UNNF Ocean Governance Fellowship

Call for applications for the UNNF Ocean Governance Fellowship 2026. The United Nations, through its official portal, has recently announced the applications for the fellowship program. It’s a prestigious fellowship program jointly organized by The Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, United Nations, and the Nippon Foundation, which
aims to empower government officials from SIDS in ocean governance and the international legal framework so they can meaningfully contribute in their countries. The fellowship is inviting applications from government officials aged between 25 and 45 years old with first level university degree to apply and have an opportunity to recieve intensive traning in ocean governance from UN experts. The fellowship program is 3 months long, which will take place in OLA/DOALOS, at United Nations Headquarters in New York, from September to December 2026.

It’s a structured training program, prepared by the UN experts, that features in-person
training sessions, scenario-based exercises, workshops led by visiting experts, and United Nations staff. The Nippon Foundation covers all the costs related to the program. The coverage includes round-trip economy class airfare support, a monthly allowance, medical insurance, a via processing fee, and local transportation costs. This is your chance to gain hands‑on training in international legal frameworks, Blue Economy, and climate change resilience, and expand your professional networks with the global experts.

No application fee is required; interested applicants must submit their applications by March 22nd, 2026. Learn more about the UNNF Ocean Governance Fellowship below.

• Country: USA
• Location: UN Hq, New York
• Duration: 3 Months
• Dates: Early September to Early December 2026
• Enhance the human capacity to support the development of ocean governance
• Implement the 1982 UN Convention on the law of the SEA (UNCLOS)
• Tackle climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss
• Implement SDG
  14

The Nippon Foundation covers all the expenses of fellows for the duration of the program. The coverage includes

• A competitive stipend to cover living expenses in New York
• Local transportation costs

Individuals meeting the following criteria are invitied to submit the applications for the UNNF fellowship program:

• Profession:
  Must be a government official currenly placed in a position that is relevant to the Ocean affairs or the law of the sea
• Must have completed a first-level university degree from a recognized institution
• A strong command of the English language
• Demonstrate interest in Ocean affairs and the blue economy
• Available during the program dates
• Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply
• Fellows will receive customized training on ocean governance
• The curriculum is delivered by the UN experts and global experts
• Expand your global network with peers and UN officials
• Opportunity to gain valubale insights into the work of the United Nations
• Spend 3 months in one of the most dynamic and vibrant cities of USA

The application process consists of the following steps:

Step 1:
Visit the offical link below and fill out three forms:

• Nomination form
• Online application form
• Personal history and study programme form

Step 2:
You need to submit the following documents:

For more details and  the offical link below.

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