The United Nations University – Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (UNU-MERIT) is a research and training institute of the United Nations University (UNU) which collaborates closely with Maastricht University.
UNU-MERIT advances research, education, and knowledge mobilisation to support inclusive and sustainable development. Our work examines how economic, technological, social, and institutional change shapes development outcomes, with a particular focus on innovation, public policy, and governance. Our research addresses a range of interconnected global challenges, including climate action, digital transformation, poverty and inequality, migration and population dynamics, social protection, human development, the future of work, and the economics and governance of innovation. Through both disciplinary and multidisciplinary approaches, we seek to generate evidence that informs public policy and contributes to sustainable development.
UNU-MERIT also hosts a vibrant Graduate School, with around 80 PhD candidates, both full-time and part-time, approximately 100 Master's students, and numerous participants in our capacity-development programmes delivered in Maastricht and across the Global South. Through our research, education, and training activities, we aim to contribute to academic knowledge while supporting policymakers and practitioners in addressing complex development challenges.