Applications are now open for the 2027 United Nations–Nippon Foundation Fellowship on Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNNF OALOS Fellowship), offering professionals from developing countries a chance to strengthen their expertise in ocean affairs, maritime governance, and the law of the sea.
The fellowship is a nine-month programme combining specialised training at the United Nations Headquarters in New York with a six-month research placement at a participating academic host institution.
Applications for the 2027 fellowship close on 13 September 2026.
The programme is particularly relevant to mid-level government officials and professionals working in areas such as maritime security, ocean policy, marine environmental protection, coastal management, maritime boundaries and sustainable management of marine resources.
About the United Nations Ocean Affairs Fellowship 2027
The United Nations–Nippon Foundation Fellowship on Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea is designed to strengthen professional expertise in ocean-related issues and the international legal framework governing the world’s oceans.
For the 2027 programme, selected fellows will undertake nine months of training and research divided into two phases.
The programme brings together practical United Nations training and advanced academic research, allowing participants to develop expertise directly connected to their professional responsibilities.
The 2027 Call for Applications is officially open, with fellowship results expected to be announced by mid-December 2026.
United Nations Fellowship Programme Structure
The fellowship consists of two phases running from March through December 2027.
Phase One: United Nations Headquarters in New York
The first phase consists of a three-month training programme with the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs’ Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea.
This phase will take place at United Nations Headquarters in New York from:
24 March – 30 June 2027
Participants will strengthen their understanding of ocean affairs and law of the sea issues while gaining exposure to the work undertaken within the United Nations system.
Phase Two: Academic Research Placement
Following the New York training period, fellows move into a six-month academic research placement.
This phase runs from:
1 July – 17 December 2027
Each fellow will be placed at an academic institution participating in the UN–Nippon Foundation Programmes.
Host institutions are selected based on their expertise in the fellow’s proposed research area, allowing participants to undertake specialised academic work connected to their professional interests.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must satisfy several eligibility requirements.
Candidates must be between 25 and 45 years old and must hold at least a first university degree or equivalent qualification.
They must also demonstrate the ability to undertake advanced academic research and study.
Importantly, applicants must be nationals of developing States.
The fellowship is aimed primarily at professionals who already have relevant experience rather than individuals seeking an entry-level opportunity.
Applicants should be either:
- Mid-level government officials; or
- Mid-level professionals working directly in ocean affairs and/or the law of the sea.
Candidates must also have a strong command of written and spoken English.
Eligible Professional Areas
The United Nations identifies a broad range of ocean-related areas relevant to the fellowship.
Professionals may be working in fields including:
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea: Professionals involved with implementation of UNCLOS and related international instruments.
Sustainable Development: Work connected to implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly Sustainable Development Goal 14 – Life Below Water.
Maritime Boundaries: Professionals working on maritime zones and maritime boundary delimitation.
Ocean Policy: Individuals involved in developing or implementing national and regional ocean policies.
Coastal Management: Professionals responsible for coastal zone management and related policy areas.
Marine Resources: Work involving conservation and sustainable management of marine living resources.
Maritime Transport: Professionals working in maritime transport and shipping.
Maritime Security: Government officials and professionals working on maritime security matters.
Marine Environment: Professionals involved in protecting and preserving marine environments.
Marine Science: Researchers and professionals working in marine science and related disciplines.
The list is not necessarily exhaustive, meaning professionals working in closely related ocean affairs and law of the sea fields may also be relevant to the programme.
Language Requirements
Applicants must have a strong command of spoken and written English.
All fellowship activities are conducted in English and require in-person participation.
Training materials in French and Spanish may be available upon request and subject to availability.
The research component may be undertaken in either English or French, provided that the selected host institution is capable of supervising the research in the chosen language.
Documents Required for the Application
Applicants should prepare several documents before beginning the online application.
1. Personal History and Proposed Research/Study Programme Form
Candidates must download and complete the official 2027 UNNF OALOS Application Form – Personal History and Proposed Research/Study Programme.
All fields should be completed electronically.
Applicants must then provide either an electronic or handwritten signature before saving the completed document.
The United Nations advises applicants to answer every question clearly and completely.
Particular attention should be given to Sections 16, 17 and 18 of the application form.
