Visiting PhD Fellowship at UNU-WIDER | Research Opportunity for Doctoral Students

Visiting PhD Fellowship at UNU-WIDER: An Opportunity for Doctoral Students

The United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER) invites applications for its prestigious Visiting PhD Fellowship Programme. This opportunity is designed for doctoral students conducting research on developing economies, allowing them to engage with UNU-WIDER’s extensive resources and collaborate with top researchers. The application deadline is 31 March at 23:59 UTC+3.

About the Programme

The Visiting PhD Fellowship Programme provides a platform for registered doctoral students to advance their research by utilizing UNU-WIDER’s facilities in Helsinki. Fellows spend three consecutive months at the institute, focusing on their dissertation or thesis, preparing research papers, and presenting their findings in seminars.

Participants benefit from expert mentorship and may also have the opportunity to publish their research in the WIDER Working Paper Series, enhancing their academic exposure and career prospects.

Selection Criteria

To qualify for the fellowship, applicants must:

Be enrolled in a PhD programme with research related to developing economies.
Possess strong quantitative and/or qualitative analytical skills.
Have excellent written and spoken English proficiency.
Be at any stage of their doctoral studies, though preference is given to those in later stages.
Applications from early-career researchers, female scholars, and candidates from developing countries are highly encouraged.

Since UNU-WIDER is primarily an economics-focused institution, applicants from other social sciences must demonstrate relevance to economic research.

Financial Support

Fellows selected for the UNU-WIDER Visiting PhD Programme receive financial assistance to support their stay in Helsinki, including:

Travel grant covering round-trip airfare.
Medical insurance for sickness and accidents.
Monthly stipend of EUR 2,050 to cover living expenses.

Note: The fellowship does not provide funding for dependents.

Application Procedure

Applications for the UNU-WIDER Visiting PhD Fellowship are accepted twice a year, with deadlines on 31 March and 30 September (23:59 UTC+3).

Applications submitted in March will be considered for the September-November fellowship period of the same year.
Applications submitted in September will be considered for the March-June fellowship period of the following year.

How to Apply

The online application form is available one month before the submission deadline, opening on 1 March and 1 September each year.
Applicants must submit a curriculum vitae (CV).
A reference letter from the applicant’s PhD supervisor must be sent directly to phdreference@wider.unu.edu to confirm their enrollment.
Selected candidates will be notified within four weeks of the application deadline and must confirm acceptance within two weeks of notification.

Contact Information

For further details, visit the UNU-WIDER website and check the Q&A page. If you require additional assistance, contact the fellowship team at phdfellow@wider.unu.edu. Please note that responses may take up to five working days.

Why Apply?

If you are a PhD student researching developing economies, this fellowship offers an unmatched opportunity to collaborate with world-class researchers, access exclusive academic resources, and contribute to global economic research. Apply now and take your doctoral journey to the next level!

Important Dates:

Application Deadline: 31 March (23:59 UTC+3)
Fellowship Period: September-November (March applicants) or March-June (September applicants)

How to Apply

Interested and qualified? Go to Scholarship at Uniplus Global to apply