JFUNU Scholarships for PhD in Sustainability Science

Overview

The Japan Foundation for UNU (JFUNU) Scholarship for the PhD in Sustainability Science is the doctoral counterpart to the JFUNU MSc Scholarship, offered at the United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS) in Tokyo, Japan. It supports outstanding students from developing countries admitted to the three-year PhD in Sustainability Science programme.

Nepal is eligible as an OECD DAC-listed developing country. The PhD programme is research-intensive, with students conducting original research within UNU-IAS's four thematic areas — all directly relevant to Nepal's development challenges in climate, water, biodiversity, and governance.

As with the MSc, UNU-IAS also offers ADB-Japan Scholarship Programme (ADB-JSP) places for the PhD — providing more comprehensive coverage including housing, medical insurance, and research allowance. Both scholarships are assessed automatically during admissions with no separate application required.

PhD students at UNU-IAS can additionally pursue a joint diploma with partner universities in Japan. Students who complete the three-year PhD and earn 18 credits (at least 8 from specified UNU-IAS and partner university courses) are eligible for a joint diploma alongside their UNU-IAS doctorate.

Eligibility

• Citizen of a developing country on the OECD DAC list — Nepal qualifies
• Demonstrates financial need
• Holds a completed Master's degree or equivalent in a field related to sustainability
• Strong academic record — competitive research proposal required
• Proficient in English — valid IELTS or TOEFL score required (within last two years)
• Not currently enrolled in another PhD programme
• Has not already obtained a PhD at an institution other than UNU-IAS
• Not a concurrent recipient of another scholarship

Research Thematic Areas

Applicants must propose research aligned to one of the four UNU-IAS thematic areas:

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

English Language Exemption

Applicants who studied for at least two consecutive years in a degree programme taught entirely in English may submit a university certificate in lieu of a test score. The original certificate must be posted directly to UNU-IAS by the application deadline.

How to Apply

No separate scholarship application is required. Like the MSc scholarship, the JFUNU PhD scholarship is assessed automatically during the admissions process.

1. Review the PhD Application Guidelines — download the current guidelines from the UNU-IAS website. Requirements and deadlines vary slightly each year.
2. Develop your research proposal — this is the core of your PhD application. Your proposal must be aligned to one of the four UNU-IAS thematic areas and demonstrate original research potential. This takes significant preparation — begin months before the deadline.
3. Prepare your documents — gather:
   • Master's degree certificate and transcripts
   • Research proposal
   • Valid IELTS or TOEFL score report (original)
   • Letters of recommendation
   • CV and statement of purpose
4. Submit the online application — apply through the UNU-IAS portal. For September 2026 entry, applications were expected to open in early December 2025. The application deadline for September 2026 entry was February 2026. For September 2027 entry, applications are expected to open December 2026.
5. Automatic scholarship consideration — outstanding applicants from developing countries with financial need are automatically considered for JFUNU and ADB-JSP scholarships. No separate form required.

Contact UNU-IAS at unu.edu/ias/doctorate-degree/phd-sustainability-science for programme details.