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UNESCO/Japan Young Researchers’ Fellowships Programme 2026

UNESCO and the Government of Japan

UNESCO and the Government of Japan are offering 10 research fellowships of up to US$10,000 to young researchers from eligible countries, including Uganda and 46 other African countries. Fellows will undertake postgraduate research for three to nine months at a Japanese university or research institution in areas related to heritage conservation, sustainable development and artificial intelligence.

Who can apply

  • Nationals of countries and territories invited under the 2026 fellowship cycle
  • Researchers aged 40 years or younger at the time of application
  • Applicants holding at least a Master’s degree or equivalent
  • Researchers with strong academic and research potential
  • Applicants undertaking research relevant to one of the approved programme areas
  • Applicants who have secured acceptance from an academic supervisor at a Japanese university or research institution
  • Applicants with sufficient proficiency in the language of instruction or supervision at the Japanese host institution

Focus 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
  • Sustainable cultural tourism
  • Digital documentary heritage
  • Climate resilience and natural-resource management
  • AI governance, ethics and human rights
  • AI-supported education and knowledge systems

Requirements

  • Be no more than 40 years old at the time of application
  • Hold at least a Master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field
  • Develop a research proposal within one of the approved research areas
  • Secure acceptance from an academic supervisor at a Japanese university or research institution
  • Demonstrate sufficient language proficiency for the proposed research
  • Complete the official UNESCO fellowship application form
  • Prepare the research proposal using the official template
  • Provide the required academic documents
  • Provide a recommendation letter
  • Provide the Japanese host institution or supervisor acceptance letter
  • Provide the required language certificate
  • Submit first through the applicant’s National Commission for UNESCO
  • Obtain official nomination from the National Commission before the application can be considered by UNESCO

Application steps

  • Read the official UNESCO application guide and research-area requirements
  • Contact your country’s National Commission for UNESCO immediately to confirm its national procedure and internal deadline
  • Identify a suitable Japanese university or research institution and secure acceptance from an academic supervisor
  • Prepare the application form, research proposal, academic documents, recommendation letter, language evidence and host acceptance letter
  • Submit the complete application to your National Commission for UNESCO according to its national deadline
  • Complete the UNESCO submission process if your National Commission selects and nominates you
Global Grants Hub strategic note

This fellowship is strongest for researchers who already have a well-developed postgraduate research idea and can secure a Japanese academic supervisor. Do not wait until 30 September to begin. Applicants cannot apply directly to UNESCO without first going through their National Commission for UNESCO, and national deadlines may be earlier. A strong proposal should clearly fit one of UNESCO’s approved research areas, demonstrate academic quality and show why a research stay in Japan is necessary. The US$10,000 is a maximum contribution and should not be treated as additional unrestricted funding.

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