The United Nations University has officially opened applications for its Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026, inviting highly qualified young researchers from around the world to conduct advanced, policy-relevant research in Japan. This is a fully funded postdoctoral research opportunity jointly organized by the United Nations University (UNU) and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), designed for the 2026–2027 research cohort.
What Type of Opportunity Is This?
The JSPS–UNU Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme is a prestigious international fellowship that allows selected researchers to spend up to 24 months in Japan, conducting sustainability-focused research under the supervision of a host researcher at a Japanese university or research institution, in cooperation with UNU-IAS (Tokyo). The programme strongly emphasizes policy relevance, interdisciplinary research, and global impact, with a special focus on scholars from the developing world.
Who Is This Fellowship For?
This UNU fellowship opportunity is ideal for:
- Early-career researchers who recently completed their PhD
- Scholars aiming to work at the intersection of research, policy, and global sustainability
- Researchers seeking long-term academic exposure in Japan with UN affiliation
- Candidates planning a postdoctoral pathway that strengthens future careers in academia, international organizations, or policy institutions
The fellowship is open to international applicants from countries that have diplomatic relations with Japan.
What Does the Fellowship Offer?
Selected fellows under the UNU Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026 receive comprehensive financial and academic support, allowing them to focus fully on research:
- Monthly maintenance allowance: JPY 362,000
- Round-trip international airfare (as per JSPS regulations)
- Settling-in allowance: JPY 200,000
- Overseas travel insurance
- Access to a competitive research grant (applied for by the host researcher)
- Full-time research appointment for 24 months in Japan
- Supervision by leading Japanese academics with collaboration opportunities at UNU-IAS
This structure makes the fellowship particularly attractive for researchers targeting high-impact publications, international policy engagement, and long-term research careers.
Thematic Research Areas
Applicants must align their proposal with one of the following UNU-IAS thematic programmes:
- Governance for Climate Change and Sustainable Development
- Biodiversity & Society
- Water & Resource Management
- Innovation & Education
All proposed research must be policy-relevant and integrate gender perspectives within the research agenda.
Eligibility Requisites for UNU fellowships for Postdoc Positions
You are eligible to apply for these UNU postdoc positions if you meet the following conditions:
- Hold a PhD degree awarded on or after 2 April 2020 (maternity/paternity leave excluded), or will complete your PhD by July 2026
- Are not a Japanese national or permanent resident of Japan
- Have not previously received a JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship
- Are a citizen of a country with diplomatic relations with Japan
- Have a confirmed host researcher at an eligible Japanese institution before applying
- Possess strong research credentials and a clear, policy-oriented research proposal
- Are fluent in English (knowledge of other languages is an advantage)
Apply: https://unu.edu/ias/postdoctoral-fellowships
The last date to apply for the JSPS–UNU Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme 2026 is 31 January 2026 (23:59 JST).