UNFCCC – UNU Early Career Climate Fellowship Programme 2026 in Germany

If you are an early-career researcher or graduate from a developing country passionate about climate policy and research, the UNFCCC – UNU Early Career Climate Fellowship Programme 2026 offers a unique pathway to deepen your skills, work directly at the intersection of international policy and science, and build your global network in Bonn, Germany. Applications typically open in October—get ready to apply!

🌎 Fellowship Summary

• Location: Bonn, Germany

• Host Institutions: United Nations University (UNU-EHS / UNU-ViE) & UNFCCC Secretariat

• Type: Fellowship in international climate policy & research

• Target Group: Academically outstanding early-career graduates from developing countries

• Areas of Focus: Climate change, adaptation, mitigation, transparency, sustainable development, environment & human security, policy, communications, related disciplines

• Benefits: Fellowship contract under UNU’s Personnel Service Agreement, with stipend (approx. considered in past cycles) and support for living in Bonn.

• Duration: One year, with possibility of extension for a second year (subject to performance)

• Number of Fellowships: Up to 12 fellows per cohort

• Application Window: 1 October – 31 October 2025 (for the upcoming cycle)

• Eligible To: Graduates or final-term students from developing countries, aged ≤ 32 at time of application

🧭 Fellowship Overview

The UNFCCC – UNU Early Career Climate Fellowship Programme bridges the worlds of climate research and global climate policy. Fellows will be embedded in the UNFCCC Secretariat and UNU units, participating in substantive climate governance work, while contributing scientific, analytical input. The programme aims to build a cadre of globally aware, policy-literate climate professionals from developing countries.

Through this fellowship, participants will:

• Gain hands-on experience in policy processes of the UNFCCC (negotiations, reporting, intergovernmental support, transparency mechanisms).

• Engage in research aligned with UNU-EHS / UNU-ViE thematic areas (for example environment & human security, climate resilience).

• Collaborate across disciplines and cultures, develop networks among UN, academic, and policy stakeholders.

• Use this experience to contribute to climate action when they return to their home countries or move into global roles.

🎁 Benefits & Support

• A monthly stipend under a UNU contract (approx. ~EUR 2,329/month)

• Support for living in Bonn: assistance with accommodation, relocation guidance

• Opportunity to work full-time on climate policy / research projects with UNFCCC / UNU

• Access to UN geographies, meetings, research networks, and capacity building

• Mentorship, professional development, and exposure to global climate mechanisms

✅ Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the fellowship, applicants should satisfy all of the following:

1. Be from a developing country (often priority given to Least Developed Countries)

2. Be 32 years or younger at time of application

   • If dual nationality, one nationality must be from a Least Developed Country and the candidate should have lived there for at least six years

3. Be enrolled in their final term or have recently graduated with an advanced degree (master’s, doctorate, or equivalent) in fields relevant to climate / environment / policy / human security

4. Professional experience is not required, but up to two years of relevant experience (internships, research assistant, student positions) is acceptable and considered

5. Strong English fluency (written & spoken) is required; knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage

6. Demonstrated motivation to work in the interface between policy and research, plus intercultural / interdisciplinary interest & capacity

7. Competences aligned with UN values and behaviours: inclusion, integrity, humility, humanity, collaboration, adaptability, innovation, result orientation, learning & development

📝 Application Procedure

Stage 1: Application Submission

Applicants must submit a complete package during the open call (1–31 October) via the official UNU / UNFCCC recruitment portal.

Required documents include:

1. Cover Letter (max 1 page): Describe how your qualifications, experience and future goals align with the programme, and specify your preferred placements within UNU-EHS / UNU-ViE and UNFCCC Divisions / Programmes.

2. Curriculum Vitae (CV) (max 2 pages)

3. UNU Personal History Form (P11), duly completed and signed (do not substitute with generic CV)

4. Academic transcripts & degree certificates (all levels attained) combined in one PDF file

✍🏻 Stage 2: Shortlisting & Interview

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

• Interviews will typically be competency-based, possibly conducted via Zoom / telephone.

🔍 Stage 3: Selection & Contracting

• Successful candidates will be offered a fellowship under a UNU Personnel Service Agreement (PSA) contract.

• Fellows will commence work in Bonn, contributing to UNFCCC / UNU assignments in their chosen thematic areas.

🚀 Why You Should Apply

• Launch your career at the intersection of climate science and policy — few programmes offer this level of exposure to UNFCCC processes and research institutions.

• Strategic advantage for developing-country candidates, particularly women and those from least developed countries, to build global networks and credentials.

• Experience in real-world climate governance — drafting reports, contributing to negotiations, engaging with transparency and adaptation frameworks.

• Capacity building for long-term impact — bring back knowledge and connections to your home country for policymaking, academia, or civil society work.

• Professional growth in a multicultural, interdisciplinary environment, with guidance, mentoring, and exposure to global climate actors.

ℹ️ Extra Notes & Advice

• Check the official UNU and UNFCCC websites consistently for the official call document, updated eligibilities, and procedural details.

• Tailor your cover letter carefully — specifying your preferred placements helps align your strengths with organizational needs.

• Ensure your P11 form is complete—applications with incomplete forms are often outright rejected.

• Even if you have minimal work experience, emphasize your academic excellence, research projects, internships, volunteer work in climate / environment.

• If accepted, plan ahead for visa, relocation, housing, insurance in Germany (Bonn).

• Use the fellowship as a springboard: maintain connections, engage with networks, publish outputs, and leverage your time in Bonn into future opportunities.

🔗 Details & Apply

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