The programme – named after the late Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi who was known for his commitment to development issues – offers a total of 20 fellowships to researchers active in one of four fields: the environment, inter-cultural dialogue, information and communication technology, and peaceful conflict resolution. This is the sixth year running that Japan has awarded these grants.

In a series of letters, Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura has called on all of UNESCO’s National Commissions, delegations and field offices to invite potential candidates to apply for the fellowships, through their National Commission. Applications must reach UNESCO Headquarters in Paris before January 13, 2006.

Researchers under 40 years of age may submit their applications to their country’s National Commission for UNESCO, which will select a maximum of two candidates. A special selection committee of experts in the four research fields concerned will review the applications in order to make proposals to the Director-General.