UNESCO-Japan Research Fellowships Programme 2010- For Developing Countries Students

NESCO/Keizo Obuchi (Japan) Co-Sponsored Research Fellowships Programme: 2010 Cycle – With a view to keeping alive and honouring the spirit of former Prime Minister Obuchi and his belief in “people building the next era”, 20 fellowships per year, for the ninth year, will be awarded to deserving candidates from UNESCO developing countries, especially the least developed countries (LDCs), who are eager to undertake research on one or more of the topics listed below. The aim of the fellowships is to support innovative and imaginative post-graduate research in the areas of development to which former Prime Minister Obuchi was committed and which coincide with areas of particular interest to UNESCO.

(Deadline for the submission of applications: 8 January 2010. Please see the announcement letter of the programme which is available in:English, French, Spanish and Arabic)

Fellowship application form

Deadline for applications: 08 Jan 2010

A. INTRODUCTION
Mr Keizo Obuchi, former Prime Minister of Japan, passed away on 14 May 2000 at the age of 62. Soft-spoken and charismatic, he was known as a man of integrity, honesty and modesty. He built a reputation as an exemplary official and was a particularly adept negotiator. A member of Japan’s Diet (Parliament) for over thirty years, he served as Japan’s Foreign Minister in 1997 until he was elected Prime Minister in July 1998. Mr Obuchi was known in the international arena for his commitment to development issues and his resolve to put Japan at the forefront of countries involved in consolidating the efforts of the international community to further progress in the social and economic development of humankind.

B. OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

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 which 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. No other research topics will be considered.

C. ELIGIBILITY

Applicants, a maximum of TWO from each applying National Commission, must meet the following general criteria:

1. 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 in paragraph D.1 below. Thus, those who are in the process of completing their Master’s degree must have completed it PRIOR to taking up their Fellowship.

2. Candidates must be persons of high intellectual promise who may be expected to make significant contributions to their country on return.

3. Candidates must be no more than 40 years of age. Thus, applicants born before 1 January 1970 will not be considered under the Programme.

4. 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.

5. Priority attention will be given to:

* Women
* Candidates from least developed countries (LDCs)
* Palestinian researchers

6. Candidates must be proficient in reading and writing the language of instruction in the proposed country of study/research.

7. Applicants must be in good health, both physically and mentally.

D. CONDITIONS FOR APPLICATION

1. Domains of research(a list of Suggested Sub-themes for research is provided in the announcement letter):

• Environment (with particular emphasis on to Water Sciences);
• Intercultural Dialogue;
• Information and Communication Technologies;
• Peaceful Conflicts Resolution.

2. Duration of proposed research:

minimum: 3 months
maximum: 9 months

3. Closing date for receipt of applications: 8 January 2010

4. Possible date of commencing research: Anytime from September 2010

5. Deadline for termination of research: December 2011

6. Place of study: 1 or 2 countries abroad

It should be understood that upon termination of the Fellowship, the beneficiary must agree to return to his/her home country so that knowledge acquired may be put to good use in local research and training programmes.

7. Study arrangements:
Research must be carried out under the auspices of an academic supervisor in a host institution

8. Application Procedures

NOTE: Please refer to the list of invited Member States who are eligible for this fellowship offer.

Further Scholarship Information and Application

India Specific (PDF)

All Countries

Further Scholarship Information at the UNESCO Website