Internship for postgraduate students/recent graduatesA monthly stipend partially subsidizes basic living costs, including commuting, if the intern is not receiving other internship financial support. Academic-study scholarships are expressly excluded from this disqualifying-support category. Amount is duty-station/rate dependent and not numerically specified in the call; part-time arrangements are prorated.

UNU Junior Fellows Internship Programme

Last verified 21 October 2026 by the Scholarships for Africans editorial team

A monthly stipend partially subsidizes basic living costs, including commuting, if the intern is not receiving other internship financial support. Academic-study scholarships are expressly excluded from this disqualifying-support category. Amount is duty-station/rate dependent and not numerically specified in the call; part-time arrangements are prorated. Open; eligibility and application conditions apply.

Provider: United Nations University, Office of the Rector
Host country: Japan
Deadline: November 1, 2026 at 23:59 JST (14:59 UTC).
Region: Asia

Official source Track this application

Topics

Internships

Applying from your country? See your edition: Kenya · Nigeria · Ghana · Ethiopia · Uganda · Tanzania · Rwanda · Angola · Mozambique · São Tomé & Príncipe · Senegal · Cameroon · Ivory Coast · Benin · Togo · DR Congo

Eligibility & requirements at a glance

Review the recorded eligibility, funding and deadline information below. Confirm the current award conditions on the provider's official source.

Who can apply: Currently enrolled in master’s/doctoral study or completed such study within two years of application; at most 32 years old at application; no more than five years of relevant work experience; native/fluent English and strong research, writing, analytical and computer skills. Interest in UNU/UN work. All African nationalities are included by the current call’s nationality-neutral invitation; developing-country applications are encouraged. Applicants already in Japan and overseas are both considered. Nationality and residence do not bar application under this call, but every applicant must meet the postgraduate, age, experience, language and selection requirements. Overseas selection does not itself grant Japanese immigration permission.
Funding: A monthly stipend partially subsidizes basic living costs, including commuting, if the intern is not receiving other internship financial support. Academic-study scholarships are expressly excluded from this disqualifying-support category. Amount is duty-station/rate dependent and not numerically specified in the call; part-time arrangements are prorated.
Study level: Internship for postgraduate students/recent graduates
Deadline: November 1, 2026 at 23:59 JST (14:59 UTC).

Key eligibility criteria

Currently enrolled in master’s/doctoral study or completed such study within two years of application; at most 32 years old at application; no more than five years of relevant work experience; native/fluent English and strong research, writing, analytical and computer skills. Interest in UNU/UN work. All African nationalities are included by the current call’s nationality-neutral invitation; developing-country applications are encouraged. Applicants already in Japan and overseas are both considered. Nationality and residence do not bar application under this call, but every applicant must meet the postgraduate, age, experience, language and selection requirements. Overseas selection does not itself grant Japanese immigration permission.

About the UNU Junior Fellows Internship Programme (2026)

