UN-Nippon Fellowship Programme in Ocean Affairs for Coastal Developing Countries

Brief description:

The UN-Nippon Fellowship Programme is funded by The Nippon Foundation of Japan and implemented by the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DAOLOS), with the assistance of the Training and Fellowships Section of the United Nations Division for Economic and Social Affairs.

The main objective of the fellowship is to provide opportunities for advanced education and training in the field of ocean affairs and the law of the sea, and related disciplines including marine science, to Government officials and other mid-level professionals from developing coastal States, so that they may obtain the necessary knowledge to assist their countries to formulate comprehensive ocean policy and to implement the legal regime set out in UNCLOS and related instruments.

Host Institution(s):

Selected Fellows are to carry out specialized research and studies for a 6 month period at one of over 35 host universities or research institutions  in about 16 countries including Australia, France, Barbados, Brazil, USA, Spain, Canada, Ireland, Turkey, Belgium, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Spain, UK, Chile, The Netherlands, and Greece. See the list of host institutions here.

After which, selected Fellows are to carry out their training for a period of 3 months at the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, Office of Legal Affairs, United Nations Secretariat (New York, U.S.A.) or at one of the following institutions:

• • • Fisheries Department, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (Rome, Italy)
  • • International Labour Organization (Geneva, Switzerland)
  • • International Maritime Organization (London, U.K.)
  • • International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (Hamburg, Germany)
  • • United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP office to be confirmed according to Fellow’s research topic)

Field of studies:

Ocean affairs and the law of the sea, and related disciplines including marine science.

Number of Awards:

Each year, the UN-Nippon Selection Committee will review applications and award Fellowships to 10 successful candidates.

Target group:

Government officials and other mid-level professionals from developing coastal countries.  Previous fellows were from South America (Columbia, Peru, Chile, Brazil, etc.) ; Africa (Ghana, Cameroon, Mozambique, Tanzania, etc.); South Asia (Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, etc.); and Southeast Asia and Pacific (Philippines, Indonesia, Solomon Islands, etc.).

Scholarship value/inclusions:

Successful candidates will be provided with the opportunity to develop a research/study theme of direct relevance to their nation and/or region with respect to ocean affairs and the law of the sea, including in the marine sciences.

The 9-month Fellowship Programme is composed of two consecutive phases which provide Fellows with advanced and customized research and training opportunities in their chose fields:

Phase One: 6-month Advanced Academic Research and Study – undertaken at one of the prestigious participating Host Institutions and under the guidance of subject matter expert(s) who have recognized in-depth expertise in the Fellows’ chosen field of study.

Phase Two: 3-month Research and Training – normally undertaken at DOALOS at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Eligibility:

Candidates must:

• Be nominated by their Government or employer;
• Be between ages 25 and 40;
• Possess a first university degree in a related discipline, and have a demonstrated ability to undertake independent advanced research and studies in an academic context;
• Be mid-level professionals who demonstrate that they work directly on ocean issues;
• Be in a position to accept placement with host institutions for a period of no less than nine consecutive months;
• Be in a good state of health so as to be cleared by the UN Medical Service; and
• Be in a position to obtain all relevant visas, including transit visas.

Application instructions:

It is important to visit the website and read the 2009 official announcement (links found below) for detailed information on how to apply for this scholarship.

Application packages (including the forms) are available from the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, or online at the link.  Complete applications must be received by DOALOS not later than 15 August.

Contact information:

UN-Nippon Foundation Fellowship
Dr. François Bailet
Programme Advisor
DOALOS/OLA
2 United Nations Plaza 414
New York, NY 10017, U.S.A.
Phone: +1-917-367-5186
Fax: +1-212-963-5847
Email: bailet@un.org

Website:

Official Scholarship Website: http://www.un.org/depts/los/nippon

2009 Official Announcement (PDF file): http://www.un.org/depts/los/nippon/unnff_programme_home/Nipponbrochure_V5-color.pdf