The Strategic Needs Fellowship aims to enable developing States, particularly least developed countries, small island developing States and landlocked developing countries, to better address strategically important and time-sensitive issues facing them in ocean affairs and the law of the sea. Government officials from developing States with a limited background in ocean affairs and the law of the sea, who are filling key positions in their Administration, are provided with in-depth highly customized training on ocean affairs and the law of the sea, with a focus on those areas in which States have identified critical capacity barriers.
Upon completion of the Fellowship, Fellows are expected to return to their positions and use their training on international legal frameworks, key issues and best practices in ocean affairs, the work of the United Nations, and professional skills, to assist their States in the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and related instruments, as well as Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 and other related SDGs.
Objectives
The objective of this Fellowship is to assist developing States, particularly least developed countries (LDC), small island developing States (SIDS), and landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) in addressing strategically important and time-sensitive issues in ocean affairs and the law of the sea. This includes the implementation of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), its implementing agreements, including the BBNJ Agreement, and related instruments, as well as Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 and other related SDGs.
Fellowship structure, curriculum and deliverables
The Fellowship consists of an approximately four-month training programme at OLA/DOALOS, at United Nations Headquarters in New York. A highly customized curriculum is developed by the Division for successful candidates, tailored to the high‐priority needs identified in their applications and supported by their Nominating Authorities, with a view to building the capacity of Government officials to assist their States in effectively addressing those needs. The curriculum comprises in-person training sessions, scenario-based exercises, group discussions and workshops delivered by United Nations staff and visiting experts.
The deliverables of the Fellowship Programme include assignments, a research paper prepared by the Fellows, and the development of an ocean governance matrix.
The Fellowship is scheduled to take place from early September to mid December 2026.
Eligibility criteria
This Fellowship is open to Government officials who hold positions in their Administrations relevant to ocean affairs and the law of the sea, and who have limited background in this field. The eligibility criteria can be found here.
The Fellowship is fully funded and includes a monthly stipend, medical insurance, and round-trip economy class airfare. Further details about the Fellowship conditions and financial support are available on our Fellowship Conditions webpage.
Application process
Candidates must complete the application package available in the “Apply Now” section on the UN-Nippon Foundation Programmes website (https://www.un.org/oceancapacity/content/apply-now). To apply, candidates must:
- Complete the required application forms
- Submit the application forms, along with a copy of their passport, to the following email address: doalos@un.org, with the email subject line “2026 UNNF Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Strategic Needs Fellowships“.
NOTE: This year’s application forms allow candidates to submit a single application for the UNNF Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Fellowship (for SIDS nationals only) and for the UNNF Strategic Needs Fellowship. Eligible applicants may apply to one or both Fellowships but will ultimately be selected for only one Fellowship.
The deadline for submitting the complete application package is 22 March 2026. Applicants should familiarize themselves with the eligibility requirements and use the application forms made available on the website to apply for the Programme. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Awards will be communicated individually to the selected candidates and subsequently posted in the News section of the Fellowship website by the end of May 2026. Eleven Fellowships will be offered for the 2026 session of the Strategic Needs Fellowship.
Additional information: