Summary
Supported by the Government of Japan, this programme aims to strengthen research capacities and promote international knowledge exchange. Under the 2026 cycle, 10 fellowships will be awarded to highly qualified young researchers from Africa, Small Island Developing States, Ukraine, and Türkiye. The fellowships support innovative and high-quality postgraduate research through research stays at Japanese universities and institutions.
- 🌍 Africa: 47 Member States are eligible, covering countries across Sub-Saharan, Central, East, West, and Southern Africa, including Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Ethiopia, Ghana, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
- 🇴🇲 Arab States: Bahrain is the only eligible Member State in this region.
- 🌏 Asia & the Pacific: Includes 17 Member States and 2 Associate Members (New Caledonia and Tokelau), with countries such as Singapore, Maldives, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu.
- 🌎 Latin America & the Caribbean: Features 16 Member States and 7 Associate Members, including Bahamas, Barbados, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad & Tobago.
- 🇪🇺 Europe: The eligible European Member States are Türkiye and Ukraine.
- 📋 Overall Eligibility: The list covers 83 Member States and 9 Associate Members across five global regions.
Designation
Research Fellow
Programme at a Glance
| Key Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Fellowships available | 10 |
| Fellowship grant | Up to US$10,000 |
| Duration | No less than 3 months and no more than 9 months |
| Host country | Japan |
| Fellowship period in Japan | From February 2027 onwards, to be completed no later than December 2027. |
| Submission channel | Through National Commissions for UNESCO |
Export to Sheets
Research Areas
Proposals should fall under one of the following primary research areas:
- Heritage Conservation and Management
- AI for Sustainable Management of Natural Resources and Climate Action
- Ethical, Inclusive, and Human Centred AI for Sustainable Development
- AI for Sustainable Cities, Infrastructure, and Societal Resilience
- AI and Education
Location
Japanese universities and research institutions.
Eligibility/Qualification
Applicants must:
- Be nationals of one of the invited Member States or Associate Members.
- Be no more than 40 years old at the time of application.
- Hold at least a Master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field and demonstrate strong academic and research potential.
- Demonstrate sufficient proficiency in reading and writing in the language of instruction or supervision at the proposed host institution in Japan.
- Have obtained acceptance from an academic supervisor at a Japanese university or research institution.
Job Description (Fellowship Details)
Selected fellows will pursue postgraduate research and engage with Japan’s academic and research community. The fellowship grant (up to US$10,000) is intended to cover costs directly related to the approved research stay in Japan, including:
- International and domestic travel for the approved itinerary
- Accommodation and medical insurance
- Personal subsistence in Japan (meals, local transportation, incidental expenses)
- Other research-related expenses
How to Apply
- Read the Application Guide to understand the requirements and procedures.
- Contact the National Commission for UNESCO in your home country to inquire about the application procedures at the national level.
- Prepare all required documents: application form, academic documents, recommendation letter, host institution acceptance letter, language certificate, and research proposal.
- Submit your application to your National Commission at least 2 weeks before the deadline.
- Once informed by your National Commission that you are nominated, communicate the online application form and supporting documents to
keizoobuchi.fellowships@unesco.org. (Note: Only applications nominated by the National Commission will be accepted by UNESCO).
Last Date to Apply
30 September 2026 (Midnight Paris time)
