UNU-WIDER Visiting PhD Fellowship Programme for Doctoral Students 2025

The Visiting PhD Fellowship Programme gives registered doctoral students an opportunity to utilize the resources and facilities at UNU-WIDER for their PhD dissertation or thesis research on developing economies, and to work with our researchers in areas of mutual interest. 

Visiting PhD fellows typically spend three consecutive months at UNU-WIDER before returning to their home institution. During the programme, fellows prepare one or more research papers and present a seminar on their research findings. They may also have the opportunity to publish their research in the WIDER Working Paper Series.

• Table of Content
• About United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER)
• UNU-WIDER Visiting PhD Fellowship Programme
• Aim and Benefits of UNU-WIDER Visiting PhD Fellowship Programme
• Requirements for UNU-WIDER Visiting PhD Fellowship Programme Qualification
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER)

The United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research provides economic analysis and policy advice with the aim of promoting sustainable and equitable development for all. The Institute began operations over 30 years ago in Helsinki, Finland, as the first research centre of the United Nations University. Today it is a unique blend of think tank, research institute, and UN agency – providing a range of services from policy advice to governments as well as freely available original research. Over the period 2019–23 UNU-WIDER research will fo... continue reading

UNU-WIDER Visiting PhD Fellowship Programme

Aim and Benefits of UNU-WIDER Visiting PhD Fellowship Programme

When the fellowship is undertaken in Helsinki, UNU-WIDER provides a travel grant to cover the costs of travel to and from the location of your PhD granting institution or country of residence, medical insurance (for medical and hospital services resulting from sickness and accident during your stay at UNU-WIDER), and a monthly stipend of EUR 2,050 to cover living expenses in Helsinki during the period of their fellowship. The programme does not cover expenses related to dependents.

Requirements for UNU-WIDER Visiting PhD Fellowship Programme Qualification

• Applicants must be enrolled in a PhD programme and have shown ability to conduct research on developing economies.
• Candidates working in other social sciences may apply but should keep in mind that UNU-WIDER is an economics-focused institute.
• Candidates should be fluent in oral and written English and possess good quantitative and/or qualitative analytical skills. 
• Applications from suitably qualified early-career, female, and developing country researchers are particularly encouraged.
• The programme is especially addressed at researchers at later stages of their PhD.

The Visiting PhD Fellowship Programme is highly competitive and only a limited number of fellows can be accepted. In recent years, one percent of all applications have been successful.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

Contact email address: [email protected]

For more details, visit UNU-WIDER fellowship webpage.