The UN/DESA Italian Fellowships Programme is open to Italian citizens born on or after Jan 1, 1997, who hold an advanced university degree. It offers a one-year work assignment (May 2026 – May 2027) in UN field offices in developing countries. Candidates must apply to a maximum of two specific positions via the OWA system by December 18, 2025.
UN/DESA Italian Fellowships Programme 2026 Summary Table
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Host Organization | United Nations (UN/DESA) |
| Assignment Location | UN Field Offices in Developing Countries (Global South) |
| Category | Professional Fellowship / Traineeship |
| Eligible Countries | Italian Citizens ONLY |
| Reward | One Year of Fully Supported UN Work Experience |
| Key Criteria | Italian Citizenship, Advanced University Degree, Fluency in English and Italian, Born on or after January 1, 1997 |
| Application Deadline | December 18, 2025 (3:00 pm CET) |
The United Nations/DESA Italian Fellowships Programme 2026/2027
The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN/DESA) Office in Rome is calling for applications for the 2025/2026 Italian Fellowships Programme. This prestigious initiative is designed to provide highly qualified young Italian professionals with unparalleled experience in international development and multilateral cooperation.
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The one-year assignment places fellows in UN field offices across developing countries, where they will contribute directly to operational, analytical, and programme-focused responsibilities. The program aims to foster a new generation of experts motivated to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through practical, on-the-job training within the UN system.
Programme Timeline and Selection Process
The program follows a structured schedule to prepare and deploy the selected fellows:
- December 2025 – February 2026: Validation of applications and pre-selection activities are carried out.
- January – February 2026: Interviews and final selection of candidates are conducted.
- May 2026: Fellows participate in a comprehensive Orientation Workshop organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) Training Centre in Turin.
- May 2026 to May 2027: The On-the-Job Training Assignment takes place in UN field offices located in developing countries.
Benefits and Specific Awards of the UN/DESA Italian Fellowships
While specific stipend amounts are not listed, the program provides a fully supported environment, ensuring fellows can focus entirely on their professional development.
Tier 1: Professional Development and Career Launch
- High-Value Work Experience: Gain one full year of direct, supervised professional experience within the United Nations system, significantly boosting career prospects in international relations and development.
- Multilateral Expertise: Opportunity to contribute to operational, analytical, and programme-focused responsibilities in a UN field office.
- Specialized Training: Participation in a comprehensive orientation workshop provided by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Turin.
Tier 2: Program Coverage and Logistics
- Financial Support: The Fellowship is a fully supported opportunity (stipend and coverage are included, though specific amounts are not detailed).
- Comprehensive Support: Fellows receive guidance and mentorship from experienced UN staff throughout their assignment.
Eligibility Requirements for UN/DESA Italian Fellowships 2026
Applicants must strictly meet all four core criteria to be considered for the Italian Fellowships Programme:
- Nationality: Candidates must possess Italian citizenship (exclusive to Italian nationals).
- Date of Birth (Age Limit): Applicants must be born on or after January 1, 1997.
- Languages: Fluency in both English and Italian is required.
- Education (Advanced Degree): Candidates must hold an advanced university degree awarded prior to the application deadline. Eligible qualifications include:
- Laurea Magistrale/Specialistica
- Laurea Magistrale a ciclo unico
- University Master’s degree awarded after a Laurea/Laurea Triennale
- University Master’s degree awarded after a Bachelor’s degree
How to Apply for UN/DESA Italian Fellowships 2026 (Step by Step)
Applications must be submitted exclusively online through the UN/DESA Rome Online Web Application (OWA) system. The process requires specific document preparation and adherence to a strict submission protocol.
- Preparation and Registration:
- Document Scan: Obtain your Advanced University Degree Certificate. If your degree was awarded by an Italian university, you may use a manually signed self-certification (autocertificazione) PDF (max 1MB) containing all personal, degree, and credit details.
- OWA Registration: Complete the registration on the OWA system using a desktop or laptop computer (OWA is not fully mobile-responsive).
- Profile Completion:
- Update “My Profile”: Before creating an application, thoroughly update all sections in the “My Profile” area, including personal, contact, educational, and professional history.
- Application Creation and Limit:
- Select Position(s): Use the “New Application” feature to apply for specific Fellowship positions (this cycle does not accept general applications).
- Application Limit: Candidates may apply for a maximum of two specific positions.
- Submission:
- Complete Sections: Fill out the three application sections: Employment History, Motivation Letter, and Review.
- Final Review: Download the PDF preview for final checks before submission. Once submitted, revisions are not permitted.
Application Deadline: December 18, 2025 at 3:00 pm CET
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Who is eligible to apply for the UN/DESA Italian Fellowships Programme?
The program is highly exclusive; only candidates who hold Italian citizenship are eligible to apply.
2. What is the deadline and time for submitting the application?
The application deadline is December 18, 2025, at 3:00 pm CET (Central European Time).
3. What is the required age limit for applicants?
Applicants must have been born on or after January 1, 1997.
4. What type of degree is required to be considered for this Fellowship?
Candidates must hold an advanced university degree (such as a Laurea Magistrale/Specialistica, or equivalent Master’s degree) awarded prior to the application deadline.
5. What documents are required for the initial registration and submission?
You must upload a single PDF (max 1MB) containing either your official advanced university degree certificate or a manually signed self-certification if the degree was awarded by an Italian university.
6. Can I apply for multiple Fellowship positions?
Yes, candidates may apply for a maximum of two specific Fellowship positions using the Online Web Application (OWA) system.
7. What are the required languages for the program?
Fluency in both English and Italian is required for all applicants.
8. Where will the on-the-job training assignment take place?
The assignment will take place over one year in various UN field offices located in developing countries (Global South).
9. When does the one-year assignment start and end?
The full assignment period runs from May 2026 to May 2027, following the orientation workshop in May 2026.
10. Can I edit my application after I submit it through the OWA system?
No, once an application is submitted through the Online Web Application (OWA) system, revisions are not permitted. Candidates are advised to use the PDF preview function before final submission.
