UNESCO and the Government of Japan are offering the UNESCO/Japan Young Researchers’ Fellowships Programme 2026, also known as the UNESCO/Keizo Obuchi Research Fellowships Programme, supporting young researchers to conduct postgraduate research in Japan.
The 2026 cycle is now open, with applications accepted until 30 September 2026.
Opportunity Overview
Programme: UNESCO/Japan Young Researchers’ Fellowships Programme 2026
Former Name: UNESCO/Keizo Obuchi Research Fellowships Programme
Host Country: Japan
Fellowship Type: Research Fellowship
Number of Fellowships: 10
Grant Amount: Up to US$10,000
Duration: 3 to 9 months
Research Period: February 2027 onwards, completed by December 2027
About the Fellowship
Established in 2001 through the Japanese Funds-in-Trust for Human Resources Capacity-Building, the programme aims to strengthen research capacity and promote international knowledge exchange. Since its creation, it has supported 291 young researchers from 101 countries.
For the 2026 cycle, UNESCO and Japan will support researchers from:
Africa
Small Island Developing States
Ukraine
Türkiye
The fellowship focuses on innovative postgraduate research connected to:
Heritage conservation and management
Sustainable development
Artificial intelligence
Social, ethical and governance dimensions of technology
Available Research Areas
Applicants should submit research proposals in one of these areas:
- Heritage Conservation and Management
Research related to protecting, preserving and managing cultural and natural heritage.
- AI for Sustainable Management of Natural Resources and Climate Action
Projects exploring artificial intelligence solutions for sustainability and climate challenges.
- Ethical, Inclusive and Human-Centred AI for Sustainable Development
Research focusing on responsible and inclusive artificial intelligence.
- AI for Sustainable Cities, Infrastructure and Societal Resilience
Research applying AI to improve urban systems and resilience.
- AI and Education
Research exploring artificial intelligence applications in education.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
Be citizens of one of the invited UNESCO Member States or Associate Members
Be 40 years old or younger at the time of application
Hold at least a Master’s degree or equivalent
Demonstrate strong academic and research potential
Have sufficient language proficiency for the host institution in Japan
Obtain acceptance from an academic supervisor at a Japanese university or research institution
Eligible African Countries
The programme is open to applicants from many African countries, including:
Zimbabwe
Zambia
Uganda
South Africa
Nigeria
Ghana
Kenya
Malawi
Mozambique
Tanzania
Rwanda
Botswana
Namibia
Ethiopia
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Somalia
South Sudan
Liberia
Mauritius
and other invited UNESCO Member States.
Fellowship Benefits
Selected fellows may receive up to US$10,000 to support their research stay in Japan. The grant may cover:
International and domestic travel
Accommodation
Medical insurance
Living expenses in Japan
Research-related expenses where applicable
The fellowship does not normally cover tuition fees, equipment purchases, publication costs or conferences unless directly justified as part of the approved research project.
Application Process
Applicants should:
Step 1: Review the UNESCO Application Guide.
Step 2: Contact their country’s National Commission for UNESCO.
Step 3: Prepare required documents, including:
Application form
Academic documents
Recommendation letter
Host institution acceptance letter
Language certificate
Research proposal
Step 4: Submit the application through the National Commission for UNESCO.
Only applications nominated by National Commissions will be accepted by UNESCO.
Deadline
Application Deadline: 30 September 2026
Submission Time: Midnight Paris Time
Why Apply?
This fellowship provides young researchers with:
International research experience in Japan
Access to Japanese universities and research institutions
Global academic networking opportunities
Funding to advance impactful research projects
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