UNESCO/Keizo Obuchi (Japan) Research Fellowships Programme

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)/Keizo Obuchi (Japan) Research Fellowships Programme offers 20 fellowships per year to selected candidates from UNESCO developing countries, especially the least developed countries (LDCs). The aim of the fellowships is to support innovative and imaginative post-graduate research in the areas of development to which Mr. Keizo Obuchi, former Prime Minister of Japan, was committed and which coincide with areas of particular interest to UNESCO.

The UNESCO/Keizo Obuchi Research Fellowships Programme, funded under a Japan Funds-in-Trust project, will aim, in particular, to impact on capacity-building and research activities in the following areas that were of particular importance to Mr. Keizo Obuchi:

1. Environment (with particular attention to water sciences);  
2. Intercultural dialogue;
   
3. Information and communication technologies; and
   
4. Peaceful conflict resolution. 

Applicants must meet the following general criteria:

• 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 above. Thus, those who are in the process of completing their Master’s degree must have completed it prior to taking up their Fellowship.
  
• Candidates must be persons of high intellectual promise who may be expected to make significant contributions to their country on return.
  
• Candidates must be no more than 40 years of age.
  
• 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. The research period duration is: minimum: 3 months maximum, 9 months
  
• A maximum amount between US$6,000 to 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.
  
• Priority attention will be given to: women, candidates from LDCs, and Palestinian researchers.
  
• Candidates must be proficient in reading and writing the language of instruction in the proposed country of study/research.
  
• Applicants must be in good health, both physically and mentally.