Application Deadline: 31 March, 23:59 UTC+3.
The application window is currently open for the 2027 UNU-WIDER Visiting PhD Fellowship Programme. This initiative offers doctoral candidates enrolled in a PhD programme a valuable chance to access UNU-WIDER’s extensive resources and facilities to advance their dissertation or thesis research focused on developing economies. Fellows will also have the opportunity to collaborate closely with UNU-WIDER’s researchers on shared interests.
Typically, participants in the Visiting PhD Fellowship Programme spend a continuous period of three months at UNU-WIDER's Helsinki headquarters before returning to their home institutions. During their stay, fellows are expected to produce one or more research papers and deliver a seminar presenting their findings. Additionally, they may be eligible to have their research published in the esteemed WIDER Working Paper Series.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must currently be enrolled in a PhD programme and demonstrate competent research skills related to developing economies.
- Those engaged in other social science disciplines are welcome to apply; however, it is important to note that UNU-WIDER maintains a primary focus on economics.
- Proficiency in both spoken and written English is required, alongside strong quantitative and/or qualitative analytical capabilities.
- Applications from early-career researchers, female candidates, and individuals from developing countries are particularly encouraged.
- The programme is primarily geared toward doctoral students who are in the advanced phases of their studies.
Given the competitive nature of the programme, only a small fraction of applicants are accepted each year. Historically, the acceptance rate has hovered around one percent.
Financial Support Provided
UNU-WIDER offers a comprehensive financial package for accepted fellows which includes:
- A travel grant covering round-trip transportation costs between the fellow’s PhD institution or country of residence and Helsinki.
- Medical insurance that provides coverage for sickness and accident-related hospital services throughout the fellowship period.
- A monthly stipend of EUR 2,070 intended to cover living expenses during the stay in Helsinki.
Note that the fellowship does not extend financial support for any dependents accompanying the fellow.
How to Apply
Applicants will be required to upload their curriculum vitae as part of the submission process. Additionally, a letter of recommendation from the applicant’s PhD supervisor must be sent directly by the supervisor via email to visitingphd@wider.unu.edu. This letter will serve both as a reference and as confirmation of the applicant’s active enrollment in a doctoral programme.
It is important to note that UNU-WIDER does not accept applications submitted by email or postal mail. All applications must be completed through the designated online platform.
Contact Information
If you have any inquiries regarding the fellowship programme or encounter difficulties with the online application system, please first consult the questions and answers page. Should you require further assistance after reviewing the FAQs, you may reach out via email at visitingphd@wider.unu.edu. Please be aware that responses may take up to five working days.
For comprehensive details and updates, please Visit the Official Webpage of the UNU-WIDER Visiting PhD Fellowship Programme.
