The UNU-WIDER Visiting Scholars Program is offered by the United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER) to support researchers, academics, and practitioners in conducting policy-relevant research on global development challenges. Based in Helsinki, Finland, this program invites scholars from around the world, particularly from developing countries, to spend a period of 3-6 months at UNU-WIDER, where they can work on their research projects in an intellectually stimulating environment. The program is designed to foster collaboration between researchers and the broader UNU-WIDER community, enabling participants to engage with ongoing research projects, seminars, and academic discussions.
The Visiting Scholars Programme offers qualified scholars the opportunity to conduct research on topics related to development and global economic issues while participating in UNU-WIDER’s activities. Scholars typically spend 2-3 months on a ‘sabbatical’ at UNU-WIDER, during which they work on one or more papers that are considered for publication in the WIDER working paper series. During their stay, scholars also present a seminar on their specific field of research, contributing to the academic and policy discussions within the institute.
The Visiting Scholars Program provides a unique opportunity for participants to enhance their research capabilities, access UNU-WIDER’s vast resources, and collaborate with leading economists and development experts. Scholars are encouraged to focus on issues related to economic development, poverty alleviation, inequality, governance, and sustainable development. In addition to receiving support for their research, visiting scholars often contribute to UNU-WIDER’s policy analysis work, producing outputs that can inform development policy and practice globally. The program promotes the exchange of knowledge and ideas, allowing scholars to not only advance their own research agendas but also to bring fresh perspectives to UNU-WIDER’s mission of addressing global development challenges.
Through this program, UNU-WIDER aims to strengthen the capacity of scholars, particularly from the Global South, to contribute to international development discourse and policy. The experience gained through the program helps scholars enhance their academic networks, publish their research, and impact policy debates both in their home countries and on the global stage. By facilitating cross-border knowledge exchange, the UNU-WIDER Visiting Scholars Program contributes to building a more equitable and informed understanding of development economics and strategies to address poverty and inequality worldwide.
Benefits
UNU-WIDER provides medical insurance (for medical and hospital services resulting from sickness and accident during your stay at UNU-WIDER), and a monthly stipend of EUR 3,250 as a contribution towards travel, visa, accommodation and other out-of-pocket expenses.
Visiting scholars may apply for a supplementary grant to cover high travel costs (incl. visa and related travel) for the part exceeding EUR 1,200 (lowest economy class fare) provided that the ticket is paid by the visiting scholar, and no other travel grants are received from another source. The programme does not provide services or cover expenses related to dependents.
Requirements For The UNU-WIDER Visiting Scholars Program
Applicants should have a PhD degree in economics or a development-related discipline. A good publication record is an added advantage. Applications from suitably qualified early-career, female, and developing country researchers are particularly encouraged.
We prefer applicants whose research overlaps with our current research programme, but we remain open to proposals on all aspects of development.
Method of Application
UNU-WIDER only receives online applications for the Visiting Scholars Programme once each year. The deadline for submission of applications is 30 September 23:59 UTC+3.
Please note that the link to the online application form will only become active one month prior to the submission deadline (i.e., on 1 September of each year).
Selected applicants will be informed by email of the final decision within eight weeks of the closing deadline. The selected applicants must confirm their decision to take up UNU-WIDER’s offer two weeks after being contacted.
If you are interested in participating in this programme you should complete and submit the application form.
As part of your application, you will be asked to upload your curriculum vitae. If you experience problems with uploading this document then it can be emailed to the following address: scholars1(at)wider.unu.edu.
Application Deadline: September 30, 2024.
For More Information,
