UNU-WIDER — the United Nations University's development-economics institute in Helsinki — brings registered PhD students to its Helsinki institute for three fully-funded months to work on their dissertations with WIDER researchers. Fellows get EUR 2,070/month, a travel grant and medical insurance, present a seminar on their findings, and can publish in the WIDER Working Paper Series.
Why it is notable: a UN fellowship that funds YOUR OWN dissertation research (not a taught course) with a top development-economics institute — and the online form only goes live one month before each deadline, so most people discover it too late.
Funding at a glance
What it covers
EUR 2,070/month stipend for living expenses in Helsinki (3 months)
Travel grant covering travel to/from the PhD-granting institution or country of residence
Medical insurance (medical and hospital services from sickness/accident during the stay)
Full access to UNU-WIDER research resources, data and facilities in Helsinki
Collaboration with WIDER researchers on shared interests
Seminar presentation of research findings + opportunity to publish in the WIDER Working Paper Series
Eligibility criteria
Qualification Required
Masters/MPhilfor PhD
This scholarship is offered for PhD programs.
Who can apply
doctoral students from around the world; applications from qualified female researchers and scholars from developing nations are particularly encouraged; submissions on topics related to the UNU-WIDER work programme are particularly welcome
Experience
must be a registered PhD student working on a dissertation — the fellowship develops your thesis research
Language Certificate
working English for research, seminar presentation and paper writing (no specific test named in the official procedure)
Other Certificates
CV uploaded in the online form; PhD supervisor's reference letter emailed by the supervisor to phdreference@wider.unu.edu (doubles as enrolment certification)
Age Limit
No Age Limit
Check your eligibility
Run all three quick checks before reviewing your chosen course's full entry requirements.
1
Country checker
all nationalities (global programme); special encouragement — not restriction — for women and Global South researchers
2
Last degree checker
Choose your highest completed qualification to see which degree level may fit.
3
Course checker
Pick a course to see whether it falls inside this scholarship's scope.
Complete all three checks
Your combined result will appear here.
Based on published eligibility — always confirm on the official page before applying.
Application essentials
Requirements
Review each requirement before you begin the application.
01
Qualification
registered/enrolled PhD student (any country); Global South and women researchers particularly encouraged
02
Research fit
dissertation in development economics; topics in the UNU-WIDER work programme particularly welcome
03
Documents
online form + uploaded CV + supervisor's reference/enrolment letter emailed by the supervisor to phdreference@wider.unu.edu
04
Timing
apply only while the form is live (1–31 March / 1–30 September); no email/postal applications
05
Commitment
confirm the offer within two weeks; spend 3 consecutive months in Helsinki; present a seminar
06
Fee
no application fee
Document checklist
01Online application form (only available 1 March / 1 September each year)
02CV (uploaded in the form)
03PhD supervisor's reference letter + enrolment certification — emailed BY the supervisor to phdreference@wider.unu.edu
Application fee
No fee — completely free
Visa, kept concise: Visa type: Finland — non-EU fellows typically enter on a Schengen visa or a researcher residence permit depending on nationality and stay structure; EU/EEA nationals need none.
Application Procedure
9 steps — follow in order. Each stage prepares the next.
01
Confirm you are a registered PhD student
and your dissertation connects with development economics / the UNU-WIDER work programme.
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02
Draft your CV and clarify the research
paper(s) you would develop during the 3-month visit.
→
03
Ask your PhD supervisor early to send
a confidential reference letter (which also certifies your PhD enrolment) directly to phdreference@wider.unu.edu.
↓
06
During the fellowship
prepare one or more research papers, present a seminar, and optionally publish in the WIDER Working Paper Series.
←
05
Wait for the decision (within about four
weeks of the deadline, by email); if selected, confirm within two weeks.
←
04
When the online form goes live (1
March for the spring round; 1 September for the autumn round), complete and submit it before the deadline — the link is only active for one month.
↓
07
Online application form (only available 1 March
/ 1 September each year)
→
08
CV (uploaded in the form)
→
09
PhD supervisor's reference letter + enrolment certification —
emailed BY the supervisor to phdreference@wider.unu.edu
Application milestones
31 Mar 2027
Application deadline
30 Sep 2027
Application deadline
2027
Intake year
Ready to apply?
Continue on the official United Nations University World Institute for… platform.
When can I apply? A: Twice a year — the form is live 1–31 March (deadline 31 March 23:59 UTC+3) and 1–30 September (deadline 30 September). It is not available outside those windows.Can I email my application? A: No — UNU-WIDER does not receive applications by email or post; only the online form.Who sends the reference letter? A: Your PhD supervisor, directly to phdreference@wider.unu.edu — it also certifies that you are enrolled in a PhD programme.What do fellows actually do in Helsinki? A: Use WIDER's resources for your dissertation, collaborate with researchers, prepare one or more research papers, present a seminar — and you may publish in tDoes it cover my family? A: No — the programme does not provide services or cover expenses related to dependents.How will I know if I'm selected? A: By email, within about four weeks of the deadline; you must confirm within two weeks of being contacted.Is there an age limit? A: No age limit is stated in the official procedure.My topic isn't exactly in the work programme — can I still apply? A: The programme welcomes doctoral students broadly, but submissions related to the UNU-WIDER work programme are particularly welcome
Need document or attestation help?
Detailed attestation guidance stays in Opplore's standalone Guides section, not inside this scholarship page.
Finland · United Nations University World Institute for…
