Application Deadline: 30 March 2025.
Applications are now open for the 2025 United Nations – Nippon Foundation Strategic Needs Fellowship. The Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea of the Office of Legal Affairs of the United Nations (“OLA/DOALOS”, “the Division”) is now accepting applications for the 2025 sessions of the Strategic Needs Fellowship.
The objective of this Fellowship is to assist developing States, particularly least developed countries (LDC), small island developing States (SIDS), and landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) in addressing strategically important and time-sensitive issues in ocean affairs and the law of the sea. This includes the implementation of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), its implementing agreements, including the BBNJ Agreement, and related instruments, as well as Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 and other related SDGs.
The Fellowship consists of a four-month training programme at OLA/DOALOS, United Nations Headquarters in New York. A highly customized curriculum is developed by the Division for successful candidates, tailored to the high‐priority needs identified in their applications and supported by their Nominating Authorities, with a view to building the capacity of Government officials to assist their States in effectively addressing those needs. The curriculum comprises inperson training sessions, scenario-based exercises, group discussions and workshops delivered by United Nations staff and visiting experts.
The deliverables of the Fellowship Programme include assignments, a research paper prepared by the Fellows, and the development of an ocean governance matrix. The Fellowship is scheduled to take place from early September to mid December 2025.
Eligibility criteria
- This Fellowship is open to Government officials who hold positions in their Administrations relevant to ocean affairs and the law of the sea, and who have limited background in this field.
Benefits
- The Fellowship is fully funded and includes a monthly stipend, medical insurance, and round-trip economy class airfare.
Application process
Candidates must complete the application package available for this Fellowship in the “Apply Now” section on the UN-Nippon Foundation Programmes website (https://www.un.org/oceancapacity/content/apply-now).
To apply, candidates must:
1. Complete the required application forms i. Personal History and Proposed Research/Study Programme Form ii. Nomination and Recommendation Form) iii. Online form
2. Submit the application forms, along with a copy of their passport, to the following email address: [email protected], with the email subject line “2025 Strategic Needs Fellowship Application Package”.
The deadline for submitting the complete application is 30 March 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 the selected candidates and subsequently posted in the News section of the Fellowship website by the end of May 2025. Eleven Fellowships will be offered for the 2025 session of the Strategic Needs Fellowship.
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the United Nations – Nippon Foundation Strategic Needs Fellowship
