UNESCO JAPAN YOUNG RESEARCHERS FELLOWSHIPS 2027

UNESCO Japan Young Researchers Fellowships 2027: Fully Funded Research Opportunity in Japan

UNESCO/Japan Young Researchers’ Fellowships Programme, also known as the UNESCO/Keizo Obuchi Research Fellowships Programme, is a fully funded international fellowship that supports outstanding young researchers undertaking postgraduate research in areas aligned with UNESCO’s priorities. Supported by the Government of Japan, the programme enables selected researchers to conduct research at Japanese universities and research institutions while strengthening international academic cooperation.

About the Fellowship

Established in 2001 under the Japanese Funds-in-Trust for the Capacity-Building of Human Resources, the programme promotes research, knowledge exchange, and capacity building in areas including heritage conservation, sustainable development, and artificial intelligence.

For the 2027 fellowship cycle, UNESCO and the Government of Japan will award 10 fellowships to highly qualified young researchers from eligible Member States and Associate Members.

Fellowship Benefits

Selected fellows may receive a grant of up to US$10,000, which can be used to support:

International and domestic travel
Accommodation
Medical insurance
Living expenses in Japan
Local transportation
Research-related expenses where applicable

Medical insurance is arranged by UNESCO, with the cost deducted from the fellowship grant.

The fellowship does not cover:

Tuition fees
Computer or equipment purchases
Publication costs
Conference participation unless directly related to the approved research project

Fellowship Duration

Minimum: 3 months
Maximum: 9 months

Research stays begin from February 2027 onwards and must be completed no later than December 2027.

Research Areas

Applicants must submit research proposals within one of the programme’s priority themes:

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

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

Be nationals of an invited UNESCO Member State or Associate Member.
Be 40 years of age or younger at the time of application.
Hold at least a Master’s degree or equivalent.
Demonstrate strong academic and research potential.
Possess sufficient language proficiency required by the host institution.
Obtain acceptance from an academic supervisor at a Japanese university or research institution before applying.

Application Deadline

Candidate Submission Deadline: 30 September 2026

Applications must be submitted through the applicant’s National Commission for UNESCO.

How to Apply

Applicants should:

Carefully read the official application guide.
Contact their National Commission for UNESCO regarding national application procedures.
Prepare all required documents, including:
- Application form
- Research proposal
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates
- Recommendation letter
- Host institution acceptance letter
- Language certificate
Submit the complete application to the National Commission before its internal deadline.
If nominated, submit the online application and supporting documents to UNESCO.
Await the final selection by UNESCO and the Government of Japan.

Selection Process

Applications are evaluated by a Selection Committee composed of experts from UNESCO and the Government of Japan. Assessment considers:

Academic excellence
Quality and originality of the research proposal
Relevance to UNESCO’s priorities
Research potential
Gender equality and geographical diversity

The final fellowship awards are made by the Japanese authorities based on the Committee’s recommendations.

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