Applications are currently being accepted for The 2027 United Nations – Nippon Foundation Fellowship on Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea. Interested applicants are encouraged to click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
About UNNF OALOS Fellowship
The United Nations – Nippon Foundation Fellowship provides Government officials and other mid-level professionals from developing States with advanced training on ocean affairs and the law of the sea, as well as related disciplines, including marine science in support of management frameworks. Fellows will learn about international legal frameworks, key issues and best practices in ocean affairs, become familiar with the work of the United Nations, and develop professional skills. Fellows will also conduct individual research, under academic supervision, and develop a written thesis on a topic selected by them.
Upon completion of the Fellowship, Fellows are expected to return to their home countries and use their in-depth knowledge and extended experience to assist in formulating comprehensive ocean policy and in implementing the legal regime set out in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and related instruments, including through designing, implementing and/or evaluating specific improvement projects.
Benefits of UNNF OALOS Fellowship
- Specialized training in ocean affairs and the law of the sea.
- Supervised research leading to a thesis.
- Networking with UN officials, academics, and peers.
- Contribution to strengthening national ocean policies upon return.
UNNF OALOS Fellowship Requirements
To qualify, applicants must:
- Be between 25 and 45 years of age.
- Hold at least a first university degree or an equivalent qualification.
- Demonstrate the ability to undertake advanced academic research and study.
- Be a national of a developing State.
- Be a mid-level government official or mid-level professional working directly on ocean affairs and/or the law of the sea, including but not limited to:
- Implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and related instruments;
- Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly SDG 14;
- Maritime zones and maritime boundary delimitation;
- National and regional ocean policy;
- Coastal zone management;
- Conservation and sustainable management of marine living resources;
- Maritime transport and shipping;
- Maritime security;
- Protection and preservation of the marine environment; and
- Marine science and related fields.
- Have a strong command of spoken and written English. All Fellowship activities are conducted in English and require in-person participation. Training materials in French and Spanish are available upon request, subject to availability. The research project may be undertaken in English or French, provided that the Host Institution is able to offer supervision in the chosen language.
Application Date and Process
Application Deadline
13 September, 2026
Opportunity Application
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UNNF OALOS Fellowship
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