United Nations Scholarships 2026: Funding Opportunities for Students, Researchers and Future Global Leaders
United Nations highlights a range of scholarship, fellowship, grant, and research funding opportunities designed to support students, researchers, and professionals from Least Developed Countries (LDCs). These programmes help build academic expertise, scientific capacity, and international careers across fields such as climate change, biotechnology, sustainable development, engineering, law, and public policy.
Many of these opportunities are offered through United Nations agencies and partner organizations, with some specifically reserved for nationals of Least Developed Countries (LDCs).
About UN Scholarship Opportunities
The United Nations promotes access to education and research funding through various international scholarship programmes. These opportunities support:
- Graduate studies
- PhD programmes
- Postdoctoral research
- Scientific research
- International academic exchange
- Capacity building
- Professional development
Many programmes are offered periodically and depend on the availability of funding.
Featured UN Scholarship Opportunities
IPCC Scholarship Programme
The IPCC Scholarship Programme supports young scientists from developing countries conducting research related to climate change.
Priority is given to applicants from:
- Least Developed Countries (LDCs)
- Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
- Students studying outside their home countries
UNESCO Fellowship Programmes
UNESCO offers numerous fellowship opportunities for nationals of developing countries, with several programmes giving priority to applicants from Least Developed Countries.
These fellowships support research, higher education, professional training, and international collaboration across UNESCO’s priority areas.
TWAS Scholarship and Fellowship Programmes
Several programmes are available through The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), including:
TWAS-SIDA PhD Scholarships
Supports PhD students from Least Developed Countries conducting climate-related research.
TWAS-Samira Omar Innovation for Sustainability Award
- Recognizes scientists from Least Developed Countries
- Includes a USD 4,000 cash award
TWAS-Abdool Karim Award in Biological Sciences
Supports women scientists from African Least Developed Countries.
- USD 5,000 cash award
TWAS-IsDB Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme
Supports early-career researchers from Least Developed Country member states of the Islamic Development Bank conducting Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)-related research.
TWAS-FAPESP Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme
Provides postdoctoral research opportunities for researchers from Least Developed Countries in:
- Natural sciences
- Applied sciences
- Social sciences
Research is conducted at host institutions in São Paulo, Brazil.
Research Professors Programme
The TWAS Research Professors Programme enables institutions located in Least Developed Countries to host TWAS members for long-term collaboration, research, and advanced scientific training over a five-year period.
PACTs Programme
The Programme of Collaborations with Least Developed Countries (PACTs), implemented by the UN Technology Bank, TWAS, and ICGEB, provides:
- Up to six-month international research visits
- Biotechnology and biomedical research
- Agricultural research
- Biotechnology policy training
Host laboratories are located in:
- Italy
- India
- South Africa
Applicants must generally be early-career scientists aged 45 or younger.
International Design Education Scholarship
The International Design Education (IDE) Programme offers scholarships for students from Least Developed Countries pursuing a Master’s degree in Industrial Design Engineering at Zhejiang University.
OWSD Fellowship Programme
The Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) provides fellowships for female students from Least Developed Countries pursuing postgraduate studies leading to a PhD outside their home countries.
UC Berkeley Law School LDC Scholarship
Nationals of Least Developed Countries may qualify for a scholarship covering half of the tuition fees for selected LL.M. programmes at the University of California Berkeley Law School.
Additional Educational Resources
The United Nations also highlights several educational initiatives, including:
- Research4Life access to scientific journals and research databases
- Least Developed Countries Universities Consortium on Climate Change (LUCCC)
- Ongoing initiatives to expand online graduate STEM education for Least Developed Countries
Who Can Apply?
Eligibility varies depending on the programme. Opportunities may be available to:
- Undergraduate students
- Master’s students
- PhD candidates
- Postdoctoral researchers
- Young scientists
- Early-career professionals
- Women researchers
- Researchers from Least Developed Countries
Some programmes are exclusively reserved for nationals of Least Developed Countries, while others prioritize their applications.
Why Apply?
These United Nations-supported scholarship and fellowship opportunities help participants gain international education, strengthen research capacity, develop professional expertise, and contribute to sustainable development within their home countries and globally.
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