How can I take part in the UNU-EHS PhD programme?
How can I apply for a Post-Doc scholarship?
How can I become a UNU Fellow?
How can I become an intern?
How does the UNU disseminate and publicize its work?
How does the UNU reach opinion leaders and policy makers?
How is the UNU financed?
How is the UNU in Bonn structured?
How is the UNU organized?
What are the UNU's main aims and objectives?
Where do the staff come from?
Who are the UNU's students?
Why was the UNU created?

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How can I take part in the UNU-EHS PhD programme?

The Ph.D. Programme at UNU-EHS is open to individuals interested in working on the global issues of disaster risk reduction and sustainable development. In particular, the programme targets those from developing countries who will apply their newly acquired knowledge and skills to the situations in their home countries. Researchers or operate according to a conventional semester calendar. Rather, the Ph.D. Researchers at UNU-EHS apply and work within different projects, ideally fulfilling with their respective Ph.D. thesis the project goals.

For more details, check the PhD Programme webpage. Please contact the academic officer of your interest section for more information.

How can I apply for a Post-Doc scholarship?

Suitable official applications for short-term research stays have to be submitted online and supporting documents sent by email or airmail. The essential criteria for selection and decision upon funding are the quality, relevance and feasibility of a detailed proposal the applicant is requested to submit. This document should reflect in-depth the small research project he/she wants to carry out during his/her short-term stay in cooperation with the respective host institution in Germany (form/layout of proposal is provided below for download).

For more information, you can go to the Post-Doc Scholarship article.

How can I become a UNU Fellow?

A prospective UNU Fellow cannot apply directly to the UNU for postgraduate training. Fellows are chosen after recommendations from their home institutions, which must be working in an area of concern to the UNU, and candidates must be committed to returning to work at their home institutions. Most fellows are from developing countries. Besides this type of "institutional" fellowships, some UNU research and training centres offer Ph.D. fellowships in their respective areas of priority, which are announced in their homepages for individual applications.

For more information, go to the UNU-EHS Fellows section.

How can I become an intern?

Candidates interested in applying for an internship with the United Nations University should send their details to . Please indicate the department in which you would like to intern, as well as your specific qualifications.

Please note, unsuccessful applications can unfortunately neither be acknowledged nor returned.

How does the UNU-EHS disseminate and publicize its work?

The UNU-EHS has launched (both in paper and electronic versions) two of its own publication series, “InterSecTions” (International, interdisciplinary (in)Security ConnecTions) and SOURCE: Studies Of the University: Research, Counsel, Education. EACH-FOR and UNU-EHS newsletters, working papers, presentations, annual reports, and several brochures and flyers are also issued to report on the ongoing research and developments in the UNU in Bonn network. The full texts of UNU books and other printed materials are increasingly made available in electronic form, such as CD-ROMs and at the websites of the UNU-EHS and UNU-ViE.

How does the UNU reach opinion leaders and policy makers?

The UNU holds conferences, seminars, and consultative meetings around the world and responds quickly to meet current concerns. Its colloquia and publications address pivotal problems, such as conflict resolution, peace and good governance, development economics, science and technology, and environmental issues. Findings and knowledge gained from UNU's research activities are also provided to opinion leaders and policy makers through its participation in global conferences.

How is the UNU-EHS financed?

The UNU-EHS, as the UNU in general, gets no funds from the regular budget of the United Nations. Financial support is entirely by way of voluntary contributions from governments, agencies, foundations and individual donors. The UNU's basic revenue for operating expenses is generated by investment income from its Endowment Fund. The UNU budget for the current biennium (2002-2003) stands at US$73.5 million. Currently, pledges to the Endowment Fund, operating and specific programme contributions made by 58 governments and 214 other benefactors totaled some US$382 million. The University also has benefited from counterpart and other support, including cost-sharing support for the fellowships. Major contributions received during 2001 are described in the Annual Report for the year.

How is the UNU organized?

The University consists of the UNU Centre in Tokyo, several research and training centres and programmes (RTC/Ps), and a network of associated and cooperating institutions and scholars. The University Centre in Tokyo is the central programming and coordinating body of the University, designated to assist the Rector, chief academic and administrative officer of the University, in the direction, organization and administration of the overall programme. RTC/Ps are created by the UNU in various parts of the world to focus on specific problems, and links are forged with existing universities, national research centres, and other organizations located mainly in developing countries. All these elements interact in a networking manner. The principles and policies for the University are set by its governing Council.

How is the UNU in Bonn structured?

UNU in Bonn consists of four entities: UNU-EHS, UNU-ViE, UNW-DPC, UNU- IHDP:
UNU-EHS explores problems and promotes solutions related to the environmental dimension of human security.
UNU-ViE serves by networking in capacity development, knowledge transfer and is strengthening the institutionaldevelopment of UNU and its partners;
UNW-DPC enhances the coherence, credibility and integrated effectiveness of UN-Water by adding value to the capacity development activities of UN Water member organisations.
UNU-IHDP generates and fosters new knowledge resources related to the human dimensions of global environmental change, especially on impacts, adaptation and mitigation.

All four entities are served by two central units: Administration and Finance Unit, and the ICT Unit. The Information and Communication Unit and the External Relations, Outreach and Internship Programme Unit only serve the UNU-ViE and UNU-EHS, the other two entities having their own units for these tasks.

You can have a look at the UNU in Bonn’s organisational chart.

What are the UNU's main aims and objectives?

The mission of the UNU is to contribute, through research and capacity building, to efforts to resolve the pressing global problems that are the concern of the United Nations and its Member States. The UNU aims to fulfil its mission by performing four key roles that are based on the mandate given to the University by its Charter:

To help increase the research and training capacities, the UNU's current activities are grouped in two main areas: environment and sustainable development, and peace and governance.

Where do the staff come from?

The UNU's academic and professional staff are recruited from universities, research institutions, and international organziations, often on secondment for fixed terms. Vacancies for professional staff are advertised in specialized magazines, newspapers, the UN Vacancy Announcement Bulletin, and the UNU website. The support staff are usually recruited locally. The University's academic network personnel generally hold positions at major universities worldwide and remain in their posts while working with UNU programmes. A wide variety of nationalities and cultures are represented.

Who are the UNU's students?

As an academic institution of the United Nations, the UNU has no student body in the traditional sense. Its students are postgraduate or young postdoctoral researchers, mainly from developing countries, who receive advanced training as UNU Fellows or participate in UNU training courses, seminars and workshops.

Why was the UNU created?

In 1969, following a proposal by the then Secretary-General U Thant, the United Nations recommended that a new type of university be established to promote international scholarly cooperation; undertake problem-oriented, multidisciplinary research on urgent global concerns; and strengthen research and training capacities in developing countries.