About this opportunity
A research stay in Japan is rarely just about the data. It is about the lab you join, the supervisor who reads your draft at midnight, and the network that outlasts the fellowship. The UNESCO/Japan Young Researchers' Fellowships Programme, run by UNESCO with the Government of Japan, offers ten of those stays in the 2026 cycle to early career researchers from Africa, Small Island Developing States, Ukraine and Türkiye.
Each fellowship carries a grant of up to US$10,000 for a research period of three to nine months at a Japanese university or research institution. The proposed work has to sit inside one of the programme's priority themes: heritage conservation and management, AI for the sustainable management of natural resources and climate action, ethical and human centred AI for sustainable development, AI for sustainable cities and infrastructure, and AI in education.
The requirement that filters most applications is the one people expect least. You need acceptance from an academic supervisor at a Japanese institution before you apply, and confirmation that the institution will host and oversee the work. Applications without that host agreement are generally not considered eligible.
One detail matters more than the rest. UNESCO does not take applications from candidates directly. You file yours with the National Commission for UNESCO in your own country, which nominates you and forwards the paperwork. Nigeria is among the 47 African Member States invited in this cycle, so the practical first step is finding your National Commission and asking how it runs the process at home.
What you receive
- Ten fellowships awarded in the 2026 cycle
- A grant of up to US$10,000 paid as a lump sum contribution
- A research stay of no less than three months and no more than nine months in Japan
- The grant may cover international and domestic travel on the approved itinerary, accommodation, medical insurance, personal subsistence such as meals and local transport, and other research related costs
- Placement at a Japanese university or research institution alongside an academic supervisor of your own
- Exposure to Japan's academic and research community and a lasting international network
Who can apply
- Be a national of one of the invited UNESCO Member States or Associate Members listed in Annex 1 of the call
- Be 40 years of age or younger at the time of application
- Hold at least a Master's degree or an equivalent qualification in a field relevant to the proposed research, with strong academic and research potential
- Propose research that fits one of the programme's priority themes
- 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
- Africa is served through 47 invited Member States, including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Egypt, South Africa, Uganda, Tanzania, Senegal and Zambia
Who should not apply
- The grant does not cover tuition fees
- The grant does not cover the purchase of equipment, including computers
- Publication costs are excluded
- Participation in conferences is excluded unless it is clearly justified as an integral part of the research and makes a direct and significant contribution to the project
- Applications that reach UNESCO directly from the candidate rather than through a National Commission are not accepted
- Applications without a confirmed Japanese host and supervisor are generally not eligible
Documents to prepare
- The application form at Annex 3 of the call
- The research proposal prepared on the Annex 4 template
- Academic documents and transcripts
- A recommendation letter
- The acceptance letter from the host institution or supervisor in Japan
- A language certificate, using the UNESCO Certificate of Language Knowledge at Annex 5
- The letter of nomination issued by your National Commission for UNESCO
How to apply
- Read the Application Guide for the 2026 cycle carefully so you understand what makes a candidature eligible and how submission works at the national level
- Contact the National Commission for UNESCO in your own country and ask how it handles this call. The directory of National Commissions is at https://pax.unesco.org/countries/NationalCommissions.html
- Secure acceptance from an academic supervisor at a Japanese university or research institution, with confirmation that the institution will host the proposed research
- Prepare the application form, the research proposal on the Annex 4 template, your academic documents, a recommendation letter, the host acceptance letter and the language certificate
- Submit your application to your National Commission for UNESCO at least two weeks before the closing date, since national procedures take time
- Once your National Commission nominates you, send the online application form and supporting documents to keizoobuchi.fellowships@unesco.org
- Your National Commission sends the letter of nomination and all application documents to UNESCO no later than 15 October 2026 at midnight Paris time
Selection process
- Applications are evaluated by a Selection Committee made up of experts from UNESCO and the Government of Japan in the relevant fields
- The evaluation weighs the merits of the candidate and the quality, relevance and originality of the proposed research
- The final selection decision is taken by the Japanese authorities on the recommendation of the Committee, with due consideration to gender equality and diversity
Sources and verification
- Official source , Discovered by the opportunity automation module.
Questions applicants ask
Who can apply?
Nationals of an invited UNESCO Member State or Associate Member who are 40 or younger at the time of application, hold at least a Master's degree or equivalent, and have secured a supervisor at a Japanese university or research institution.
How much does the fellowship pay?
Selected fellows may receive a grant of up to US$10,000 as a lump sum, for a research stay of three to nine months.
When does the 2026 cycle close?
Nominations and all application documents must reach UNESCO by 15 October 2026 at midnight Paris time. That date was extended from the earlier closing date, so check the UNESCO page before you plan your timeline.
Can I apply to UNESCO directly?
No. Only applications nominated by a National Commission for UNESCO are accepted. Your National Commission is also the body that forwards the letter of nomination and your documents.
Is medical insurance covered?
Medical insurance is mandatory for all selected fellows and is arranged by UNESCO on their behalf. The cost is deducted from the total fellowship amount before disbursement.
What research topics does the programme fund?
Heritage conservation and management, AI for the sustainable management of natural resources and climate action, ethical and human centred AI for sustainable development, AI for sustainable cities, infrastructure and societal resilience, and AI in education.
Important disclaimer
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