Apply Now for the 2026 jfUNU Scholarship to study for PhD in Sustainability Science programme at the United Nations University

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Closing Date: 11 February 2026

Apply Now for the 2026 jfUNU Scholarship to study for PhD in Sustainability Science programme at the United Nations University

The application period for the PhD in Sustainability Science programme will be closing soon. Don’t miss this opportunity to study in the heart of Tokyo at a global university within the UN system

PhD in Sustainability Science

A three-year programme with an innovative approach to sustainability issues and a global change perspective.

The Doctor of Philosophy in Sustainability Science Programme is a three-year programme that takes an innovative approach to sustainability, seeking to promote a better understanding of the issues by incorporating global change perspectives.

This programme will equip graduates with comprehensive, multidisciplinary knowledge of sustainability problems, and deepen their understanding of the role of environmental sustainability in addressing current issues related to global change, specifically those related to climate change and biodiversity. Students undertake problem-oriented research by playing an active role in UNU-IAS research projects, and acquire the quantitative and qualitative analytical skills necessary to understand the underlying principles of various systems involved in sustainability issues and debates.

Students can select courses from those offered by UNU-IAS, while also enjoying the opportunity to take courses at other leading universities in Japan such as the University of Tokyo, Sophia University and International Christian University.

Programme Structure & Language

The programme is offered on a full-time basis only. The academic year starts in September. The standard period to complete the degree requirements is 36 months or six academic semesters, excluding time spent on study leave of absence from the university. By July of their third-year students are expected to complete all of the course requirements, obtaining at least 14 credits and completing a doctoral dissertation.

The language of instruction is English.

Admission Requirements

Applicants for the PhD in Sustainability Science are required to have met the following requirements by the application deadline in order to be considered:

1.  A completed master’s degree (or equivalent) from a recognized university or institution of higher education in a field related to sustainability and a minimum of two years of professional field experience related to UNU-IAS research themes which was acquired after obtaining a university degree (full time equivalent);

Two completed master’s degrees, at least one of which must be in a discipline related to sustainability studies (those who expect to receive a second master’s degree before the entrance period of September 2026 may also apply);

2.  A GPA of 2.8 or above on a 4.0 scale (equivalent to 70% on a 100 % scale) for at least one of the master’s degrees earned; and

3.  English language proficiency.

The minimum score requirements for English language qualifications required by UNU-IAS are:

600 on TOEFL – Paper-Based Testing (PBT) OR
100 on TOEFL – Internet-Based Testing (IBT)** OR
7.0 on IELTS – Academic format

Applicants meeting below criteria may submit a substitute document for the English language proficiency score:

Applicants who have studied for at least two consecutive years in a degree-granting university programme taught entirely in English may submit substitute document for the English language proficiency score. If this is your case, you must provide a certificate from your university stating that English is/was your unique language of instruction. An original of the certificate must be submitted directly to UNU-IAS by 27 February 2026.

How to Apply

Please refer to the PhD Application Guidelines for detailed instructions on how to apply. 

Courses

The curriculum is reviewed on a yearly basis and the course offerings may not be identical to the ones listed below.

Overview Courses (Compulsory)

Trans-disciplinary Graduate Research Seminar I & II
Sustainability Science Research Seminar I & II

Elective Courses

The United Nations System and Sustainable Development*
Global Change and Planetary Boundaries*
Principles of International Development Project*
Water Resources Systems
Education for Sustainable Development: From Global Agendas to Local Actions
Understanding the Mechanism to Implement the Paris Agreement to the UNFCCC
Enhanced Climate Action through High Integrity Carbon Markets: Practicum on the Implementation of the Paris Agreement Article 6 **
The Law and Practice of the United Nations
Climate Justice and the Right to Education
Remote Sensing, Geographical Information Systems and Analysis: Theory and Application
Environmental Statistics and Research Methods
Studies of Socio-Ecological Production Landscapes and Seascapes
From SDGs to Climate Change: Integrating SDGs into Climate Change Actions
Climate Change Mitigation through the Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) of Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Practicum on the Implementation of the Paris Agreement **

Japan Foundation for UNU (jfUNU) Scholarship

The scholarship is competitive and may be awarded to eligible students who have been accepted for enrolment in the PhD programme. There is no separate application form for the scholarship as it is part of the main online application form for admission. Interested applicants must provide the necessary information and documents when applying to the PhD programme.

Coverage

The jfUNU scholarship provides a monthly allowance of 120,000 JPY as a support package for a maximum of 36 months. The tuition fees may be waived for scholarship recipients.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

Applicants must be from ODA recipient countries * who can demonstrate a need for financial assistance.
Applicants who are currently living in Japan under a working visa are not eligible for the scholarship.
Applicants who are already enrolled in other PhD programmes are not eligible. This includes those who have already obtained a PhD degree at an institution other than UNU-IAS.

*ODA recipients are included the latest  OECD DAC list.

Additional Requirements

Recipients of the jfUNU Scholarship are required to write a short essay on their learning and experiences at UNU to be submitted to the donor organization. Before graduation, each recipient is requested to submit a note of appreciation to the donors with reflections on their future plans.
Recipients agree to foster collaboration with jfUNU through participating in jfUNU activities, events and other opportunities offered to the student body.