The United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER) offers a prestigious Visiting PhD Fellowship Programme, which provides registered doctoral students an opportunity to further their research on developing economies. This programme allows fellows to access the resources and facilities at UNU-WIDER and collaborate with leading researchers in areas of mutual interest. The deadline for applications is 31 March at 23:59 UTC+3.

About the Programme

The Visiting PhD Fellowship Programme is designed for doctoral students who are interested in utilizing UNU-WIDER’s extensive resources to work on their dissertation or thesis research. Fellows typically spend three consecutive months at UNU-WIDER in Helsinki, during which time they focus on their research, prepare research papers, and present their findings in a seminar.

In addition to the opportunity to collaborate with experienced researchers at UNU-WIDER, fellows may also have the chance to publish their research in the WIDER Working Paper Series. This programme provides an excellent environment for doctoral students to advance their research and gain exposure in the academic community.

Selection Criteria

To be eligible for the Visiting PhD Fellowship Programme, applicants must be enrolled in a PhD programme and have demonstrated the ability to conduct research focused on developing economies. While applicants from other social sciences are welcome, it is important to note that UNU-WIDER is an economics-focused institute. Candidates must also possess good oral and written English communication skills, as well as strong quantitative and/or qualitative analytical abilities.

The programme particularly encourages applications from early-career researchers, female researchers, and those from developing countries. While applications are open to all stages of PhD research, the programme is best suited for those at later stages of their doctoral studies.

Financial Assistance

For fellows based in Helsinki, UNU-WIDER provides financial support to cover the cost of travel, medical insurance, and living expenses. The fellowship includes:

• A travel grant to cover the costs of travel to and from the fellowship location.
• Medical insurance for sickness and accidents during the fellowship period.
• A monthly stipend of EUR 2,050 to cover living expenses during the fellowship.

Please note that the programme does not provide support for expenses related to dependents.

Application Procedure

Applications for the Visiting PhD Fellowship Programme are accepted twice each year, with deadlines on 31 March and 30 September (23:59 UTC+3). When applying in March, successful applicants will visit UNU-WIDER during the period of September-November in the same year. When applying in September, successful applicants will visit UNU-WIDER in the period of March-June the following year.

The online application form will be available starting one month before the submission deadline, so applicants can begin the process on 1 March and 1 September each year. Selected candidates will be notified of the final decision within four weeks of the deadline. Once selected, applicants must confirm their decision to accept the fellowship within two weeks.

Applicants must submit their completed application online, including their curriculum vitae. Additionally, a reference letter from the applicant’s PhD supervisor is required. The letter should be sent directly from the supervisor to UNU-WIDER at phdreference@wider.unu.edu to verify the applicant’s enrollment in a PhD programme.

Contact Information

For further information about the programme or to address any issues with your online application, please refer to the Q&A page on the UNU-WIDER website. If additional assistance is needed, you can contact the fellowship team at phdfellow@wider.unu.edu. Please note that responses may take up to five working days.

If you are a doctoral student working on research related to developing economies and are interested in this unique opportunity, consider applying for the UNU-WIDER Visiting PhD Fellowship Programme.

Important Dates:

• Application Deadline: 31 March 23:59 UTC+3
• Fellowship Period: September-November (for applications submitted in March) or March-June (for applications submitted in September)

For further details, visit the official UNU-WIDER website.