UNITED NATIONS UNIVERSITY (UNU), OFFICE OF THE RECTOR
United Nations University Junior Fellows Internship
living only · masters
- Monthly living stipendFinancial support
- Twice a yearIntake frequency
- Based in Tokyo, JapanLocation
- All nationalitiesEligibility
- 9:30 to 17:30, Mon to FriWorking hours
- ~¥80,000 / month (est.)Estimated stipend
At a glance
living only
Funding
€5k
Max amount
Jun 30, 2027
Deadline
Open to all nationalities
Country
United Nations University (UNU), Office of the Rector
Provider
The United Nations University (UNU) Junior Fellows Internship places graduate-level students and young professionals in the Office of the Rector at the UNU headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, for one academic term. The programme runs twice a year, in parallel with most university semesters: the fall term begins in mid-August and runs to mid-December, while the spring term runs from late January to early June. Junior Fellows support the Office of the Rector with administrative research and writing, planning, event and meeting coordination, editorial work, and communications, gaining in-depth experience inside a UN agency. UNU has served for more than 40 years as a source of impartial research on global issues, with over 400 researchers based in 13 countries and work spanning all 17 Sustainable Development Goals, and it has built over 200 partnerships with UN agencies and research institutions. Fellows are open to all nationalities and may be considered regardless of their current location. They work full-time during regular university hours of 9:30 to 17:30, Monday to Friday, with weekends and UNU holidays off and 1.5 days of leave per month. UNU pays a monthly stipend to interns who do not receive support from other sources, set according to the duty-station rate, to partially subsidise basic living costs; it also provides office space and free access to the headquarters library and gym. Because the stipend rate and term dates are confirmed by UNU each cycle, check the exact current figures and the application deadline on the official UNU employment page before you apply.
What's covered
- Monthly stipend — A monthly stipend set at the Tokyo duty-station rate is paid to interns without other funding, estimated at around ~¥80,000 (est.) per month to partially subsidise living costs.
- Office space and facilities — On-site interns receive appropriate office space and facilities at the UNU headquarters in Shibuya, Tokyo.
- Library and gym access — Free on-site and online access to the headquarters' library and to the gym where available, an in-kind benefit estimated at ~¥10,000 (est.) per month.
- Leave entitlement — Junior Fellows are entitled to 1.5 days of leave per month, plus weekends and official UNU holidays.
- Professional experience — Hands-on experience across research, events, and communications inside a UN agency, with a one-week orientation on arrival.
How to apply
Applications are submitted online through the UNU employment portal ahead of each term's deadline.
- Review the vacancy — Find the Junior Fellows Internship listing for the relevant term on the UNU employment page and read the requirements.
- Prepare your documents — Assemble your CV, a cover or motivation letter, and academic records demonstrating your graduate-level study and interest in the UN.
- Complete the online application — Fill in the online application form with accurate personal and academic details for the chosen term.
- Submit your application — Upload all documents and submit the application before the term's closing date.
- Attend selection — Shortlisted candidates are contacted by UNU and may be interviewed before final selection for the term.
Eligibility
Academic levelMust be a graduate-level student or young professional in a relevant field.
InterestMust have a keen interest in the work of the United Nations, particularly UNU.
NationalityOpen to applicants of any nationality; candidates may be considered regardless of current location.
CommitmentMust be available to work full-time during university hours (9:30 to 17:30, Monday to Friday) for the term.
Most work is conducted at the UNU headquarters in Tokyo, though some remote work may be possible. Remote Junior Fellows must have access to a personal laptop or desktop and a reliable internet connection throughout the internship.
Eligible countries
Open to all nationalities
Deadlines
2026 fall term~30 June 2026 (est.)
2027 spring term~October 2026 (est.)
Selection
The Office of the Rector selects Junior Fellows through a competitive process held twice a year, assessing academic background, interest in and knowledge of the United Nations and UNU, relevant skills in research, coordination, and communications, and alignment with the UN core values of inclusion, integrity, humility, and humanity. Shortlisted candidates may be interviewed before the final decision for the term.
Verified sources
- United Nations University Employmentunu.eduofficial
About the provider
The United Nations University (UNU) is the academic and research arm of the United Nations, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. For more than 40 years it has produced impartial, policy-relevant research on global issues, with over 400 researchers in 13 countries working across all 17 Sustainable Development Goals and more than 200 partnerships with UN agencies and research institutions.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
Who can apply for the UNU Junior Fellows Internship?
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Graduate-level students and young professionals of any nationality with a keen interest in the work of the United Nations and UNU.
Where is the internship based?
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Mainly at the UNU headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, though some remote work may be possible.
How often is the programme offered?
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Twice a year, with a fall term from mid-August to mid-December and a spring term from late January to early June.
Is there a stipend?
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Yes. UNU pays a monthly stipend, set at the Tokyo duty-station rate, to interns who do not receive support from other sources, to partially subsidise living costs.
What are the working hours?
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Full-time during university hours, 9:30 to 17:30, Monday to Friday, with weekends and official UNU holidays off.
How much leave do Junior Fellows get?
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Junior Fellows are entitled to 1.5 days of leave per month.
Can I apply from outside Japan?
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Yes. Applicants may be considered regardless of their current location, and some remote work may be possible.
What will I work on?
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Administrative research and writing, planning, event and meeting coordination, editorial support, and communications for the Office of the Rector.
Are there facilities for interns?
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On-site Junior Fellows get office space and free access to the headquarters' library and gym where available.
What documents do I need?
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A CV, a cover or motivation letter, academic transcripts or proof of graduate-level enrolment, and evidence of relevant skills.
What values does UNU expect?
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The UN core values of inclusion, integrity, humility, and humanity are expected of all those working within the organisation.
When is the deadline?
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Deadlines fall ahead of each term; the 2026 fall term is estimated at 30 June 2026, so confirm the exact date on the official UNU employment page.