UNESCO/Japan Young Researchers’ Fellowships Programme
Introduction
The UNESCO/Japan Young Researchers’ 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.
About the Programme
The Programme has enabled 291 young researchers from 101 countries around the world to pursue postgraduate research, contributing to academic cooperation, capacity-building and the development of knowledge in fields of shared global importance.
Eligibility requirements
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.
Fellowship grant and eligible costs
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.
How to apply
- Read carefully the Application Guide to understand the requirements for eligible candidatures and the procedures for the submission of application.
- Contact the National Commission for UNESCO of your home country to enquire about the application procedures at the national level.
- Prepare all required documents, including the application form (Annex 3), academic documents, recommendation letter, host institution acceptance letter, language certificate and research proposal (Annex 4).
- Submit your application to the National Commission for UNESCO of your home country, at least 2 weeks before the required deadline.
- As soon as you are informed by the National Commission for UNESCO of your country that you are nominated as a candidate for this programme, you should communicate your online application form and the supporting documents to keizoobuchi.fellowships@unesco.org.
Deadline
The deadline for application is 30 September 2026, midnight Paris time.
Attachment
- Application Guide
- Annex 1 – List of invited Member States and Associate Members
- Annex 2 – Research areas and indicative sub-areas
- Annex 3 – Application Form
- Annex 4 – Research Proposal Template