Participants selected for the UNU Junior Fellows Internship Programme receive a monthly stipend intended to help cover basic living expenses during the internship period. For fellows based in Tokyo, the stipend also includes a transportation allowance to support daily commuting to the UNU headquarters. Interns are entitled to approximately 1.5 days of leave per month and are granted access to UNU facilities, including office resources and, where available, libraries and other institutional amenities.

Beyond financial support, the programme offers substantial professional benefits. Junior Fellows gain hands-on experience working within a UN institution, develop practical skills in research, policy support, administration, and event coordination, and have opportunities to attend UNU seminars, lectures, and conferences. This exposure significantly strengthens participants’ professional profiles and prepares them for future careers in international organizations, academia, or public policy.

Applicants for the UNU Junior Fellows Internship Programme must demonstrate a strong academic background and a clear interest in the work of the United Nations. Candidates should either be currently enrolled in a postgraduate programme at the Master’s or PhD level, or have completed their postgraduate studies within the last two years. This requirement ensures that interns possess the academic maturity and analytical capacity necessary to contribute meaningfully to UNU’s research and administrative work.

In addition, applicants must be under the age of 32 at the time of application and should not have more than five years of relevant professional work experience. The programme is specifically targeted at early-career professionals who are still building their careers and seeking exposure to international organizations. Strong written and spoken English skills are essential, as English is the primary working language of UNU. Applicants are also expected to have excellent research, writing, communication, and computer skills, particularly in standard office software, as well as the ability to work effectively in a multicultural and international environment.

The UNU Junior Fellows Internship Programme is open to applicants from all countries. United Nations University strongly encourages applications from candidates of diverse nationalities and backgrounds, with particular emphasis on achieving geographical balance and inclusion of applicants from developing countries. There are no nationality restrictions, making this opportunity globally accessible to qualified graduates and young professionals worldwide.

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