At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed this fellowship so you know exactly what the visiting-scholar "sabbatical" involves, what it pays, and how to apply before the 30 September 2026 deadline. Run by UNU-WIDER (the United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research) in Helsinki, it gives qualified scholars two to three months to research development and global-economic issues, produce a working paper, and present a seminar, with a monthly stipend and medical insurance.
What the Programme Offers
📚 The Visiting Scholars Programme gives qualified scholars the opportunity to research topics related to development and/or global economic issues, and to take part in UNU-WIDER's activities.
🗓️ Scholars typically spend a two-to-three-month "sabbatical" at UNU-WIDER, during which they prepare one or more papers to be considered for publication in the WIDER Working Paper series and present a seminar in their field of research.
Who It's For
🎓 Applicants should hold a PhD 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, and there is no nationality restriction.
🔬 UNU-WIDER prefers applicants whose research overlaps with its current programme but remains open to proposals on all aspects of development. That current programme (2024 onward) is framed as "Inequality, Conflict, and Fiscal Space", with three core areas: reducing persistent inequalities; sustainable peace in post-conflict countries; and fiscal space for development (domestic revenue mobilisation, taxation, social protection, environmental taxes), plus three cross-cutting themes: climate change, gender equality, and data for development.
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The Financial Package
💶 A monthly stipend of €3,375, as a contribution towards travel, visa, accommodation and other out-of-pocket expenses.
🩺 Medical insurance for medical and hospital services resulting from sickness and accident during your stay at UNU-WIDER.
✈️ Visiting scholars may apply for a supplementary grant to cover high travel costs for the part exceeding €1,200 (lowest economy-class fare), provided the ticket is paid by the scholar and no other travel grant is received. The programme does not cover services or expenses related to dependents, and accommodation is arranged by the scholar.
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How to Apply
🖥️ UNU-WIDER only receives online applications, once each year; the application form becomes active one month before the deadline (on 1 September).
📄 In the form, you answer each question in English and upload, as PDFs, your Research Proposal (at the end of part C) and your Curriculum Vitae with a list of principal publications (at the end of part D).
📧 Applications are not accepted by email or post; for technical problems, contact webinfo@wider.unu.edu, and for programme questions scholars1@wider.unu.edu.
After You Apply
📆 Selected applicants are informed by email of the final decision approximately within two months after the closing deadline, and must confirm their decision to take up the offer within two weeks of being contacted.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What qualification do I need? A PhD in economics or a development-related discipline; a good publication record helps.
❓ How long is the stay? A two-to-three-month "sabbatical" at UNU-WIDER in Helsinki.
❓ What does it pay? A monthly stipend of €3,375 plus medical insurance, with a possible supplementary travel grant for high travel costs; dependents' costs are not covered.
❓ How do I apply? Only through the online form (active from 1 September), uploading a research proposal and CV as PDFs.
❓ When is the deadline? 30 September 2026, 23:59 UTC+3.
Deadline
⏳ 30 September 2026, 23:59 UTC+3
Links
🔗 Apply here: https://www2.wider.unu.edu/form/application-visiting-scholars-september-2026
🔗 Official page: https://www.wider.unu.edu/opportunity/visiting-scholars
You'll find more research fellowships and funded academic opportunities, explained in plain language, on Youth Works Hub.
⚠️ Important Notice
Youth Works Hub is not the organiser, partner, or representative of the listed projects. This listing is shared for information only, based on details from the source. Deadlines, eligible countries, dates, and other details may change or be withdrawn at any time, and all funding, reimbursements, and allowances are set by the project coordinator or National Agency. Applications go directly to the coordinator or hosting organisation through the official link. Listings may include third-party links (ESC Portal, infopacks, forms) that Youth Works Hub does not control. Always verify the details on the official project page before applying.
