Grant opportunity
UNESCO/Japan Young Researchers' Fellowships Programme 2026
UNESCO and Japan will award ten fellowships for postgraduate research on heritage, sustainable development and artificial intelligence during 2027.
- Funder
- UNESCO / Government of Japan
- National Commissions must submit nominations by 30 September 2026 at midnight Paris time
- National Commissions must submit nominations by 30 September 2026 at midnight Paris time: Sep 30, 2026
- Award
- Up to USD 10,000 for a three-to-nine-month research stay in Japan
- Applicant
- Researchers aged 40 or younger from an invited country who hold at least a master's degree, demonstrate relevant research potential and obtain acceptance from a supervisor at a Japanese university or research institution.
- Discipline
- General and Multidisciplinary
- Region
- Africa / SIDS / Ukraine / Türkiye / Japan
- Posted
- Aug 10, 2026
Call summary
Overview
The Keizo Obuchi programme strengthens research capacity and international exchange through supervised research stays in Japan. The 2026 cycle prioritises heritage conservation and management, sustainable development, and AI for natural-resource and climate action.
Who can apply
Applicants must be nationals of an invited African, Arab, Asia-Pacific, Caribbean, European or SIDS member state, be no older than 40, hold a relevant master's degree, have the required language ability and secure a Japanese host supervisor before nomination.
What it supports
- Heritage conservation and management
- AI for sustainable natural-resource management and climate action
- Three-to-nine-month research stays completed by December 2027
Funding and duration
- Up to USD 10,000 as a lump-sum contribution.
- Eligible costs can include travel, accommodation, medical insurance, subsistence and approved research expenses.
National Commissions must submit nominations by 30 September 2026 at midnight Paris time
National Commissions must submit nominations by 30 September 2026 at midnight Paris time: Sep 30, 2026
How to apply
Contact the home country's National Commission for UNESCO well before its internal deadline, prepare the official forms and host acceptance, and submit the complete dossier through the National Commission.
Call details
Source-based overview
The UNESCO/Japan Young Researchers' Fellowships Programme supports ten high-quality postgraduate projects that connect UNESCO priorities with research expertise in Japan. Only candidates formally nominated by their National Commission for UNESCO can be considered.
Eligibility
Applicants must be nationals of an invited African, Arab, Asia-Pacific, Caribbean, European or SIDS member state, be no older than 40, hold a relevant master's degree, have the required language ability and secure a Japanese host supervisor before nomination.
Funding and benefits
Up to USD 10,000 as a lump-sum contribution.
Eligible costs can include travel, accommodation, medical insurance, subsistence and approved research expenses.
Themes and supported activities
Heritage conservation and management
AI for sustainable natural-resource management and climate action
Three-to-nine-month research stays completed by December 2027
Deadline and timeline
National Commissions must submit nominations by 30 September 2026 at midnight Paris time: National Commissions must submit nominations by 30 September 2026 at midnight Paris time: Sep 30, 2026.
Applicants should confirm the exact deadline time, time zone, required documents, portal steps and any institutional approvals on the official call page before submitting.
How to apply
Contact the home country's National Commission for UNESCO well before its internal deadline, prepare the official forms and host acceptance, and submit the complete dossier through the National Commission.
Before applying, check eligibility rules, budgets, attachments, page limits, partner requirements, cost-share conditions and whether the opportunity uses an expression of interest, full proposal, registration or nomination stage.