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JFUNU Scholarships for PhD in Sustainability Science 2025

January 25, 2025
written by Sidra Batool

The Japan Foundation for United Nations University (JFUNU) Scholarship supports outstanding PhD candidates in Sustainability Science who demonstrate financial need. It is offered by the United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS), this program is ideal for scholars who aim to address global sustainability challenges.

Scholarship Overview

Here is an overview of the key details of the JFUNU Scholarships for PhD in Sustainability Science:

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JFUNU Scholarships for PhD in Sustainability Science 2025
Scholarship NameJFUNU Scholarships for PhD in Sustainability Science
Host InstitutionUnited Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS)
Level/Field of StudyPhD in Sustainability Science
Number of ScholarshipsLimited
Target GroupCitizens of developing countries listed in the OECD DAC list
Scholarship ValueMonthly allowance of 120,000 JPY (up to 36 months), tuition waiver
EligibilityMasterโ€™s degree holders with sustainability-related expertise, GPA โ‰ฅ 2.8, English proficiency
Application Deadline19 February 2025
Course Start DateSeptember 2025

Key Features of the JFUNU Scholarship

The JFUNU Scholarship offers several benefits to PhD candidates who meet the eligibility criteria:

FeatureDetails
Scholarship ValueMonthly allowance of 120,000 JPY (up to 36 months) for living expenses, plus tuition fee waiver.
Host InstitutionUnited Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS), Japan.
DurationMaximum of 36 months for the PhD program.
Eligible Study LevelPhD in Sustainability Science.
Tuition WaiverFull tuition fees are waived for scholarship recipients.
Application Deadline19 February 2025
Living Expenses120,000 JPY per month for living costs.
Travel/Insurance CostsTravel expenses to/from Japan, visa fees, and health/accident insurance must be covered by the student.
Automatic Scholarship ConsiderationNo separate application for the scholarship required. Automatically considered during admission selection.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet the following criteria to be considered for the scholarship:

CriteriaDetails
Educational BackgroundA completed Masterโ€™s degree or equivalent in a sustainability-related field.
OR Two completed Masterโ€™s degrees, with at least one in a sustainability-related discipline.
Professional ExperienceAt least 2 years of relevant professional experience in sustainability after obtaining a university degree.
Academic PerformanceMinimum GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent to 70% on a 100% scale).
English ProficiencyMinimum TOEFL PBT score of 600 or TOEFL IBT score of 100, or IELTS Academic score of 7.0.
CitizenshipMust be a citizen of a developing country listed in the OECD DAC list.
Financial NeedMust demonstrate a financial need.
Current StatusApplicants living in Japan under a working visa or already enrolled in another PhD program are ineligible.

Scholarship-Specific Eligibility

  1. Must be a citizen of a developing country listed in the OECD DAC list.
  2. Must demonstrate a clear financial need.
  3. Applicants living in Japan under a working visa or those already enrolled in a PhD program are ineligible.

Eligible Countries

Applicants must be citizens of developing countries as per the OECD DAC list. This includes countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. For the most updated list, refer to the OECD DAC List.

Application Process

Here is how you can apply for the JFUNU Scholarship:

  1. Online Application: Complete the online admission application form via the UNU-IAS website.
  2. Automatic Scholarship Consideration: Outstanding applicants will automatically be considered for the scholarship during the admission selection process. No separate application is required for the scholarship.
  3. Supporting Documents: Proof of academic qualifications, English proficiency, and professional experience.
  4. Application Deadline: 19 February 2025
  5. Course Start Date: September 2025

Important Notes

  • Recipients are responsible for covering travel, visa handling, and health/accident insurance costs.
  • The scholarship is highly competitive, so applicants should ensure their applications are thorough and well-prepared.
  • For detailed application guidelines, visit the official UNU-IAS PhD Program in Sustainability Science page.

The JFUNU Scholarship for PhD in Sustainability Science is a remarkable opportunity for scholars from developing countries to contribute to global sustainability research. By offering financial support and tuition, UNU-IAS aims to nurture future leaders committed to addressing critical environmental, social, and economic challenges.

Apply today to take your career in sustainability to new heights.


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