At UNU-CPR, research fellows are intellectual partners who strengthen the Centre’s analytical depth and policy reach. Fellows bring new thinking, specialized expertise and diverse institutional and regional perspectives that enrich research design, sharpen policy analysis and broaden the range of solutions considered.
UNU-CPR fellows benefit from:
- Proximity to the UN System through engagement with missions, agencies and intergovernmental processes
- Real policy impact through contributions to briefs and reports used by Member States and UN officials
- Direct Member State engagement across AI governance, peace operations, climate finance and institutional reform
- Access to diplomats, UN officials, think tanks and academic partners
- Longstanding partnership with the Executive Office of the Secretary-General on priority agendas
- Contributing leadership for the UN system through UNU-CPR's formal role representing UN University at the High-Level Committee on
- Programmes – the UN’s policy coherence and coordination platform
- Professional development through mentorship, policy writing and research communication
Fellows are embedded in research teams and contribute expertise across the policy cycle:
- Data collection: Participating in expert interviews across the UN system and in the field
- Research and analysis: Draft policy briefs, background papers and comparative analyses
- Policy engagement: Prepare briefing notes and support expert consultations
- Multilateral policy process support: Monitor negotiations and translate research into policy formats
Current Research Fellowship Programmes:
| Non-resident Senior Research Fellowship Programme: Non-resident senior fellows contribute subject-matter expertise, co-author publications, advise research teams and participate in thought leadership initiatives. The fellowship supports flexible, high-level collaboration and strengthens UNU-CPR’s analytical depth and global research networks while enabling fellows to maintain affiliations elsewhere. |
| Carlo Schmidt Programme (DAAD): Junior fellows work directly on research that informs UN policy processes in areas such as conflict prevention and sustaining peace. Fellows attend and report on UN meetings, draft policy papers and support dissemination and convenings – gaining direct exposure to the functioning of the multilateral system. The programme emphasizes applied research, professional writing and engagement with UN and diplomatic stakeholders. |
| Balsillie School of International Affairs: Seconded researchers contribute to joint projects on global governance and international financial architecture reform, including data collection, analysis and policy development. The collaboration combines academic research capacity with UNU-CPR’s policy expertise – supporting analytical products and stakeholder engagement linked to major multilateral reform discussions. |
| Columbia University SIPA: Graduate students undertake structured internships supporting ongoing peace and security policy research. Fellows draft briefs, conduct background research and support UN convenings while receiving supervision from UNU-CPR researchers and academic oversight from SIPA. The model integrates academic training with exposure to multilateral policy processes and policy-writing experience. |
| Northeastern University: Students participate in paid placements that combine academic requirements with hands-on policy research – supporting ongoing research, contributing to analytical outputs and assisting in policy events and knowledge dissemination. The programme supports students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. |
| Université de Montréal: Hosted researchers and students will contribute expertise across a range of areas such as global governance and peace and security. The programme is currently under development. |
| Centre for International Peace Operations (ZIF) Research Fellowship: Through its partnership with the ZIF, UNU-CPR hosts a fully seconded Research Fellow to support policy-oriented research on conflict prevention and sustaining peace. The fellow works full-time within UNU-CPR’s peace and security research pillar, contributing analysis on the effectiveness and future of UN peace operations, including mandate implementation challenges and preventive approaches. This collaboration strengthens evidence-based policy guidance for Member States and the UN system while building practitioner-research expertise in sustaining peace. |
| Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) Peacebuilding Liaison Officer: Under an agreement with FDFA, the Government of Switzerland seconds a specialist to UNU-CPR to support peacebuilding policy engagement and coordination. Based in Geneva, the Peacebuilding Liaison Officer strengthens policy connectivity between Geneva-based agencies and UN peacebuilding priorities, supports strategic engagement with the Peacebuilding Support Office and contributes research, policy briefs and stakeholder coordination. The programme enhances system-wide integration of peacebuilding objectives across humanitarian, development and human rights actors. |
| China Scholarship Council (CSC) Internship Programme: In partnership with the China Scholarship Council, UNU provides internship opportunities for young Chinese graduates to gain professional experience in policy research and UN institutional processes. Interns support research and programme activities while developing practical skills and international exposure, with scholarships covering travel, living costs and insurance. The programme strengthens global talent pipelines while enabling UNU-CPR to benefit from diverse perspectives and research support. |
Fellowship Programmes at a Glance:
| DURATION | Typically 6-12 months |
| LOCATION | UNU-CPR's New York and Geneva offices |
| OUTPUTS | Policy briefs, reports, events, multimedia products and stakeholder engagement |
| SUPERVISION | Senior UNU-CPR researchers |
Partnership inquiries:
Interested in partnering in a UNU-CPR research fellowship? Please contact comms-cpr@unu.edu.