The Early Career Climate Fellowship Programme was created in 2017 by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the United Nations University, run through UNU’s Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS). It gives academically outstanding young graduates from developing countries a first professional foothold at the meeting point of climate policy and research. Fellows are based in Bonn, Germany, and rotate through assignments across divisions of both UNFCCC and UNU, so each placement is shaped around the fellow’s background and the two organizations’ needs. The aim is to build a pipeline of climate talent that can go on to serve at home or internationally.
Benefits & funding
- Paid appointment under a UNU Personnel Service Agreement (PSA) contract; full-time at 40 hours per week (the official pages do not publish the exact salary figure).
- Duration of at least 12 months, extendable up to a total of two years.
- Hands-on assignments across UNFCCC and UNU divisions at the front line of international climate work.
- UNU facilitates the visa and work-permit process for Germany; group health insurance may be made available. Fellows arrange their own accommodation with guidance from UNU.
Eligibility
- Nationals of a developing country (per UN classification). Women from least developed countries are especially encouraged.
- Recently graduated with an advanced degree (Master’s, doctorate, or equivalent), or enrolled in the final semester of such a programme, in fields related to climate and environment, communications, international relations, or a related area. Holders of only a Bachelor’s degree are not considered.
- Evidence of top academic performance (for example scholarships or graduation with honours).
- Maximum age of 32.
- No professional experience required; up to two years of relevant experience (including internships or research assistant roles) is acceptable.
- Willingness to relocate to Bonn, Germany.
Can you apply?
Worth a closer look
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Eligible nationalities
Afghanistan · Angola · Bangladesh · Benin · Burkina Faso · Burundi · Cambodia · Central African Republic · Chad · Comoros · DR Congo · Djibouti
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Eritrea · Ethiopia · Gambia · Guinea · Guinea-Bissau · Haiti · Kiribati · Laos · Lesotho · Liberia · Madagascar · Malawi · Mali · Mauritania · Mozambique · Myanmar · Nepal · Niger · Rwanda · São Tomé and Príncipe · Senegal · Sierra Leone · Solomon Islands · Somalia · South Sudan · Sudan · Tanzania · Timor-Leste · Togo · Tuvalu · Uganda · Yemen · Zambia · North Korea · Syria · Algeria · Bhutan · Bolivia · Cabo Verde · Cameroon · Republic of the Congo · Côte d'Ivoire · Egypt · Eswatini · Ghana · Honduras · India · Iran · Jordan · Kenya · Kyrgyzstan · Lebanon · Micronesia · Mongolia · Morocco · Nicaragua · Nigeria · Pakistan · Papua New Guinea · Philippines · Samoa · Sri Lanka · Tajikistan · Tunisia · Uzbekistan · Vanuatu · Vietnam · Zimbabwe · Palestine · Argentina · Armenia · Azerbaijan · Belize · Botswana · Brazil · China · Colombia · Costa Rica · Cuba · Dominica · Dominican Republic · Ecuador · El Salvador · Equatorial Guinea · Fiji · Gabon · Georgia · Grenada · Guatemala · Guyana · Indonesia · Iraq · Jamaica · Kazakhstan · Libya · Malaysia · Maldives · Marshall Islands · Mauritius · Mexico · Montserrat · Namibia · Nauru · Palau · Panama · Paraguay · Peru · Saint Helena · Saint Lucia · Saint Vincent and the Grenadines · South Africa · Suriname · Thailand · Tonga · Türkiye · Turkmenistan · Venezuela
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Education required
Master Enrolled · Master · PhD
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Experience required
≤ 2 yrs
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Age requirement
≤ 32 yrs
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We only check the criteria we have data for. Always confirm full eligibility on the official page before applying.
Application process
- 1Wait for an open call — the programme runs in cohorts and does not accept unsolicited applications.
- 2Prepare a one-page cover letter, a CV of no more than two pages, a completed and signed UNU Personal History Form (P11), and copies of academic transcripts and degree certificates in a single PDF.
- 3Submit the complete package through the UNU careers portal before the deadline; incomplete applications are rejected automatically.
- 4Shortlisted candidates are contacted for interviews; start dates are set individually after an offer.
Program timeline
4th-cohort call for applications opened
17 October 2025
4th-cohort application deadline
31 October 2025
After the deadline
shortlisting and interviews; fellowship start dates agreed individually