United Nations/Japan establish Fellowship Programme on Nano-Satellite Technologies

The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs and the Government of Japan in cooperation with the Kyushu Institute of Technology (KIT) have established a United Nations/Japan Long-term Fellowship Programme on Nano-Satellite Technologies for nationals of developing countries or countries with economy in transition. The Programme will provide extensive research opportunities in nano-satellite systems through the use of the nano-satellite development and testing facilities available at KIT.

Every year this "Post-graduate study on Nano-Satellite Technologies (PNST)" Fellowship Programme will accept up to two students in the Masters course (2 years duration) and up to four students in the Doctorate course (3 years duration). Successful participants will be awarded a master or doctorate degree after successful thesis defence.

The selected applicants will each receive a grant under Japanese government (Mobukagakusho: MEXT) scholarship (Research Students) of about 145,000 yen per month for the duration of their fellowship study (2 or 3 years) to cover housing, food, local transportation, and other expenses (actual scholarship amount is subject to change). Each candidate will be provided, according to his/her itinerary and route as designated by MEXT, an economy class air ticket between an international airport in the country of his/her nationality and Narita International Airport or Fukuoka International Airport. Fees for matriculation, tuition and entrance examinations will be paid by KIT.

Applications for the Fellowship Programme will be accepted until 28 February 2013.

Applicants should:

  • Be nationals of developing countries or countries with economy in transition;
  • Be duly nominated by their institutions;
  • Born on or after 2 April 1978;
  • Candidates seeking a Master degree are expected to have completed studies ending with a Bachelor Degree or equivalent (4 years university degree) in engineering-related subjects.
  • Candidates seeking a Doctorate degree are expected to have completed studies ending with a Master Degree or equivalent (5 years university degree) in engineering-related subjects. Degrees in different technological fields can be considered by the Doctor Commission;
  • and Be able to make professional use of the experience gained in the fellowship programme.

The application forms and further information on the Fellowship Programme are available from the BSTI website at http://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/SAP/bsti/fellowship.html.