The most popular ten United Nations university scholarships offered by the UN, OSCE, EU, the ASEAN region, and other international organizations are listed in this article.
Each year, numerous scholarships, financial aid packages, grants, and study allowances are made available worldwide to support students in pursuing their educational goals. International bodies such as the UN, OSCE, EU, and ASEAN present diverse opportunities, serving as valuable stepping stones for ambitious students, emerging professionals, and future leaders.
Both European and non-European students are welcome to apply and benefit from tuition-free programs offered by prestigious universities worldwide, spanning various fields of study.
Some programs are tailored to specific educational levels (such as training courses, bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD programs), while others target particular nationalities or academic disciplines.
United Nations University Scholarships
PHD Fellowship For Visiting Scholars
The Visiting PhD Fellowship, formerly known as the PhD Fellowship Programme, gives aspiring PhD candidates a chance to further their studies at a UN world-renowned academic institute.
Those accepted into the program have the chance to collaborate with researchers from various universities on mutually interesting topics and spend three consecutive months at UNU-WIDER. During their residency in Helsinki, fellows work on research papers, which may also be published in the WIDER Working Paper Series.
To qualify, applicants must be enrolled in a PhD program and demonstrate research capability. Successful candidates receive financial support, covering travel expenses, medical insurance, and a monthly stipend of EUR 1,600 for living expenses in Helsinki during the fellowship period.
The UNU Scholarship
The United Nations University (UNU) is an advanced educational institution comprised of the UNU Centre, numerous affiliated institutions, and collaborative programs with leading universities and research centers in UN Member States.
Scholarships are available for master’s and doctoral studies through various UN programs, each with its own tuition structure. Prospective students are encouraged to visit the official websites of specific programs for more information.
Exceptional academic achievers may qualify for financial aid in the form of tuition waivers and scholarships. As scholarships are limited, applicants should submit their requests to the admission office within the designated application period.
Fellowships For Women In Science By L’Oréal And UNESCO
UNESCO and the L’Oréal Corporate Foundation provide fellowships for young women researchers committed to addressing contemporary global issues in their research.
The program’s objective is to support and empower women by equipping them with resources and expertise to advance their scientific pursuits.
Annually, the L’Oréal – UNESCO collaboration offers 53 national and regional fellowship initiatives spanning 117 countries.
The OSCE Scholarship
Every year, the OSCE and UNODA host a training course for young professionals, offering guidance on conflict prevention, arms control, disarmament, and non-proliferation.
The program is tailored to enhance women’s involvement in policymaking in these fields, making it especially appealing for female applicants.
While the training is in-person, it is exclusively for women. For details on deadlines and how to apply, please refer to the OSCE website.
United Nations University Scholarships
The EMJMD Scholarship
The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree (EMJMD) is an internationally coordinated educational program offered through a collaboration among a consortium of global higher education institutions. Upon successful completion of the program, students will be awarded either a single joint degree or multiple degrees.
EMJMD requires students to pursue studies in at least two of the program countries, with the possibility of including study periods in partner countries if affiliated with partner institutions (refer to the official website for the list of institutions).
The program spans 60, 90, or 120 ECTS credits, depending on its duration, ranging from a minimum of 12 months to a maximum of 24 months. Applicants holding a bachelor’s degree from any recognized institution worldwide are eligible to apply at the Master’s level.
EMJMD provides scholarships funded by the EU to outstanding candidates.
The Directorate General Scholarship
The Directorate General is providing scholarships for students interested in pursuing careers as conference interpreters. Individuals from EU Member states and eligible candidate countries (Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, or Turkey) are encouraged to submit their applications.
The scholarship will cover the tuition fees for the academic year 2019-2020, up to a maximum of EUR 2,400, disbursed in a single installment.
Eligible candidates should hold a university degree or an equivalent qualification, or be in the final year of a qualifying program.
Certain exceptions to these criteria may apply, as detailed in the official announcement on the European Commission website.
Preference will be given to candidates with language combinations that align with the current and anticipated needs of DG Interpretation. The final selection of scholarship recipients will be made by the Bursaries Evaluation Committee in late October 2019.
The ASEAN Scholarships
These scholarships offer a unique opportunity for students to enhance their academic knowledge, expand their perspectives at one of these universities, and importantly, cultivate leadership, communication, and life skills.
Typically, the selection process includes a test, and successful candidates will proceed to an interview.
Those selected will receive the scholarship. Applicants can also choose to receive immediate notifications when relevant scholarships are open.
The SEED Scholarship
The Canada-ASEAN SEED program provides scholarships and educational opportunities, aiming to alleviate poverty in developing ASEAN countries and contribute to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Specifically, it targets SDG Goal 5 by promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls, and Goal 13 by addressing climate change and its effects.
These scholarships result from partnerships between Canadian and ASEAN institutions. To apply, students must be enrolled full-time at their home institution throughout their study or research in Canada.
Southeast Asian applicants should contact their home institution to express interest, check for existing collaborations with Canadian institutions, and obtain details on the application process and selection criteria.
The World Bank Scholarship Program
The World Bank Scholarships Program aims to enhance capacity development and foster economic progress by investing in education. Established in 1982, the program has provided training to over 6,000 seasoned development professionals from various countries.
Presently, it offers two funding opportunities for graduate studies in development-related fields aimed at mid-career professionals and researchers: the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJWBGSP) and the Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program (RSMFP).
Specific eligibility criteria are outlined in each application announcement, but generally, applicants must hail from a World Bank member developing country, not possess dual citizenship in any developed nation, maintain good health, and hold a Bachelor’s degree earned at least three years before the application Deadline.
The FTP Scholarship
Every year, the United Nations University presents the Fisheries Training Programme in Iceland, a six-month postgraduate course designed to enhance the skills of participants in the fisheries industry.
The program focuses on equipping FTP fellows with practical knowledge applicable in their respective organizations or countries of origin.
It includes a blend of lectures, field trips, and assignments. Upon completion, fellows are tasked with conducting research relevant to their work back home, in collaboration with a supervisor.
Former UNU-FTP fellows are eligible for scholarships to pursue graduate studies in fisheries at Icelandic universities.
Conclusion
These United Nations university scholarships allows aspiring international students to pursue their educational goals abroad without breaking the bank.