UNU Junior Fellows Internship Programme Programme category: Internship Provider: United Nations University, Office of the Rector Destination: Japan Level: Internship for postgraduate students/recent graduates Cycle: Spring 2027 Application status checked 21 October 2026: OPEN. Funding A monthly stipend partially subsidizes basic living costs, including commuting, if the intern is not receiving other internship financial support. Academic-study scholarships are expressly excluded from this disqualifying-support category. Amount is duty-station/rate dependent and not numerically specified in the call; part-time arrangements are prorated. Eligibility Currently enrolled in master’s/doctoral study or completed such study within two years of application; at most 32 years old at application; no more than five years of relevant work experience; native/fluent English and strong research, writing, analytical and computer skills. Interest in UNU/UN work. All African nationalities are included by the current call’s nationality-neutral invitation; developing-country applications are encouraged. Applicants already in Japan and overseas are both considered. Nationality and residence do not bar application under this call, but every applicant must meet the postgraduate, age, experience, language and selection requirements. Overseas selection does not itself grant Japanese immigration permission. Conditions and exclusions UNU says it charges no recruitment-related fee. The call does not promise airfare, housing, full living expenses or comprehensive medical insurance. UNU disclaims accident, illness and death costs during the internship. Internship is not staff status or a promise of subsequent employment. Application timing November 1, 2026 at 23:59 JST (14:59 UTC). How to apply 1. Apply through the official current-call application page. 2. Provider-stated materials: Current English CV, maximum two single-sided pages; upload it in the generic P11 field because this vacancy expressly does not require P11; English cover letter, maximum one single-sided page; Current Junior Fellows application form and funding form; Two referee-submitted recommendation letters from official email accounts, at least one expected from an academic professor; applicant-submitted letters are not accepted; English certification unless native English speaker or eligible English-medium undergraduate/graduate study exemption applies. 3. Two referees send recommendations independently to ro_internship@unu.edu from official email accounts before the deadline; applicant-submitted recommendations are not accepted. No application account is required by the current vacancy. Application route: https://careers.unu.edu/o/junior-fellows-internship-spring2027 Official information: https://careers.unu.edu/o/junior-fellows-internship-spring2027 Both applicants already in Japan and applicants overseas are considered; there is no Japan-residence exclusion from stipend eligibility in the current call. Other internship financial support disqualifies stipend eligibility, but academic-study scholarships do not. Stipend amount is not numeric; part-time work is prorated. Current call allows age 32 and runs about 24 weeks, expected 1 March–27 August 2027. Selected applicants begin visa applications after signing an internship agreement where needed; visa approval, visa costs, airfare, housing and full medical coverage are not promised. Checked against official provider sources on 21 October 2026. Eligibility for consideration does not guarantee selection, admission or immigration permission. Current provider instructions govern.

UNU Junior Fellows Internship Programme eligibility

Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.

Currently enrolled in master’s/doctoral study or completed such study within two years of application; at most 32 years old at application; no more than five years of relevant work experience; native/fluent English and strong research, writing, analytical and computer skills. Interest in UNU/UN work. All African nationalities are included by the current call’s nationality-neutral invitation; developing-country applications are encouraged. Applicants already in Japan and overseas are both considered. Nationality and residence do not bar application under this call, but every applicant must meet the postgraduate, age, experience, language and selection requirements. Overseas selection does not itself grant Japanese immigration permission.

UNU Junior Fellows Internship Programme document information

No explicit document checklist is recorded here. If an application is required, prepare only the materials the provider requests.

How to apply for the UNU Junior Fellows Internship Programme 2026

Follow the provider's stated process. The checks below are guidance, not additional application requirements. Any original editorial instructions remain in the description above.

1
Check the provider's process
Consult https://careers.unu.edu/o/junior-fellows-internship-spring2027 to confirm whether consideration is automatic or requires an application, and follow only the process stated there.
2
Check eligibility and any requested materials
Listed eligibility: Currently enrolled in master’s/doctoral study or completed such study within two years of application; at most 32 years old at application; no more than five years of relevant work experience; native/fluent English and strong research, writing, analytical and computer skills. Interest in UNU/UN work. All African nationalities are included by the current call’s nationality-neutral invitation; developing-country applications are encouraged. Applicants already in Japan and overseas are both considered. Nationality and residence do not bar application under this call, but every applicant must meet the postgraduate, age, experience, language and selection requirements. Overseas selection does not itself grant Japanese immigration permission.. Confirm the current criteria and, if submission is required, use the provider's own checklist.
3
Check dates and next steps
Listed deadline information: November 1, 2026 at 23:59 JST (14:59 UTC).. Confirm any cutoff, time zone and follow-up process with the provider.

UNU Junior Fellows Internship Programme deadline & application timeline

Provider deadline information: November 1, 2026 at 23:59 JST (14:59 UTC).. This text cannot be safely converted to a countdown; check the official source for its meaning. The earlier milestones are optional planning suggestions only.