2. Nomination Form
Applicants must also complete the 2027 UNNF OALOS Fellowship Nomination Form.
This document must be signed and stamped by the nominating authority.
Candidates should therefore allow sufficient time to obtain the required institutional nomination rather than waiting until the application deadline.
3. Valid National Passport
Applicants must have a copy of their valid national passport ready for upload.
The completed application documents may be uploaded in Word or PDF format where applicable.
How to Apply for the UN Ocean Affairs Fellowship 2027
Applications are submitted through the IndicoUN platform.
Before beginning the online submission, applicants should have their required documents prepared.
Candidates need to:
- Complete and sign the Personal History and Proposed Research/Study Programme Application Form.
- Complete the official Fellowship Nomination Form and obtain the required signature and stamp from the nominating authority.
- Prepare a copy of a valid national passport.
- Access the Indico.UN application platform.
- Select the Registration tab or scroll to the bottom of the page and choose Register Now.
- Complete the online application.
- Upload all required documents.
- Review the application carefully before submission.
Applicants unfamiliar with IndicoUN can consult the platform’s participant guide for instructions on creating an account, completing registration, uploading documents, and submitting an application.
Application Deadline
The application deadline for the 2027 United Nations–Nippon Foundation Fellowship on Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea is:
13 September 2026
Interested candidates should begin preparing their documents as soon as possible, particularly because the nomination form requires approval, a signature, and a stamp from the appropriate nominating authority.
When Will Successful Applicants Be Announced?
According to the United Nations, award results for the 2027 fellowship are expected to be posted on the programme’s website under its News section by mid-December 2026.
Applicants should therefore monitor official programme communications and the United Nations website after submitting their applications.
Key Dates for the 2027 Fellowship
Application Deadline: 13 September 2026
Expected Award Results: Mid-December 2026
Phase One – UN Headquarters, New York: 24 March – 30 June 2027
Phase Two – Academic Host Institution: 1 July – 17 December 2027
Total Programme Duration: Nine months
Key Eligibility Requirements at a Glance
Age: 25–45 years
Nationality: National of a developing State
Education: At least a first university degree or equivalent
Professional Level: Mid-level government official or professional
Professional Area: Ocean affairs, law of the sea, or related fields
Language: Strong spoken and written English
Participation: Fellowship activities require in-person participation
Academic Ability: Applicants must demonstrate the ability to undertake advanced academic research and study.
Why This Fellowship Stands Out
The UNNF OALOS Fellowship combines international policy exposure with academic research.
Instead of focusing exclusively on classroom learning, the programme places fellows within the United Nations environment in New York before transitioning them into an academic research setting.
This structure can be particularly valuable for professionals whose work directly affects national or regional ocean governance.
Participants can strengthen their expertise in areas such as maritime policy, marine conservation, shipping, maritime security, sustainable development, and implementation of international law.
The research phase also enables fellows to examine a specialised topic connected to their professional responsibilities under the supervision of experts at an appropriate academic host institution.
Important Information Before Applying
Applicants should carefully review the official eligibility requirements before preparing their submission.
This fellowship is specifically aimed at mid-level professionals and government officials from developing States who work directly on ocean affairs or the law of the sea.
It is therefore different from a general graduate scholarship or entry-level internship.
Candidates should also remember that the programme requires in-person participation and that English is the principal working language.
Obtaining the required nomination should be treated as an important part of the application process because the nomination form must be properly signed and stamped.
Final Thoughts
The United Nations–Nippon Foundation Fellowship on Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea 2027 provides an important professional development opportunity for individuals contributing to ocean governance and maritime affairs in developing countries.
Through three months of specialised training at United Nations Headquarters in New York followed by six months of academic research, selected fellows can deepen their knowledge while developing research directly relevant to ocean affairs and international maritime law.
Eligible applicants must be 25 to 45 years old, nationals of developing States, and mid-level professionals or government officials working directly in relevant fields.
Applications close on 13 September 2026, with results expected by mid-December.
Professionals working in ocean policy, maritime security, marine conservation, coastal management, maritime transport, marine science, and implementation of the law of the sea should consider reviewing the programme requirements and preparing their application before the deadline.
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