Want to work on international security and disarmament from Geneva?
The UNIDIR Graduate Professional Programme (GPP) 2027 gives graduate students and recent graduates the chance to gain hands-on experience with the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research while working on research and policy issues linked to global peace and security.
And if you’re selected for the in-person Geneva track, you’ll receive a $1,500 monthly stipend.
Quick Facts
- Opportunity Type: UN Graduate Professional Programme
- Host: United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR)
- Location: Geneva, Switzerland
- Duration: 6 months
- Start: November 2026
- Format: Full-time; track-dependent arrangements may apply
- Stipend: $1,500/month for in-person Geneva participants
- Remote Stipend: $750/month where applicable
- Application Fee: Free
- Age Limits: There is no strict maximum or minimum age limit
- Deadline: September 16, 2026
- Nationality: International
- Degree: Master’s, PhD or equivalent second university degree
- Work Experience: Not strictly required
- Language: Professional fluency in English
What Is the UNIDIR Graduate Professional Program?
The program is designed for early-career researchers and postgraduate students who want practical experience in areas such as:
- Disarmament and arms control
- International security
- Peace and security policy
- International relations
- International law
- Cybersecurity
- Artificial intelligence
- Gender and security
You’ll get exposure to research, policy analysis and the work of a UN-affiliated institute operating at the heart of international diplomacy in Geneva.
What Do You Get?
For participants working in person in Geneva, the programme provides:
- $1,500 monthly stipend
- Experience working with a UN research institute
- Hands-on research and policy experience
- Exposure to international policymakers and experts
- Experience in Geneva’s multilateral environment
Important: The stipend is a contribution toward living expenses, not a full cost-of-living package.
Geneva is expensive, so you’ll need to budget for housing, food, transportation and other personal expenses.
You must also maintain valid medical insurance for the duration of the programme.
Who Can Apply?
This is not an undergraduate opportunity.
You should be eligible if you are:
- Currently enrolled in a Master’s, PhD or equivalent graduate programme, or
- A recent graduate who completed a qualifying degree within the stated eligibility period
Your academic background should be relevant to the programme’s research areas.
A formal professional work history is not necessarily required, but research experience, academic work or demonstrated interest in disarmament, arms control or international security can strengthen your application.
Language Requirement
Professional fluency in English is required, particularly for research, writing and communication.
Knowledge of another official UN language can be an advantage.
Before You Apply
The $1,500 stipend should not be confused with a fully funded Geneva fellowship.
The programme provides financial support, but participants are responsible for expenses that the programme does not explicitly cover, including accommodation and required medical insurance.
Don’t Miss the Next Hidden Gem
A chance to work with a UN research institute in Geneva is the kind of opportunity that can change the direction of an early research or policy career.
Subscribe to Potenue to discover more hidden fellowships, research opportunities, internships, scholarships and grants from around the world — delivered straight to your inbox.
Don’t just search for opportunities. Let Potenue find them for you.