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The UNIDIR Graduate Professional Programme pays a stipend of USD 1,500 a month for a six-month placement in Geneva with the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research, and it can be extended. So it is a paid role, not a scholarship. It is open to you if you are studying for a master’s degree or higher, or if you finished one within the past year.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Host country | Switzerland (Geneva) |
| Provider | UN Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) |
| Type | Paid graduate placement |
| Pay | USD 1,500 per month |
| Length | 6 months, extension possible |
| Who can apply | Master’s students or higher, or graduates from the past year |
| Fee | None |
| Deadline | 16 September 2026, midnight Geneva time |
What is the UNIDIR Graduate Professional Programme?
UNIDIR is the part of the United Nations that studies peace, security, and disarmament. It sits in Geneva, and because its research feeds straight into talks between governments, the work reaches real decisions.
The Graduate Professional Programme gives a young graduate a real seat inside that work. In this round, the placement supports the team that looks at gender and disarmament. So for six months you would help with research, writing, and communication, and you would earn a monthly stipend while you learn how a UN institute runs from the inside.
Still, this is not a degree scholarship. It is a paid role for someone near the end of their studies, or just past them, who wants UN experience on their record.
What you get
- A stipend of USD 1,500 every month.
- Six months of real work inside a UN research institute, with the chance of an extension.
- Experience and contacts in Geneva, one of the main homes of UN work.
Be clear-eyed about the money, though. The USD 1,500 is a stipend to live on in Geneva, and Geneva is an expensive city. So it is not a salary, and it does not cover a flight or housing on top. Work out your own costs before you say yes.
Who can apply
- You are enrolled in a master’s degree or higher, or you graduated within the past year.
- You are fluent in English, spoken and written.
- You can work with Microsoft Office, Canva, and InDesign.
- You have a real interest in disarmament, gender issues, and UN work.
- Preference goes to people with a postgraduate degree in international relations, political science, international law, or gender studies.
Is there an age limit?
UNIDIR sets no age limit. What matters instead is your study stage: you are in a master’s or higher now, or you finished one in the last year. So if that is you, your age is not the question.
Do I need IELTS or TOEFL?
No. UNIDIR does not ask for an IELTS or TOEFL score here. But you must be genuinely fluent in English, because the whole role runs in it, from research to writing. Only apply if you can write clearly in English on your own.
Can I apply if I only just graduated?
Yes. If you finished your master’s within the past year, you can apply. You do not have to still be a student. This is one of the few UN placements that is open to fresh graduates, so if that is you, do not talk yourself out of it.
Do I need work experience?
Formal work experience is not the main test here. Instead, your studies, your skills, and your interest in the field carry real weight. So if you have done research, writing, or design work, even for a class or a student group, name it.
What you need to apply
- A cover letter.
- Your Personal History Profile from the UN Inspira system, saved as a PDF.
- Your answers to five screening questions. Each answer is short, up to 250 characters, so every word counts.
How to apply, step by step
- Check you fit. You are in a master’s or higher, or you graduated in the last year, and your English is strong.
- Fill in your Personal History Profile on the UN Inspira system and save it as a PDF.
- Write your cover letter and your five short screening answers. Keep each answer tight and honest.
- Email everything to unidir.recruitment@un.org with the exact subject line: UNIDIR GPP – IntApp (Geneva).
- Send it before the deadline. Do not wait for the last hour.
How they choose
First, UNIDIR reads the applications, shortlists, and usually speaks with the strongest people before deciding. So your cover letter and your five short answers are where you win or lose this. Say plainly why disarmament and gender work matters to you, and point to something real you have done, even if it is small.
Deadline
Applications close on 16 September 2026, at midnight Geneva time.
This one is close, so if you want it, start today. Open the Inspira system now, because the Personal History Profile takes the longest to fill in. UNIDIR posts these graduate placements often, so keep an eye on the site and we will flag the next one.
Thinking of applying but not sure your background fits? Drop your field of study in the comments and we will tell you straight.
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