Application Deadline: 7 April 2025
Applications are now open for the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) Youth for Biosecurity Fellowship. Organized by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs in Geneva, in partnership with key international actors that empower youth in science diplomacy and global biosecurity, the Youth for Biosecurity Fellowship provides a unique learning and networking experience in the framework of the Biological Weapons Convention.
Launched in 2019 as a Biosecurity Diplomacy Workshop, the Youth for Biosecurity Initiative organized its first fellowship in 2023. For the third edition, the fellowship will provide the opportunity for 20 competitively selected young scientists from the Global South to join an online interactive training programme prior to a field visit during the meeting of the BWC Working Group on the Strengthening of the Convention in Geneva.
The Fellowship aims at allowing young biosecurity leaders from the Global South to:
- Learn & lead -> deepen your expertise in biosecurity and disarmament to build leadership skills,
- Think & act -> engage in discussions with senior experts and make your voice heard in the margins of multilateral disarmament meetings,
- Engage with community -> connect with young experts in an international youth network and enjoy a space for dialogue between emerging scientists and BWC practitioners.
Requirements
To be eligible to apply, prospective fellows must:
- Be under 35 years old at the time of applying,
- Be citizens of a BWC State Party listed as least developed country, low- or lower/upper middle-income country (Check if your country is in the Development Assistance Committee List of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
- Have an advanced degree in the life sciences or a related discipline from a recognized university or institution. [Candidates with backgrounds in other fields such as social sciences can be exceptionally considered if they have a demonstrated interest in biosecurity, health security and/or disarmament and non-proliferation]
- Have a strong command of written and spoken English
Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. The selection process will be guided by the need to ensure the highest quality of participants while maintaining a gender and regional balance.
Program Details
The Fellowship runs over a 3-month period and requires a minimal time commitment to accommodate fellows’ work or academic schedules. Activities include:
- A series of online Biosecurity Diplomacy Workshops from 5 June to 5 July 2025, with approximately one session (two to three hours) per week.
- A collaborative project to prepare in July 2025 and to be presented at the BWC Working Group on the Strengthening of the Convention in August 2025
- A five-day field visit in Geneva from 11 to 15 August 2025 during the meetings of the BWC Working Group on the Strengthening of the Convention.
Fellowship Benefits
The Fellowship is structured in two parts:
i) An online interactive training programme featuring experts’ presentations, interactive discussions, and networking/mentoring sessions. Seven virtual sessions will introduce participants to the Biological Weapons Convention, science diplomacy, science and technology review in the life science, dual use research of concern, among others. Fellows will need a computer and a good Wi-Fi connection.
ii) A field visit to Geneva during the week of the Working Group on the Strengthening of the Convention including attendance to the BWC official meetings, leadership skills training, expert dialogues, private institutional visits, meetings with diplomats and the organization of public events to stimulate engagement and reflection on global biosecurity and youth engagement. The Fellows’ travel and stay in Geneva will be funded for the duration of the visit in line with UN rules and regulations.
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