Closing Date: 13 September 2026
Exciting 8 fully funded scholarships for young people to participate in the UNITAR Study Programme in Geneva: Apply Now!
UNITAR and the Chemicals and Waste Youth Platform are offering up to 8 fully funded scholarships for young people to participate in the United Nations Chemicals and Waste Management Study Programme in Geneva from 9–13 November 2026.
The programme provides an immersive opportunity to learn about international chemicals and waste governance directly from UN agencies, international organizations and leading experts.
Applicants must be aged 18–35 and be from a Low- or Middle-Income Country, Least Developed Country, Small Island Developing State, or be a representative of Indigenous Peoples.
Fully funded scholarships may cover round-trip flights, accommodation, programme fees, meals, visa fees, and local transportation.
Open Call for Youth Scholarships: United Nations Chemicals and Waste Management Study Programme
Following the successful collaboration in July 2026 for the inaugural United Nations Chemicals and Waste Management Study Programme (read summary here), the Chemicals and Waste Youth Platform (CWYP) and United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) are pleased to offer up to 8 fully-funded scholarships for youth, students, recent graduates and early-career professionals (up to age 35) to participate in the second edition of the programme to be hosted from 9-13 November 2026 in Geneva.
Participation in the UNITAR Study Programme will be complemented by additional opportunities coordinated by CWYP to engage in negotiations and youth events as part of the Global Framework on Chemicals First International Conference (GFC IC-1) from 14-20 November.
Participants will partake in structured, small-group learning and professional development experiences through the Study Programme, including a look “behind the scenes” at chemicals and waste processes in the UN system in Geneva, interactive training sessions with experts, and guidance into career pathways in the UN and international environmental governance.
ELIGIBILITY
Scholarships are open to youth meeting the following criteria, without exceptions:
- Are between the ages of 18 and 35 at the time of application;
- Are from a Low and Middle-Income Country (LMIC), Least Developed Country (LDC), Small Island Developing State (SIDS), or are a representative of Indigenous Peoples;
- Are available to travel and be present in Geneva from 8-20 November (inclusive), and are committed to participating in the full duration of the programme; and
- Have submitted this completed application form by the deadline (13 September 2026).
Applications will be evaluated by the Selection Team for sincere, detailed responses to the written prompts that demonstrate:
- Clear motivation for participating in the programme and how it aligns with current work, interests, and future career aspirations in chemicals and waste management, environmental health or related fields; and
- Commitment to sharing knowledge learned and contributing to follow-up activities within their communities, organizations or networks.
NOTE: Copy-pasted AI-generated responses are not permitted. Sincere, personalized applications generally stand out and receive greater support from the Selection Team, even if they are not grammatically “perfect.”
EXPECTED TRAVEL SUPPORT COVERAGE
The following is an overview of travel arrangements and financial support to be provided to youth selected for the scholarships. More detailed logistics will be shared with successful applicants.
Fully-Funded Travel Grants [Open to youth from LMIC/LDCs and Indigenous Peoples]
- Economy-class, round-trip flight tickets booked by the Organizing Team.
- Hotel accommodation arranged by the Organizing Team.
- Coverage of Study Programme fees.
- Reimbursement of meals, visa fees and transportation costs against receipts and as approved by Organizing Team.
ABOUT THE UNITAR STUDY PROGRAMME
UNITAR has been a global leader in capacity building since 1963, providing over 500,000 learning initiatives annually. Through its Division for Planet, UNITAR’s Chemicals and Waste Management Programme supports countries in the implementation of international agreements related to chemicals and waste, including the: Basel Convention (transboundary movement of hazardous waste), Rotterdam Convention (prior informed consent for trade in hazardous chemicals), Stockholm Convention (eliminating persistent organic pollutants POPs), Minamata Convention (mercury) and Global Framework on Chemicals. As of 2026, UNITAR also serves as the host of the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC) Secretariat.
The November edition of the Study Programme will feature:
- Expert lectures and technical workshops on the UN’s work on a range of thematic areas related to chemicals and waste management;
- Site visits to Geneva-based institutions such as the Palais des Nations and touring a hazardous waste management facility;
- Career sessions providing insights on the UN internship and entry-level recruitment process; and
- The Pollution Solutions Lab, a flagship CWYP-UNITAR innovation / “hackathon” session where participants work collaboratively to design practical project proposals addressing chemicals and waste management challenges.
Participants completing the programme will receive a UNITAR Certificate of Completion.
For those requiring support on their visa applications, kindly note UNITAR can provide assistance by providing an official letter of invitation upon confirmation of registration in this programme.
- Read more about the experiences of participants during the inaugural session of the Study Programme
- Join the virtual information session on 19 August (14-15:30 CEST) to learn more about what to expect
ABOUT THE GLOBAL FRAMEWORK ON CHEMICALS
The Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste (GFC)is a comprehensive policy plan adopted in September 2023 at the 5th International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM5). It addresses a broad range of chemical safety issues – from highly hazardous pesticides to endocrine disrupting chemicals to pharmaceutical pollutants – and replaces the earlier Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM).
Building upon SAICM’s legacy, the GFC provides a more concrete set of 5 strategic objectives and 28 targets, most of which are set to be achieved by 2030-2035. While voluntary (not legally-binding), the GFC serves as a centralized strategy connecting governments, civil society stakeholders, academia, and the private sector to enhance global coordination, mobilize political will, and drive action on safer chemicals management, from innovation to production to disposal.
Youth have a rare and powerful opportunity to shape the framework’s implementation in ways rarely seen in other UN negotiation processes. The GFC’s multistakeholder, multisectoral engagement model allows for youth and other civil society groups to directly propose text and resolutions, deliver interventions throughout the negotiations alongside country delegates, and nominate specific chemicals issues of concern to be considered for action.
As the body coordinating youth engagement in the Global Framework on Chemicals, the Chemicals and Waste Youth Platform will contribute collective youth policy recommendations to GFC IC-1. Youth delegates can be expected to deliver spoken and written interventions during the negotiations, meet with country and stakeholder delegations to discuss youth priorities, and engage in the 3-day Youth Forum on Chemicals and Waste, a special event of GFC IC-1.
SUPPORT WITH SELECTIONS
If you are not applying for the Study Programme and would like to join the Selection Team to evaluate and select youth candidates to receive the scholarships, please email [email protected] with subject line “Selection Team Volunteer – CW Study Programme,” and include your name, date of birth and contact information in the body of the email.