Planning suggestion: 12 months out
Check the current call and decide whether this opportunity fits your plans.
Planning suggestion: 6 months out
If the provider requires tests or documents that take time, plan for them using its published instructions.
Planning suggestion: 3 months out
If an application is required, review the provider's process and prepare only the materials it requests.
Planning suggestion: 1 month out
If submission is required, allow time to check your materials and any stated cutoff.
Provider deadline
November 1, 2026 at 23:59 JST (14:59 UTC).
Provider deadline information: November 1, 2026 at 23:59 JST (14:59 UTC).. Confirm the current instructions and any cutoff or time zone on the official source; no additional time is assumed here.

Ready to apply?

Cross-check the latest eligibility rules and deadline on the sponsor's official portal before you start your application.

Visit official site

Share this scholarship

Send the application link to a friend or post it to your network.

Editorial verification note

Both applicants already in Japan and applicants overseas are considered; there is no Japan-residence exclusion from stipend eligibility in the current call. Other internship financial support disqualifies stipend eligibility, but academic-study scholarships do not. Stipend amount is not numeric; part-time work is prorated. Current call allows age 32 and runs about 24 weeks, expected 1 March–27 August 2027. Selected applicants begin visa applications after signing an internship agreement where needed; visa approval, visa costs, airfare, housing and full medical coverage are not promised.

Last checked 10/21/2026

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for the UNU Junior Fellows Internship Programme?+

Currently enrolled in master’s/doctoral study or completed such study within two years of application; at most 32 years old at application; no more than five years of relevant work experience; native/fluent English and strong research, writing, analytical and computer skills. Interest in UNU/UN work. All African nationalities are included by the current call’s nationality-neutral invitation; developing-country applications are encouraged. Applicants already in Japan and overseas are both considered. Nationality and residence do not bar application under this call, but every applicant must meet the postgraduate, age, experience, language and selection requirements. Overseas selection does not itself grant Japanese immigration permission.

What funding does the UNU Junior Fellows Internship Programme offer?+

Listed funding: A monthly stipend partially subsidizes basic living costs, including commuting, if the intern is not receiving other internship financial support. Academic-study scholarships are expressly excluded from this disqualifying-support category. Amount is duty-station/rate dependent and not numerically specified in the call; part-time arrangements are prorated.. Confirm amounts, exclusions and conditions on the official source. This label does not establish any additional benefit components.

When is the application deadline?+

Provider deadline information: November 1, 2026 at 23:59 JST (14:59 UTC).. Confirm the current cutoff and any time zone on the official source; no additional cutoff or late-submission policy is assumed here.

What documents do I need to apply?+

No explicit document checklist is recorded here. If an application is required, prepare only the documents requested by the provider; requirements may differ from admission requirements.

How do I check the application process?+

Consult https://careers.unu.edu/o/junior-fellows-internship-spring2027 to confirm whether consideration is automatic or requires an application, and follow only the process stated there. Listed eligibility: Currently enrolled in master’s/doctoral study or completed such study within two years of application; at most 32 years old at application; no more than five years of relevant work experience; native/fluent English and strong research, writing, analytical and computer skills. Interest in UNU/UN work. All African nationalities are included by the current call’s nationality-neutral invitation; developing-country applications are encouraged. Applicants already in Japan and overseas are both considered. Nationality and residence do not bar application under this call, but every applicant must meet the postgraduate, age, experience, language and selection requirements. Overseas selection does not itself grant Japanese immigration permission.. Confirm the current criteria and, if submission is required, use the provider's own checklist. Listed deadline information: November 1, 2026 at 23:59 JST (14:59 UTC).. Confirm any cutoff, time zone and follow-up process with the provider.

Guides for this scholarship

Next steps & guides

Pick the guide that matches where you are right now.

Explore related programmes

Long-form sponsor guides, country pages and category pages connected to this scholarship.