UNNF Strategic Needs Fellowship 2026

📖 About UNNF Strategic Needs Fellowship

The Strategic Needs Fellowship aims to enable developing States, particularly least developed countries, small island developing States, and landlocked developing countries, to better address strategically important and time-sensitive issues in ocean affairs and the law of the sea.

Sponsor Organization

• United Nations

🎁 Benefits of UNNF Strategic Needs Fellowship

Participants of the fellowship will receive the following benefits:

• Monthly stipend during the Fellowship (in New York and at host institutions for the 9-month program).
• Round-trip economy airfare between home country and New York.
• Medical coverage via Cigna Health Insurance (general medical and hospital treatments covered up to a limit).
• Fellows must arrange their own accommodation; host institutions may assist in some cases.
• Visa costs are not reimbursed but can be covered from the first month’s stipend.

✅ UNNF Strategic Needs Fellowship Requirements

To be eligible for the fellowship, applicants must:

• Be between the ages of 25 and 45.
• Have successfully completed a first-level university degree.
• Be Government officials from developing countries dealing directly with critical issues related to:
  • Implementation of UNCLOS and related instruments.
  • 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
  • National and/or regional ocean policies.
  • Establishment of maritime zones and delimitation of maritime boundaries.
  • Coastal zone management.
  • Conservation and management of marine living resources.
  • Maritime transport and shipping.
  • Maritime security.
  • Protection and preservation of the marine environment.
  • Ocean and climate change.
  • Marine science.
• Have strong command of oral and written English (note: the activities of the Fellowship are delivered in English).
• Ensure the identified needs directly relate to the State's formulation and/or implementation of ocean affairs and law of the sea policies and programmes.
• Be free of all non-Fellowship obligations during the entire Fellowship period, unless otherwise authorized by the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, Office of Legal Affairs.

📅 Application Date and Process

• Application Deadline: 22 March, 2026
• To apply, visit the UNNF Strategic Needs Fellowship Application Portal.

🔗 Scholarship Application Portal

For more details, visit the official UNNF Strategic Needs Fellowship page.

• Monthly stipend during the Fellowship (in New York and at host institutions for the 9‑month program).
• Round-trip economy airfare between home country and New York.
• Medical coverage via Cigna Health Insurance (general medical and hospital treatments covered up to a limit).
• Fellows must arrange their own accommodation; host institutions may assist in some cases.
• Visa costs are not reimbursed but can be covered from the first month’s stipend.