Deadline: 15 September 2024
Applications are now open for the United Nations Scholarship - Nippon Foundation 2025 . The United Nations - Nippon Foundation Fellowship provides government officials and other mid-level professionals from developing states with advanced training in ocean affairs and the law of the sea, as well as related disciplines, including marine sciences in support of management frameworks.
Fellows will learn about international legal frameworks, key issues and best practices in ocean affairs, familiarise themselves with the work of the United Nations and develop professional skills. Fellows will also carry out individual research, under academic supervision, and develop a written thesis on a topic they select.
Upon completion of the fellowship, fellows are expected to return to their home countries and utilise their in-depth knowledge and broad experience to assist in the formulation of a comprehensive ocean policy and the implementation of the legal regime set out in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and related instruments, including through the design, implementation and/or evaluation of specific improvement projects.
Scholarship structure and results
The 9-month Fellowship Programme is made up of two consecutive phases that provide fellows with advanced and personalised research and training opportunities in their chosen fields:
- Phase One: 3-month Research and Training, which usually takes place between March/April and June at DOALOS, the United Nations headquarters in New York.
- Phase Two: Research and Advanced Academic Study of 6 months, which is normally carried out between July and December at one of the prestigious participating Host Institutions and under the guidance of subject specialist(s) who have in-depth and recognised knowledge in the chosen field of study.
The results of the Scholarship Programme are:
- A written thesis of 100 pages
- A presentation of the research
- An ocean governance matrix
Benefits
- Fellows will receive a stipend every month during their fellowship, both during their time in New York and, for United Nations - Nippon Foundation fellows taking part in the 9-month programme, during their time at the host institution of the second phase.
- In addition to the scholarship, United Nations - Nippon Foundation Scholars (the 9-month programme) will receive a book allowance of US$ 100 per month for the second phase of the scholarship (US$ 600 in total). This subsidy will be transferred to you as a one-off payment or monthly with each scholarship payment.
- Scholarship holders will receive a return economy class air ticket to travel from their home country to complete the scholarship.
- During the scholarship period, medical cover is provided by Cigna Health Insurance. Cigna offers 100% of medical cover for general medical and hospital treatment up to a certain limit.
Eligibility
- You must be between 25 and 40 years old;
- You must have successfully completed a first university degree and demonstrate the ability to carry out independent research and advanced academic study;
- You should be a mid-level professional in a national governmental body of a developing state, or in another governmental or non-governmental agency of that state, that deals directly with ocean issues, and your professional position should allow you to directly assist your nation in formulating and/or implementing policies in this area. This includes marine science and the science-policy nexus. Your "Nomination and Recommendation Form" should be completed by a government official or other official who can attest to the nature of your work with regard to the government's ocean affairs and law of the sea activities, and indicate how an Award would directly contribute to these activities;
- The proposed research and study programme must contribute directly to the formulation and/or implementation of ocean affairs and law of the sea policies and programmes in their country; and
- You must be free of all non-Fellowship obligations for the duration of the Fellowship, unless otherwise authorised by the Division.
Application
- To apply, download the form and fill in all the fields electronically. Please use upper and lower case to fill in the details (e.g. John Smith), do not use all capital letters to write your answers (e.g. JOHN SMITH). Apply your electronic or handwritten signature and use the "Save" option to save your changes. Please return the form as a word or pdf document.
- Each question must be answered clearly and completely to ensure that the application will be processed. When completing this form, applicants should pay particular attention to sections 18, 19 and 20. If necessary, applicants may attach a maximum of one additional page of the same size.
- The Application Form consists of two documents: the "Personal History and Research/Study Programme Proposal Form" and the "Nomination and Recommendation Form". Both forms must be signed, the first by the applicant and the second by the official nominating body. The forms can be returned in word or pdf format.
- Once the "Nomination and Recommendation Form" and the "Personal History and Research/Study Programme Proposal Form" have been completed and signed, send them by email directly to DOALOS at doalos@un.org . The deadline for applications is 15 September 2023.
