United Nations University Scholarships 2027 for Developing Countries

The United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS) in Tokyo, Japan, offers scholarships to students from developing countries for its MSc in Sustainability and PhD in Sustainability Science.

Status: applications for September 2027 entry open in November 2026. The last deadline was 28 January, so expect the next one around late January 2027. Prepare now.

Programmes

• MSc in Sustainability: 2 years
• PhD in Sustainability Science: 3 years

Both are taught in English. You choose one of four thematic areas and propose research to carry out at UNU-IAS.

Scholarships

¥120,000 is about US$800 a month. Visa fees and health or accident insurance are not covered.

There's no separate scholarship form. You give the information in your admission application, and scholarships are awarded to accepted students on a competitive basis.

Who can apply

• A citizen of a developing country on the OECD DAC list of aid recipients, including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Ethiopia, Pakistan and most of Africa and Asia
• Able to show financial need
• Not living in Japan on a working visa
• MSc applicants must not already hold a master's degree or be enrolled in another postgraduate programme
• Recipients can't hold another scholarship at the same time
• The Rector's and Resona scholarships also look for an interest in the work of the United Nations

How to apply

1. Choose the MSc or PhD and one of the four thematic areas on the UNU-IAS degree programmes page: https://unu.edu/ias/admissions/degree-programmes
2. When applications open in November 2026, complete the online application, including the scholarship and financial-need information.
3. Submit before the deadline, usually late January.

Prepare now

• A clear research proposal in one of the thematic areas. This matters most.
• Transcripts and degree certificates
• English test results (check the FAQ for requirements)
• Reference letters
• Proof of financial need

Tips

• Read UNU-IAS's research themes and link your proposal to them directly.
• Show how your study will help your home country's sustainability challenges.
• Apply early. Scholarships are competitive and limited.