24 September 2026

Three young researchers from Mongolia, the Republic of Korea, and the Russian Federation completed the Fellowship for Building Leadership in Atmospheric Environment and Air Quality Management in East Asia (Fellowship Program 2026), jointly implemented by Fudan University in Shanghai, China and the Network Center (NC) for the EANET, in Niigata, Japan. From July to August 2026, the fellows took part in an intensive programme of research, academic exchange, site visits, and international collaboration in China and Japan, aimed at strengthening scientific capacity and leadership in air quality management across the region.

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Three Researchers Selected for Fellowship Program 2026

Following a competitive selection process, three researchers were selected from 13 applicants from seven EANET Participating Countries.

The selected research topics were:

• Mongolia: Integrating Air Quality Co-benefits into Mongolia’s NDC 3.0 Planning and Reporting: A PM₂.₅-Centered MRV Roadmap for Ulaanbaatar Clean Heating and Building Insulation
• Republic of Korea: Spatial Distribution and Source Characterization of Ambient VOCs in East Asian Urban Areas Using Passive Samplers: Observations in Ulaanbaatar and Saitama for Ozone and PM Formation Assessment
• Russian Federation: Adaptation and Preliminary Testing of the Active Ozone Collection Method in Russian Climate Conditions

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Research Activities at Fudan University

From 6 to 24 July 2026, the fellows participated in a three-week intensive research programme at Fudan University in Shanghai, China. During their stay, they joined the 2026 International Summer School Program on Climate Change and Related Risks: Climate Change, Cities and Anthropogenic Impacts, which brought together experts and young researchers to examine emerging challenges and solutions related to climate change.

The programme covered a broad range of topics, including climate change and urban climate effects, extreme weather events and their impacts, atmospheric environment and eco-health impacts, and AI-enabled sustainable development and climate resilience.

In addition to attending lectures and academic sessions, the fellows worked closely with supervisors from Fudan University to refine their research projects and strengthen international research networks. Site visits were also organized, providing practical insights into environmental research and management practices.

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Research Activities at the Network Center for the EANET

Following the programme in Shanghai, the fellows continued their fellowship at the Network Center for the EANET (NC) in Niigata, Japan, from 27 July to 21 August 2026. During this four-week period, they conducted intensive research under the guidance of experts from the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP) and collaborated closely with their supervisors. The programme also provided opportunities to engage with environmental research institutions and practitioners working in the fields of atmospheric environment and air quality management.

On 30 July 2026, the three fellows presented their research plans and preliminary findings at ACAP, followed by an interactive discussion with supervisors and experts from the NC.

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Site Visits in Japan

As part of the fellowship programme, all fellows participated in a study visit to the Japan Environmental Sanitation Center (JESC) and Shimadzu Tokyo Innovation Plaza on 3 August 2026. The visit included research presentations by the fellows, discussions with experts, laboratory tours, and exchanges of knowledge on environmental monitoring and analytical technologies.

In addition, the Mongolian fellow visited the Overseas Environmental Cooperation Center (OECC) and the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) on 6 and 7 August 2026. Through discussions with experts from both organizations, the fellow gained insights into climate policy development, air pollution co-benefits, international environmental cooperation, and sustainable development initiatives that may support future implementation of research outcomes in Mongolia.

The fellow from the Republic of Korea visited the Center for Environmental Science in Saitama (CESS) on 18 August 2026. The visit provided an opportunity to learn about local air quality monitoring activities, research facilities, and analytical approaches related to atmospheric pollutants, further supporting research on volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

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Looking Ahead

On 21 August 2026, the Fellowship Program concluded with a special discussion session on the future development of EANET and the potential contributions of young researchers to regional environmental cooperation. The session provided an opportunity for participants to exchange views on emerging environmental challenges and explore ways to enhance the scientific and policy relevance of EANET.

The programme concluded with closing remarks delivered by Ms. Siwaporn Rungsiyanon, Deputy Director General of ACAP.

The Fellowship Program aims to develop the next generation of leaders in atmospheric environment and air quality management in East Asia through a combination of academic research, international collaboration, practical training, and engagement with environmental organizations. Through the partnership between the EANET and Fudan University, the programme strengthens individual research capacity while promoting long-term regional cooperation to address atmospheric environment and air quality challenges across Asia.

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This project 2026-02 Fellowship for building leadership in Atmospheric Environment and Air Quality Management in East Asia received support from the EANET Project Fund.

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View all the Fellowship’s photos on Flickr.

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Photo credits: cover photo Shanghai, China by Hoang Tran (2023); all other photos: all rights reserved to the NC for the EANET.