Fellowship | EANET Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia

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.

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

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

View all the Fellowship’s photos on Flickr.

21 August 2024, Bangkok, Thailand

On August 9, 2024, the EANET successfully concluded its Fellowship Program with a closing session held both in-person at Fudan University, in Shanghai, and online. The event marked the culmination of months of dedicated research and collaboration aimed at advancing air quality management and atmospheric science across the East Asian region.

About the Fellowship

The Fellowship for Building Leadership in Atmospheric Environment and Air Quality Management in East Asia is a program organized by the Network Center for the EANET, hosted by the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP), in collaboration with Fudan University (FDU), in Shanghai, China, and Clean Air Asia (CAA). It aims to strengthen the research capacity of young government officers and researchers in the Participating Countries, particularly in developing countries. It seeks to promote research and scientific policy-making while developing leadership skills among EANET participants. The program encourages interdisciplinary research and enhances cooperation between academia and government to address complex challenges in the atmospheric environment in the EANET region. Additionally, it provides a platform for the next generation of researchers and government officials to engage in integrated discussions and reflections, preparing them to manage EANET in the future.

Open to participants from the 13 EANET Participating Countries, the program was held for six months in 2024 including two alternate on-site research sessions at Fudan University in Shanghai, China, and the Network Center for the EANET in Niigata, Japan, from July 15 to August 9, 2024. Five participants were selected, engaging in monthly online meetings and intensive on-site training from July 15 to August 9, 2024, with progress reporting and discussions with designated supervisors in both China and Japan.

On-site Sessions in Japan and China

The on-site session started in Japan from July 15 to July 27, 2024, followed by China from July 28 to August 10, 2024.

In Japan, the first day started with the fellows’ introduction to the Research Plan & Progress Report, conducted both in-person at the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP) headquarters in Niigata, Japan, and online. The Opening Session was moderated by Dr. Ken Yamashita, Head of the Planning and Training Department, and the Opening Remarks were delivered by Dr. Toshimasa Ohara, Director General of ACAP, Mr. Bert Fabian, Coordinator, Secretariat for the EANET, Prof. Xu Tang, Executive Director of IRDR International Center of Excellence on Risk Interconnectivity and Governance on Weather/Climate Extremes Impact and Public Health at Fudan University (FDU-IRDR ICoE-RIG-WECEIPHE), and Dr. FU Lu, the China Director of Clean Air Asia. The speakers expressed their hopes that the fellows’ research would contribute to creating cleaner air across East Asia and that this program would serve as a strong foundation for international collaborative research. Supervisors from the Network Center for the EANET (NC) and research fellows discussed their research studies intensively at the NC for 2 weeks. During the program, Dr. Hajime Akimoto, Emeritus Research Fellow of the National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES) and Science Advisor of ACAP, delivered a lecture titled “Past and Present Challenges to Atmospheric Environmental Chemistry,” sharing scientific insights related to the expansion of EANET’s scope. Additionally, discussions were held with supervisors and researchers from ACAP about EANET’s future development & fellows’ contributions.

In China, the on-site session was organized by the IRDR ICoE-RIG-WECEIPHE and MAP-AQ Aisan Office Shanghai, Fudan University. The fellows participated in the International Summer School Program on Climate Change and Related Risks held at Fudan University’s Jiangwan campus and joined discussions, under the supervision of FDU. The program featured lectures by several internationally acclaimed scholars and leaders in their respective fields. Additionally, the fellows visited the greenhouse gas lab and atmospheric chemistry lab of the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, FDU, the Shanghai Environmental Monitoring Center, and the relevant facilities related to air quality management. Fudan University also gifted souvenirs and cultural shirts with the logo of this year’s training course to the fellows and organizers.

Highlights of Fellows’ Presentations

The session featured five fellows, each presenting their research projects, which covered a broad spectrum of atmospheric and environmental studies.

Indonesia: The fellow, from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), presented his study on the impact of anabatic and katabatic winds on the dispersion and concentration of PM2.5 in Bandung Basin, utilizing the WRF-Chem Model.
Malaysia: The fellow, from the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MMD), focused on the long-term trends of acid deposition in Malaysia and the corresponding impacts of forest fires.
Myanmar: The fellow, a Staff Officer at Myanmar’s Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH), provided an overview of air quality in Yangon, highlighting significant challenges and potential solutions.
The Philippines: The fellow, from the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), Department of Environment and Natural Resources, discussed her research on determining potential EANET monitoring sites based on sulfur dioxide emissions in the northern region – Northeastern Pangasinan.
Russia: The fellow, from the Yu.A. Izrael Institute of Global Climate and Ecology (IGCE), shared her findings on acidifying compounds runoff discharge and its variations at the Pereemnaya River, Baikal Lake Region.

Following the presentations, participants provided feedback and comments that underscored the importance of such collaborative research efforts. Supervisors from FDU and ACAP, along with other participants, offered their insights, fostering a rich exchange of knowledge and ideas.

The fellows with their completion certificates

Closing Remarks and Future Prospects

The event, moderated by Prof. Xu Tang, concluded with remarks from Prof. Meng Fan, the Deputy Director General, Asia Center for Air Pollution Research, from Mr. Bert Fabian, Coordinator, the Secretariat for the EANET, from Prof. Renhe Zhang, Former Vice President of Fudan University, and Dr. Wei Wan, China Program Director, Clean Air Asia. In their remarks, the speakers commended the fellows for their exceptional work and encouraged continued collaboration. The session highlighted the significant strides made through the program in building leadership in air quality management in East Asia, setting a strong foundation for future initiatives.

The Closing Session concluded with Professor Renhe Zhang, Former Vice President of Fudan University, Dean, the Institute of Atmospheric Science (IAS), FDU Director, FDU/IRDR International Center of Excellence, and WMO/IGAC MAP-AQ Asian Office in Fudan University, presenting the completion certificates to the fellows on behalf of the program organizers.

The Fellowship for Building Leadership in Atmospheric Environment and Air Quality Management in East Asia program has been approved at the Twenty-fifth Session of the Intergovernmental Meeting (IG25) on the EANET, as a Project Activity, co-funded by the EANET Project Fund, Fudan University, and Clean Air Asia.

View the photos on Flickr.

Tag: Fellowship

Fellowship Program 2026 Advances Research and Leadership in Atmospheric Environment and Air Quality Management