Deadline: March 5, 2026
Applications are open for the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) Youth for Biosecurity Fellowship 2026. Since its establishment as a Biosecurity Diplomacy Workshop in 2019, the programme has engaged over 140 young scientists through an innovative and engaging training course. Twenty (20) competitively selected young scientists from the Global South will take part in a series of interactive webinars prior to an in-person visit during the meeting of the BWC Working Group on the Strengthening of the Convention in Geneva in August 2026.
The Fellowship aims to provide an opportunity for emerging biosecurity leaders from the Global South to:
- Learn & Lead: Deepen your expertise on biosecurity and disarmament to build confidence and leadership.
- Think & Act: Discuss perspectives with senior experts and develop practical proposals to strengthen biosecurity.
- Engage & Connect: Network with young experts from across disciplines and regions within an international community
Programme Details
The Fellowship runs over a 3-month period and requires a minimal time commitment to accommodate fellows’ work or academic schedules. You must be available to attend and engage in all of the activities below:
- A series of five online webinars from 3 June to 1 July 2026, with approximately one session (two hours) per week. They will take place on Wednesdays, from 2pm (CET) except for the opening webinar at 3pm (CET).
- A collaborative scientific poster competition project to prepare in July 2026 and to be presented at the BWC Working Group on the Strengthening of the Convention in August 2026.
- A five-day in-person visit in Geneva from 17 to 21 August 2026 during the meetings of the BWC Working Group on the Strengthening of the Convention. Participants must participate in the visit in full.
Costs
- Travel tickets in economy class and a daily subsistence allowance will be provided to successful applicants for the official dates of the trip in line with UN rules and regulations.
- All successful applicants will be responsible for attaining any necessary travel documents to attend the in-person visit in Switzerland, including visas.
Eligibility
- Be under 35 years old at the time of applying,
- Be citizens of a BWC State Party listed as least developed country, low- or lower/upper middle-income country – Check if your country is in the Development Assistance Committee List of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
- Have an advanced degree in the life sciences or a related discipline from a recognized university or institution.
- Have proof of proficiency in written and spoken English to a level of B2 or higher (Global scale – Table 1 (CEFR 3.3): Common Reference levels – Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).), with a certificate of confirmation to be provided.
Application
Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. The selection process will be guided by the need to ensure the highest quality of participants while maintaining a gender and regional balance.
For more information, visit UNODA Youth for Biosecurity Fellowship.
