United Nations fellowships are a core component of the organization's technical cooperation programme and are intended to respond to the needs of Member States for enhanced national skills development and training. Their purpose is to:

• promote strategic human resource development to help countries reach national economic and social development objectives
• assist Member States address acute shortages in advanced professional skills
• build national capacity for development in areas that are of a high priority to Member States
• enhance national training opportunities

Fellowships are awarded only to candidates nominated by their respective Governments and are not, in principle, awarded for the pursuit of academic studies leading to degrees or diplomas. They are intended to give persons entrusted with functions important to the development of their countries the opportunity to broaden their professional knowledge and experience by acquainting themselves with advanced methods and techniques.

A particular training programme may include attendance at an academic institution where a fellowship holder may be called upon to qualify for a specific professional diploma; however, the main purpose of fellowships is to enable the holders to derive from their training the knowledge and professional competence which will enable them to participate more actively in the economic and social development of their countries, and to increase their ability to help solve practical problems upon their return home.

Guidelines for prospective fellows
Maximum stipend rates by country
Nomination, entry medical exam, study tour and meeting participant forms
Links to other programmes

Sample award letter sent to successful fellows (PDF)
Standard letter of acceptance of a fellowship (PDF)

Source: United Nations Fellowships Program