UNESCO and Japan Open Applications for 2026 Young Researchers’ Fellowships Worth Up to US$10,000

UNESCO Opens 2026 Fellowships for Young Researchers

UNESCO has officially opened applications for the 2026 UNESCO/Japan Young Researchers’ Fellowships, also known as the UNESCO/Keizo Obuchi Research Fellowships Programme. The initiative offers 10 competitive fellowships worth up to US$10,000 each to support postgraduate research at Japanese universities and research institutions. Applications for the 2026 cycle are currently being accepted, with 30 September 2026 set as the official submission deadline.

Long-Running Fellowship Supporting Global Research

Established in 2001 through the Japanese Funds-in-Trust for the Capacity-Building of Human Resources, the programme aims to strengthen research capacity, promote international academic cooperation, and encourage innovative solutions to global challenges. Over the past two decades, the programme has supported 291 young researchers from 101 countries, enabling them to conduct postgraduate research while building international networks and contributing to knowledge development in areas aligned with UNESCO’s mission. For the 2026 cycle, the fellowship places particular emphasis on interdisciplinary research that combines science, technology, ethics, governance, sustainability, and cultural preservation.

Fellowship Offers and Financial Support

Successful applicants will undertake research at Japanese universities or research institutions under the supervision of an academic mentor. The fellowship supports research stays lasting between three and nine months, beginning from February 2027 and ending no later than December 2027. Each selected fellow may receive funding of up to US$10,000 as a lump-sum grant. This grant may cover international airfare, domestic travel within Japan, accommodation expenses, medical insurance, daily living expenses, meals, local transportation, and approved research-related costs.

UNESCO will arrange mandatory medical insurance for all fellows, with the insurance cost deducted from the fellowship grant before payment. The fellowship explicitly does not cover tuition fees, the purchase of computers or research equipment, publication costs, or conference participation unless directly linked to the approved research project.

Priority Research Areas

Applicants must submit research proposals under one of UNESCO’s approved research themes, which for 2026 include:

• Heritage Conservation and Management.
• AI for Sustainable Management of Natural Resources and Climate Action.
• Ethical, Inclusive and Human-Centred Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Development.
• AI for Sustainable Cities, Infrastructure and Societal Resilience.
• Artificial Intelligence and Education.

Eligibility and Application Requirements

The fellowship is open only to applicants from invited UNESCO Member States and Associate Members. Eligible applicants must be nationals of one of the invited countries or territories, be 40 years old or younger at the time of application, and hold at least a Master’s degree or an equivalent qualification. Additionally, candidates must demonstrate strong academic achievement, possess sufficient proficiency in the language used by their chosen Japanese host institution, and obtain formal acceptance from an academic supervisor in Japan before applying.

The 2026 programme invites applications from 47 African countries, including Zimbabwe, South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Mozambique, Malawi, Senegal, Cameroon, Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Côte d’Ivoire. Applications are also open to eligible candidates from Small Island Developing States, Bahrain, Türkiye, Ukraine, and several countries and territories in the Asia-Pacific and the Caribbean.

UNESCO’s Broader Heritage Mission

The fellowship program operates alongside UNESCO’s broader mission to protect the legacy of humanity. Established in 1972, the UNESCO World Heritage Program identifies and preserves sites of exceptional historical and cultural significance. The success of these conservation efforts is influenced by various factors, including a country’s economic dynamics, political stability, and its ability to navigate the nomination process. As of 2023, Italy leads the world with 58 UNESCO sites, followed by China with 56, Germany with 51, and France with 49. These global sites, ranging from the Roman Empire’s artifacts to the Great Wall of China, underscore the importance of the interdisciplinary research and preservation efforts supported by UNESCO’s academic initiatives.

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