JFUNU Scholarships for MSc in Sustainability Programme for Developing Country Students

Overview

The Japan Foundation for UNU (JFUNU) Scholarship is a need and merit-based award for outstanding students from developing countries admitted to the Master of Science (MSc) in Sustainability programme at the United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS) in Tokyo, Japan.

Nepal is eligible — it is listed on the OECD DAC list of developing countries, which is the eligibility criterion for this scholarship. Nepali students with backgrounds in environmental science, climate policy, biodiversity, water management, or related fields are well positioned for this programme.

UNU-IAS is located in Tokyo and offers students the opportunity to take courses at leading Japanese universities including the University of Tokyo, Sophia University, International Christian University, and Yokohama National University — alongside the UNU-IAS curriculum.

Two scholarship routes for Nepali students: In addition to the JFUNU Scholarship, UNU-IAS also offers a limited number of ADB-Japan Scholarship Programme (ADB-JSP) places for the same MSc — which provides a more comprehensive coverage package including housing allowance, medical insurance, and books allowance. Nepal is eligible for ADB-JSP. Both scholarships are awarded during the admissions process with no separate application required.

Eligibility

• Citizen of a developing country listed on the OECD DAC list — Nepal qualifies
• Demonstrates financial need
• Holds a completed Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in a field related to sustainability — or expects to receive one before the September intake
• GPA of 2.8 or above on a 4.0 scale (equivalent to 70% on a 100% scale) for the Bachelor's degree
• Proficient in English — IELTS or TOEFL required (scores must be valid, i.e. issued within the last two years)
• Not currently enrolled in another postgraduate degree programme
• Has not already obtained a Master's degree at an institution other than UNU-IAS
• Not a concurrent recipient of another scholarship

English Language Requirements

• TOEFL iBT: minimum score required (check current guidelines)
• IELTS: original score report required — no photocopies accepted
• Exemption: applicants who studied for at least two consecutive years in a degree programme taught entirely in English may submit a certificate from their university in lieu of a test score — the original certificate must reach UNU-IAS directly by the stated deadline

Thematic Research Areas

Applicants must select one area and propose relevant research:

• Governance for Climate Change and Sustainable Development
• Biodiversity and Society
• Water and Natural Resources Management
• Innovation in Education for Sustainable Development

How to Apply

No separate scholarship application is required. The JFUNU scholarship is assessed automatically during the admissions selection process.

1. Review the Application Guidelines — download the current year's MSc Application Guidelines from the UNU-IAS website before starting. Requirements and deadlines change slightly each cycle.
2. Prepare your documents — gather the following:
   • Bachelor's degree certificate and transcripts
   • Valid IELTS or TOEFL score report (original — no photocopies)
   • Research proposal aligned to one of the four UNU-IAS thematic areas
   • Letters of recommendation
   • Statement of purpose
3. Submit the online application — apply through the UNU-IAS online application portal by the deadline. For September 2026 entry the deadline was 27 February 2026. For September 2027 entry, applications are expected to open in late 2026.
4. Scholarship consideration — during the selection process, outstanding applicants from developing countries who demonstrate financial need are automatically considered for the JFUNU Scholarship. No separate form needed.
5. ADB-JSP consideration — applicants are also automatically considered for the ADB-Japan Scholarship Programme places at UNU-IAS if eligible. The ADB-JSP provides more comprehensive coverage than JFUNU.
6. English certificate (if applicable) — if claiming an English language exemption based on prior English-medium study, the original university certificate must be posted directly to UNU-IAS by the stated deadline.

Programme starts in September each year. Contact UNU-IAS at unu.edu/ias for application guidance.