Introduction
United Nations-Nippon Foundation Strategic Needs Fellowship 2025: The United Nations-Nippon Foundation Fellowships 2025 are now accepting applications. These fellowships are for government officials from developing countries and SIDS. There are two fellowships: the Strategic Needs Fellowship and the Ocean Governance Fellowship for Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
The programs teach policymakers about ocean governance and the law of the sea. This knowledge and skills will help them contribute directly to their nation’s ocean affairs policies and programs.
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Program Overview
The Strategic Needs Fellowship is a program that teaches people about important ocean issues. It is part of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The fellowship teaches about different topics, such as maritime security, ocean governance, protecting the environment, and managing fisheries in a way that doesn’t harm the environment.
Fellowship Benefits
Some fellows will receive:
- Training on how to make and put into action policies related to ocean affairs
- A program that is fully funded, covering travel, where to stay, and daily living expenses
- Opportunities to collaborate with experts and institutions that govern the ocean
- Research projects that focus on policies

Fellowships Eligibility Criteria
To apply, you must meet the following conditions:
- You must be between 25 and 45 years old.
- You must have a first-level university degree.
- You must be a government official from a developing country or Small Island Developing State (SIDS) working on sustainable ocean development.
- You must propose a study program that directly supports the formulation or implementation of ocean governance and law of the sea policies in your home country.
- You must be free of all non-Fellowship obligations during the training period unless otherwise authorized.
Fellowship Duration and Structure
The fellowship is structured into two main phases:
Phase | Duration | Details |
---|---|---|
Phase 1 | 3 months | Training at the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS), New York. |
Phase 2 | 6 months | Research placement at a host institution specializing in ocean affairs. |
Application Process
If you are interested in applying for a UNNF fellowship, you will need to submit the following documents:
- A completed 2025 UNNF Fellowship Application Form (Word/PDF) for the program you are interested in.
- A completed 2025 UNNF Fellowship Nomination and Recommendation Form (Word/PDF) for the program you are interested in.
All forms must be filled out online and signed before you can send them. Please email your completed application to DOALOS at doalos@un.org by the deadline. We will email you to let you know that we have received your application.
Deadline
The last day to apply for UNESCO fellowships is March 30, 2025. The names of the people who will receive the awards will be published on the official website under the “News” section by the end of May 2025.
Conclusion
The United Nations-Nippon Foundation Strategic Needs Fellowship 2025 is a great opportunity for professionals working on ocean governance to learn more and help create ocean policies that last. By taking part in this program, fellows will learn about the best ocean practices around the world and meet other people in the international ocean affairs community.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who can apply for the fellowship?
The fellowship is open to professionals from developing countries who work in ocean governance, maritime law, or related fields.
Is the fellowship fully funded?
The fellowship pays for your travel, where you’ll stay, and your daily living expenses. It also covers the costs of your research.
How competitive is the application process?
The fellowship is very competitive, and only a few of the best candidates are chosen each year.