, including:
- Written assignments
- A research paper addressing a national or regional ocean governance issue
- Development of an ocean governance matrix tailored to their country’s needs
Eligibility
This Fellowship is open to government officials whose roles are relevant to ocean affairs and the law of the sea and who have limited prior background in this field.
Funding and Benefits
The programme is fully funded, covering:
- Monthly stipend
- Medical insurance
- Round-trip economy class airfare
A total of 11 fellowships will be awarded under this category for the 2026 session.
About the UNNF Ocean Governance Fellowship for SIDS
Fellowship Objectives
Specifically designed for Small Island Developing States, this Fellowship responds to the unique vulnerabilities and opportunities faced by SIDS in ocean governance.
The programme aims to build national capacity to:
- Effectively implement UNCLOS, the BBNJ Agreement, and related instruments
- Address the triple planetary crisis: climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution
- Advance the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 14
- Promote sustainable blue economies, ocean resilience, and gender-inclusive governance
Programme Structure and Training
The SIDS Fellowship runs for approximately three months, from early September to early December 2026, and is hosted at UN Headquarters in New York.
The curriculum is customized to each fellow’s needs and includes:
- Practical training sessions
- Workshops and simulations
- Group discussions led by UN experts
SIDS Fellows will also join selected activities alongside Strategic Needs Fellows, creating opportunities for cross-learning and professional networking.
Deliverables
Similar to the Strategic Needs Fellowship, participants will complete:
- Assignments
- A research paper
- An ocean governance matrix
Eligibility
The Fellowship is open to government officials from SIDS working in roles related to ocean affairs and the law of the sea, with limited previous exposure to the field.
Funding and Benefits
This Fellowship is also fully funded, including:
- Monthly stipend
- Medical insurance
- Round-trip economy class airfare
For 2026, 10 fellowships will be awarded under the SIDS category.
Application Process (Important)
Interested candidates must complete the application package available in the “Apply Now” section of the UN-Nippon Foundation Programmes website.
Required Documents:
Applicants must submit:
- Personal History and Proposed Research/Study Programme Application Form
- Nomination Form (completed by a Nominating Authority)
- Online application form
- A copy of a valid passport
Submission Details:
All application materials must be sent by email to:
doalos@un.org
Email subject line:
“2026 UNNF Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Strategic Needs Fellowships”
Apply to both or any of the programmes HERE
Applicants may apply for one or both Fellowships using a single application, but will be selected for only one.
Application Deadline and Selection Timeline
Application deadline: 22 March 2026
Late or incomplete applications will not be considered
Selected candidates will be notified by the end of May 2026, with results also published on the Fellowship website
Commitment to Inclusion and Diversity
The UNNF Programmes are strongly committed to gender balance and geographical diversity. Female candidates are especially encouraged to apply, and reasonable accommodation may be provided for applicants with disabilities. While the programme is conducted in English, learning materials may be made available in French and Spanish where possible.
Learn More
For detailed information, applicants are encouraged to consult the official Fellowship brochures and visit the UN-Nippon Foundation Capacity-Building Programmes website.
This is a rare opportunity for government professionals to gain world-class training, expand global networks, and contribute meaningfully to sustainable ocean governance at national and international levels.
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