Deadline: October 31, 2025
Applications are open for the UNFCCC – UNU Early Career Climate Fellowship Programme 2026. The UNFCCC – UNU Early Career Climate Fellowship Programme offers young people from developing countries a unique opportunity to start their career at the interface between international climate policy development and research. Academically outstanding young graduates from developing countries who are in the early stages of their career are encouraged to apply. Priority will be given to women, amongst whom those from Least Developed Countries will be given the highest priority.
Fellowships will last for one year, with the possibility of an extension of one further year, subject to satisfactory performance. Fellows will be selected based on their skills and backgrounds vis-à-vis the respective purviews and foci of UNU-EHS/VIE and UNFCCC. Upon completion of the UNFCCC – UNU Early Career Climate Fellowship Programme, the Early Career Climate Fellows will be able to work in their home countries or internationally, deploying the valuable experience and insights they have gained in Bonn.
Eligibility
- Applicants must originate from a developing country and be 32 years or younger at the time of application. In the case of applicants holding dual nationality, in order to be eligible to apply, one nationality must correspond to a least developed country, and the candidate must have lived in the least developed country for a minimum of six (6) years.
- In addition, applicants must be enrolled in their final term or have graduated from an advanced university degree (master’s, doctorate, or equivalent), with top marks in fields relevant to the work of UNU-EHS/VIE and UNFCCC.
- Fluency in spoken and written English is required. Proven engagement in related extracurricular activities is an asset.
- No professional experience is required, but candidates with up to, but not exceeding, two years of relevant professional experience can be considered (this includes experience acquired within the framework of, amongst others, internships, student assistant positions, research assistant positions and similar, be it full-time or part-time). All work experience acquired to date will be considered in reviewing a candidate’s eligibility for the programme.
Application
A complete application package consists of the following mandatory documents:
- A cover letter (maximum 1 page in length) setting out how the qualifications, experience and future career goals match the requirements of the programme and preferred working areas at UNU-EHS/VIE and UNFCCC;
- An up-to-date CV (maximum 2 pages in length);
- A completed and signed UNU Personal History Form (P11); and
- Copies of all academic transcripts/degree certificates to date saved in one PDF file.
For more information, visit UNFCCC – UNU Early Career Climate Fellowship.
