UNESCO/Japan Young Researchers’ Fellowships 2026

Who is eligible?

Applicants must satisfy UNESCO’s 2026 eligibility rules and be nominated through an invited Member State or Associate Member. The programme specifically targets researchers from Africa, Small Island Developing States, Ukraine and Türkiye.

• Hold at least a Master’s degree or equivalent in a field relevant to the proposed research.
• Be 40 years old or younger at the time of application.
• Be a national of one of the invited countries or territories listed by UNESCO for the 2026 cycle.
• Have sufficient language ability for the proposed host institution in Japan.
• Secure an acceptance letter from an academic supervisor or host institution in Japan before the application is submitted.

Research areas

The 2026 cycle supports postgraduate research related to UNESCO priorities, especially projects in heritage conservation and management, sustainable development and artificial intelligence. Interdisciplinary proposals connecting these areas with social, ethical, governance and contextual issues are encouraged.

Funding and benefits

• Fellowship grant of up to US$10,000.
• Research stay in a Japanese university or research institution.
• Duration of no less than 3 months and no more than 9 months.
• Eligible costs may include international and domestic travel, accommodation, living expenses, medical insurance and justified research costs, subject to UNESCO’s official guide.

The grant is not an unrestricted cash prize. Applicants should read the official application guide carefully because some costs—such as tuition, equipment, publication expenses or conference participation—may not be covered unless specifically allowed.

Required application materials

• Official UNESCO application form.
• Academic documents confirming qualifications.
• Recommendation letter.
• Acceptance letter from a Japanese academic supervisor or host institution.
• Language-knowledge certificate where required.
• Research proposal prepared using UNESCO’s 2026 template.
• Any additional documents requested by the applicant’s National Commission for UNESCO.

How to apply

1. Read UNESCO’s 2026 Application Guide and annexes.
2. Check that your country or territory appears on the invited list.
3. Contact your National Commission for UNESCO immediately to confirm its internal deadline and nomination procedure.
4. Secure a willing academic supervisor or research host in Japan and obtain the required acceptance letter.
5. Prepare the research proposal and supporting documents.
6. Submit the application to your National Commission early enough for national pre-selection.
7. If nominated, follow the National Commission’s instructions for communicating the completed application package to UNESCO.

Apply / Official Call ↗Official Website ↗

Important dates

• July 6, 2026: 2026 call launched.
• September 30, 2026, midnight Paris time: deadline for nominated applications to reach UNESCO.
• October–November 2026: evaluation and selection.
• December 2026: fellowship awards expected.
• From February 2027: research stays may begin.
• By December 2027: fellowship period must be completed.

Application checklist and practical advice

The most time-sensitive requirement is usually not the research proposal—it is obtaining both a Japanese host and national nomination. Applicants should therefore contact their National Commission and potential Japanese supervisor before polishing the final application. Because each invited country may run its own pre-selection timetable, treating September 30 as your personal deadline can be risky.

• Confirm national eligibility first.
• Ask your National Commission for its internal deadline.
• Secure the host acceptance letter early.
• Keep the proposal tightly aligned with one of UNESCO’s listed research themes.
• Make the originality, expected contribution and reason for choosing the Japanese host explicit.

FAQs

Is the UNESCO/Japan fellowship fully funded?
The official 2026 grant is up to US$10,000 and is intended to support eligible research-stay expenses. It should not automatically be described as unlimited “full funding”; coverage depends on the approved budget and UNESCO rules.

Can I apply directly to UNESCO?
No. Only applications nominated by the relevant National Commission for UNESCO are accepted.

Do I need a supervisor in Japan before applying?
Yes. The application requires evidence that a Japanese academic supervisor or host institution has agreed to receive the applicant.

How long can the research stay last?
Between 3 and 9 months, beginning from February 2027 and finishing no later than December 2027.

How many fellowships are available?
UNESCO lists 10 fellowships for the 2026 cycle.

Is Türkiye eligible?
Yes. Türkiye is explicitly included among the invited countries for the 2026 cycle.

Last verified: September 7, 2026. ScholarshipHubNow verified the fellowship amount, number of awards, duration, host country, eligible regions, nomination route and official deadline against UNESCO’s official 2026 programme page and supporting guidance. Aggregator sites were used only for discovery.