Application Deadline: 30 September 2026
LOCATION: Japan
Established in 2001 under the Japanese Funds-in-Trust for the Capacity-Building of Human Resources, the UNESCO/Japan Young Researchers’ Fellowships Programme, also known as the UNESCO/Keizo Obuchi Research Fellowships Programme, is a long-standing initiative supported by the Government of Japan to strengthen research capacities and promote international knowledge exchange in areas aligned with UNESCO’s mandate.
ELIGIBILITY:
Under the 2026 cycle, UNESCO and the Government of Japan will award 10 fellowships to highly qualified young researchers from Africa, Small Island Developing States, Ukraine, and Türkiye.
Applicants must:
Be nationals of one of the invited Member States or Associate Members listed in Annex 1;
Be no more than 40 years old at the time of application;
Hold at least a master’s degree or equivalent in a field relevant to the proposed research 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, who will oversee the proposed research.
BENEFIT:
Selected fellows may receive a fellowship grant of up to US$10,000. The grant will be provided as a lump-sum contribution and is intended to cover costs directly related to the approved research stay in Japan.
The grant may cover:
International and domestic travel for the approved itinerary;
Accommodation;
Medical insurance;
Personal subsistence in Japan, including meals, local transportation and incidental expenses;
Other research-related expenses, where applicable.
