The Regional Academy on the United Nations (RAUN) is a non-profit international education program that brings together UN Organizations and outstanding Master and PhD students. As part of the seven-month-long program, students get the opportunity to conduct hands-on research projects for the Organizations and to attend lectures and interactive workshops in different countries given by experts and practitioners.

The program will start in October this year and participants will address the following theme: “Human security in a fragmented world and the age of emerging technologies”.

Date and Location:

• October 2026 - April 2027
• 2 online sessions and 2 in-person sessions in different cities

Application deadline: 24 May, 2026

Programme:

• Extra-curricular activity complementing university studies
• Open to Master and PhD students from all academic disciplines
• 7 months duration from October to April
• No tuition for participation, except for a minor service charge of 200 € (RAUN also offers scholarships for those students who are otherwise not able to finance their participation.)
• One theme of global relevance each year
• Topical policy research projects carried out by students in cooperation with UN
• 2 online sessions and 2 in-person sessions in different cities
• Additional side events during the academic year
• Forum for networking and academic exchange

Benefits:

• Gaining practical knowledge about the UN system and international cooperation
• Supporting the work of the UN in finding solutions to global challenges
• Learning from high-ranking UN & government officials
• Meeting like-minded peers and networking with practitioners
• Acquiring cultural awareness and understanding
• Improving research and presentation skills
• Developing strong interpersonal skills
• Publishing research projects
• Certificates of successful completion
• Additional performance certificates and awards
• … and many more

Applicants are required to fulfil the following criteria:

• By the time of application, be enrolled in a Master’s or PhD programme (from any academic field); or have graduated from a Master’s or PhD programme within the 12 months prior to the application date, calculated from the date of graduation;
• Have at least basic knowledge of, and interest in, the UN system and topics of the RAUN programme;
• Have a very good command of English (written and spoken), including the ability to write academic papers;
• Demonstrate the ability and willingness to work and learn in a multinational and multicultural group;
• Be between 21 and 35 years of age at the time of applying;
• Be able to combine the Academy’s program with their studies and other responsibilities;
• Be based in Europe;
• Be able to attend all sessions and invest sufficient time in research projects (on average, 3-5 hours per week).

For more information about the programme, visit the website HERE.