Application Deadline: 5 March 2026
The United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) in Geneva is pleased to announce that applications are currently being accepted for the 2026 edition of the Young Women for Biosecurity Fellowship. Now in its fourth iteration, this prestigious fellowship series builds upon the foundation laid by the Biosecurity Diplomacy Workshop initiated in 2019. Over the years, the programme has successfully engaged more than 140 young scientists through an innovative and interactive training curriculum designed to foster expertise in biosecurity.
This year, 20 outstanding early-career scientists hailing from the Global South will be competitively selected to participate in a blend of virtual and in-person activities. The fellowship includes a sequence of five interactive webinars leading up to an immersive, on-site experience in Geneva in August 2026, aligned with the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) Working Group session focused on strengthening the Convention.
Fellowship Objectives
- Learn & Lead: Enhance your knowledge and leadership skills in biosecurity and disarmament, empowering you to become a confident advocate in this critical field.
- Think & Act: Exchange ideas with seasoned experts and collaboratively develop actionable proposals aimed at fortifying global biosecurity measures.
- Engage & Connect: Build a diverse and international network by connecting with young professionals across various disciplines and regions.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must be under 35 years of age at the time of application.
- Must be nationals of a BWC State Party country classified as a least developed, low-income, or lower/upper middle-income nation. To verify your country's status, please Check if your country is in the Development Assistance Committee List of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
- Possession of an advanced academic degree in life sciences or a closely related field from an accredited university or institution is required.
- Demonstrated proficiency in both spoken and written English at a B2 level or above, according to the Global scale – Table 1 (CEFR 3.3): Common Reference levels – Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). A valid certificate confirming this level must be submitted with the application.
Benefits Provided
Selected fellows will receive economy-class airfare to Geneva as well as a daily subsistence allowance, all in accordance with United Nations regulations and policies, covering the official dates of travel and programme participation.
Fellowship Structure and Schedule
The fellowship runs over a three-month timeframe with a flexible schedule designed to accommodate participants’ professional or academic commitments. Full attendance and active engagement are mandatory for the following components:
- A series of five online webinars scheduled from 3 June to 1 July 2026. Sessions will be held weekly on Wednesdays, each lasting approximately two hours. The webinars will start at 2:00 pm Central European Time (CET), except for the inaugural session, which begins at 3:00 pm CET.
- A collaborative scientific poster project to be developed in July 2026, culminating in a presentation during the BWC Working Group meeting in August 2026.
- A five-day in-person visit to Geneva, taking place from 17 to 21 August 2026, coinciding with the BWC Working Group sessions focused on strengthening the Convention. Attendance for the entire duration of the visit is required.
For additional details and to apply, please Visit the Official Webpage of the UNODA Young Women for Biosecurity Fellowship.
