UNESCO has officially opened applications for the 2026 UNESCO/Japan Young Researchers’ Fellowships Programme, also known as the UNESCO/Keizo Obuchi Research Fellowships Programme. According to the supplied information, the programme supports outstanding young researchers by providing funding to undertake postgraduate research at universities and research institutions in Japan.

Established in 2001 with support from the Government of Japan, the programme promotes international academic cooperation, research capacity-building, and knowledge exchange in areas aligned with UNESCO’s mandate.

About the Fellowship

According to the supplied information, the UNESCO/Japan Young Researchers’ Fellowships Programme has supported 291 young researchers from 101 countries since its establishment.

For 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.

Research will be undertaken at Japanese universities and research institutions beginning from February 2027.

Fellowship Summary

Organization	UNESCO & Government of Japan
Fellowship	UNESCO/Japan Young Researchers’ Fellowships Programme (UNESCO/Keizo Obuchi Research Fellowships Programme)
Fellowship Type	Postgraduate Research Fellowship
Host Country	Japan
Number of Fellowships	10
Fellowship Grant	Up to US$10,000
Duration	3–9 Months
Fellowship Period	From February 2027 to no later than December 2027
Application Deadline	30 September 2026 (Midnight Paris Time)
Application Channel	National Commissions for UNESCO

Research Areas

According to the supplied information, research proposals must fall within one of the following 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

Applicants must choose one primary research area and one corresponding sub-area for their proposal.

Eligible Countries

According to the supplied information, applications are invited from selected Member States and Associate Members, including:

Africa

Applicants from all 47 invited African Member States, including:

Zimbabwe
South Africa
Kenya
Nigeria
Ghana
Uganda
Zambia
Tanzania
Ethiopia
Rwanda
Botswana
Namibia
Senegal
Cameroon
Mozambique

and other invited African Member States.

Arab States

Bahrain

Asia and the Pacific

Selected Member States and Associate Members including:

Singapore
Fiji
Maldives
Samoa
Tonga
Papua New Guinea
Vanuatu
Solomon Islands
Timor-Leste

and other invited countries.

Latin America and the Caribbean

Selected Member States and Associate Members including:

Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Cuba
Jamaica
Guyana
Trinidad and Tobago
Suriname

and other invited countries.

Europe

Türkiye
Ukraine

Eligibility Requirements

According to the supplied information, applicants must:

Be nationals of one of the invited Member States or Associate Members.
Be 40 years old or younger at the time of application.
Hold at least a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field.
Demonstrate strong academic and research potential.
Have sufficient proficiency in the language of instruction or supervision at the proposed Japanese host institution.
Obtain acceptance from an academic supervisor at a Japanese university or research institution.

Fellowship Benefits

According to the supplied information, selected fellows may receive a fellowship grant of up to US$10,000.

The grant may cover:

International travel.
Domestic travel.
Accommodation.
Medical insurance.
Personal living expenses.
Local transportation.
Meals.
Incidental expenses.
Eligible research-related costs.

According to the supplied information, the fellowship does not cover:

Tuition fees.
Purchase of equipment (including computers).
Publication costs.
Conference participation unless it is an essential component of the approved research.

Medical insurance is mandatory and will be arranged by UNESCO, with the insurance cost deducted from the fellowship grant before payment.

How to Apply

According to the supplied information, applicants should follow these steps:

Step 1

Read the official Application Guide carefully.

Step 2

Contact the National Commission for UNESCO in your home country to learn about national application procedures.

Step 3

Prepare all required documents, including:

Application Form.
Academic documents.
Recommendation letter.
Acceptance letter from a Japanese host institution.
Language certificate.
Research proposal.

Step 4

Submit your application to your National Commission for UNESCO at least two weeks before the official deadline.

Step 5

If nominated by your National Commission, submit the online application and supporting documents to UNESCO.

Step 6

National Commissions must submit nomination letters and complete application packages to UNESCO no later than 30 September 2026 (Midnight Paris Time).

Selection Process

According to the supplied information:

Applications will be evaluated by a Selection Committee composed of experts from UNESCO and the Government of Japan.

Assessment will consider:

Academic merit.
Quality of the proposed research.
Originality.
Relevance.
Research potential.

The final selection decision will be made by the Japanese authorities while taking gender equality and diversity into consideration.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many fellowships are available?

According to the supplied information, 10 fellowships will be awarded under the 2026 cycle.

How much funding is available?

Selected fellows may receive up to US$10,000.

Where will the fellowship take place?

The research will be conducted at universities and research institutions in Japan.

What is the age limit?

Applicants must be 40 years old or younger at the time of application.

What is the application deadline?

Applications must be submitted through the National Commission for UNESCO, with nominations reaching UNESCO by 30 September 2026 (Midnight Paris Time).

Conclusion

The UNESCO/Japan Young Researchers’ Fellowships Programme 2026 offers an outstanding opportunity for young researchers to undertake postgraduate research in Japan while contributing to global knowledge in heritage conservation, sustainable development, artificial intelligence, and education. According to the supplied information, the programme provides up to US$10,000 in funding, supports research stays of up to nine months, and promotes international collaboration between UNESCO, the Government of Japan, and emerging researchers from eligible countries.

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UNESCO/Japan Young Researchers’ Fellowships 2026 Applications Open for Research in Japan