UNESCO/Japan Young Researchers’ Fellowship Programme 2020 for Developing Countries

The Government of Japan offers 10 fellowships, to be awarded to deserving candidates from developing countries, special attention will be given to those who may wish pursue their research studies in Japan, to women, candidates from LDCs, Africa and SIDS countries who are eager to undertake research on one or more of the topics listed below. 

Application Deadline: 29th November 2019

Eligible Countries: Developing Countries

To Be Taken At (Country):

• In one or two countries
•  It should be understood that at the end of the Fellowship, the beneficiary must agree to return to his/her home country so that knowledge acquired may be put to good use in local research and training programmes.

About the Award: 1. The UNESCO/Keizo Obuchi Research Fellowships Programme (UNESCO/Japan Young Researchers’ Fellowship Programme) funded under the Japanese Funds-in-Trust for the capacity-building of Human Resources will aim, in particular, to impact on capacity-building and research activities in the following areas: 1. Environment (with particular attention on disaster risk reduction (DRR); 2.  Intercultural Dialogue; 3.  Information and Communication Technologies; and 4.  Peaceful conflict resolution. No other research topics will be considered.

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Fields of Research: 

•  Environment (with particular emphasis on disaster risk reduction (DRR);
•  Intercultural Dialogue
•  Information and Communication Technologies
•  Peaceful Conflicts Resolution

Type: Fellowship, Research

Eligibility: Applicants, a maximum of TWO from each applying National Commission, must meet the following general criteria:

1. Candidates under this Programme must be post-graduate researchers, already holding either an M.A. or M.Sc. degree (or equivalent) and wishing to pursue research work abroad (preferably in their own region) with a view to enhancing knowledge in one of the four specific fields mentioned in paragraph D.1 below. Thus, those who are in the process of completing their Master’s degree must have completed it PRIOR to taking up their Fellowship.

2.   Candidates must be persons of high intellectual promise who may be expected to make significant contributions to their country on return.

3.   Candidates must be no more than 40 years of age. Thus, applicants born before 1 January 1978 will not be considered under the Programme.

4.   The selected Fellow must carry out the research under the auspices of an academic supervisor in a host institution. Confirmation of acceptance from the academic supervisor is imperative.

5.   Priority attention will be given to:

•  * Women candidatures
•  * Candidates from least developed countries (LDCs) and SIDS
•  * African researchers
•  * Those who may wish pursue their research studies in Japan

6.      Candidates must be proficient in reading and writing the language of instruction in the proposed country of study/research

Number of Awards: 10

Value of Award: The Fellowships financed by Japan and administered by UNESCO will consist of the following:

•  A Lump sum contribution of US$10,000 will be awarded to selected candidates. The amount, to be paid in two or three instalments, is intended to cover research costs only, and will not be negotiable.
•  No other costs will be considered and grants will be neither extended nor renewed.

Duration of Programme: Possible date of commencing research:

•  Any time from June 2020 onwards

5. Deadline for termination of research:

•  end of February 2022

Duration of proposed research:

•  minimum:  3 months
•  maximum: 9 months

How to Apply: It is important to go through the Programme Weboage for details on how to apply.

Visit Programme Webpage for Details

Award Providers: Government of Japan

Important Note: The following costs are not eligible: computer or equipment purchases; publication costs; attendance at conferences, unless a case can be made that such attendance is an integral part of the research and would make a direct and significant contribution to the outcome of the development of the research project.).