The main purpose of this project is to help train young Japanese scholars in Central Asian studies. To this end, the UNU awards "Akino Memorial Research Fellowships" to young Japanese scholars under the broad theme of "Peace and Environment in Central Asia." Ph.D. candidates or post-doctoral fellows who plan to conduct field research on the political, economic and social factors affecting the prospects of peace and stability in Central Asian countries, or on environmental issues peculiar to the region, are invited to apply. Further information and application forms are available from the UNU website: http://archive.unu.edu/akino/announce.html. The deadline for application is 31 October 2001.

The Akino Research Fellowship Selection Committee will review the applications with particular emphasis on their academic quality, relevance to the overall theme of the programme, originality, and suitability of the proposed work schedule. Based on the recommendations of the Akino Research Fellowship Selection Committee, the UNU will award up to five scholarships of a maximum of Japanese yen 1.2 million each for the field research components of the proposed research projects. Successful candidates will be notified in mid-December.

The 2002 UNU-Akino Memorial Research Fellows will start their field research in Central Asia soon after an introductory seminar in January 2002. In addition to submitting written reports on the progress of their research projects, Akino Research Fellows are expected to contribute to research seminars on Central Asia organized by the UNU, which will give them an opportunity to present and discuss their research results with experts from Japan and abroad.