UNESCO/Japan Young Researchers' Fellowships Programme (UNESCO/Keizo Obuchi Research Fellowships Programme)

2012 Cycle - Reinforcing its belief in “people building the next era”, the Government of Japan offers 20 fellowships per year, for the twelfth consecutive year, to be awarded to deserving candidates from 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 four areas of development of particular interest to UNESCO.

INTRODUCTION
UNESCO designed the project “UNESCO/Keizo Obuchi Research Fellowships Programme” (UNESCO/Japan Young Researchers’ Fellowship Programme) in the framework of the Japanese Funds-in-Trust for the Capacity-Building of Human Resources which was established in November 2000 by the Government of Japan to enable UNESCO to give impetus to research in four areas under UNESCO’s Priority Programme Areas.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME
The UNESCO/Keizo Obuchi Research Fellowships Programme (UNESCO/Japan Young Researchers’ Fellowship Programme) funded under the Japanese Funds-in-Trust for the capacity-building of Human Resources will aim, in particular, to impact on capacity-building and research activities in the following areas: Environment (with particular attention to Water Sciences); Intercultural Dialogue; Information and Communication Technologies; and Peaceful conflict resolution. No other research topics will be considered.



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 1972 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 candidatures
* 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).

CONDITIONS FOR APPLICATION
1. Domains of research:

» Environment (with particular emphasis on Water Sciences, Water Issues, Climate Change, Engineering Capacity Building in the Developing World)
» 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: 13 January 2012

4. Possible date of commencing research: Any time from September 2012 onwards

5. Deadline for termination of research: end of December 2013

6. Place of study: In one or two countries abroad

It should be understood that at the end 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.

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