Every year, the United Nations opens its doors to a small group of researchers, academics and professionals through the FAO Fellows Programme. It is one of the few global fellowships where you work inside a UN agency on real problems — food security, sustainable farming, fisheries and nutrition — while building a professional network that spans continents.
If you are a PhD student, a researcher or a subject expert with a couple of years of experience, this guide walks you through everything the FAO Fellows Programme 2026 involves: who can apply, what documents you need, how the selection works, and the honest truth about funding, because this is one fellowship that does not pay a salary.
Read carefully before you apply. The programme is competitive, the application is online and free, and a strong research proposal matters most in your file.
What Is the FAO Fellows Programme?
The FAO Fellows Programme is a time-bound fellowship run by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. It is designed for people who already have advanced technical or research expertise — typically doctoral students, researchers and professors — and want to apply that knowledge inside an international organization.
Unlike a regular job, a fellowship assignment is built around two goals at once. You contribute your specialized skills to FAO’s work — research, policy analysis, technical programmes — while also pursuing your own learning objectives under the supervision of an assigned FAO specialist.
FAO Fellows Programme 2026: Quick Overview
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Programme name | FAO Fellows Programme 2026 |
| Organization | Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations |
| Programme type | International research fellowship |
| Duration | Time-bound assignments of up to 11 months |
| Location | FAO Headquarters in Rome or regional, sub-regional, country and liaison offices worldwide |
| Who can apply | Nationals of FAO Member countries |
| Education required | Master’s or PhD degree, or current enrolment in a PhD programme |
| Experience required | Minimum two years of relevant working or research experience |
| Remuneration | Not paid — fellows must be fully sponsored by an external entity |
| Application mode | Online through the FAO recruitment portal |
| Application fee | None |
About the Food and Agriculture Organization
The Food and Agriculture Organization leads international efforts to defeat hunger and support development in member countries across agriculture, fisheries and forestry. Its mandate is to raise nutrition levels, improve agricultural productivity, better the lives of rural populations and contribute to the growth of the world economy.
FAO works in more than 130 countries, so fellows can be placed in many different offices — headquarters in Rome, a regional office covering an entire continent, or a country office working directly with national programmes. Placement depends on where your profile fits and where the organization needs expertise.
Why Researchers Choose the FAO Fellows Programme
This fellowship is not about a paycheque — it is about access. Here is what makes it genuinely attractive to researchers:
- Real UN experience: You work inside the United Nations system, learning how international policy and technical programmes are actually built.
- Global challenges: Your research touches food security, climate resilience, fisheries and rural development — problems that matter.
- World-class network: You collaborate with leading international experts, policymakers and researchers from dozens of countries.
- Research with impact: Academic work here feeds into real-world projects, not just journals.
- Career acceleration: Alumni of UN fellowships consistently move into international organizations, academia and development agencies.
- Knowledge resources: Fellows get access to FAO’s data, libraries, networks and technical communities.
Fields of Work Open to Fellows
Fellows are assigned to fields matching their profile and the organization’s needs. Relevant areas include:
- Food security and nutrition
- Sustainable agriculture and crop production
- Livestock, fisheries and aquaculture
- Forestry and natural resource management
- Rural development and livelihoods
- Climate change resilience and adaptation
- Agricultural policy, economics and trade
- Food systems, value chains and food safety
- Land and water management
- Statistics, data analysis and digital agriculture
FAO Fellows Programme Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility is strict and checked at screening, so confirm every point before spending time on the application:
Nationality
You must be a national of an FAO Member country. All FAO Member States are covered — check the current member list if you are unsure about your country’s status.
Education
You need a graduate or postgraduate degree — a Master’s or PhD — or be currently enrolled in a PhD programme at a genuine educational institution recognized in the IAU/UNESCO database at the time of application. Your field of specialization must be relevant to FAO’s mission and work.
Professional experience
A minimum of two years of relevant working or research experience is required, in one of the organization’s fields. This can include research, academic work, technical projects, policy development or professional practice. Your record should show you can contribute effectively, not just learn.
Language skills
You must have working knowledge of at least one FAO official language: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian or Spanish. Knowledge of a second official language is considered an asset and strengthens your file.
Other conditions
- There are no age limits — qualified candidates at any career stage can apply.
- Candidates with immediate family members employed by FAO under any contractual arrangement are not eligible.
- Selected candidates must hold appropriate residence or immigration status in the country of assignment before joining.
- Qualified female applicants and nationals of under-represented member countries, low-income food-deficit countries, least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing states are especially encouraged to apply.
Is the FAO Fellows Programme Paid? Funding Explained
Here is the fact every applicant must understand: the FAO Fellows Programme does not provide any remuneration. It is an unfunded fellowship. Fellows are expected to be fully sponsored by an external entity, and the sponsoring institution’s name must be stated in the application.
Common funding routes fellows use include government scholarships, university sponsorship, research grants, international fellowship funding and sponsoring organizations. If you cannot secure external financial support, this fellowship is not financially viable for you — and it is better to know that before you apply than after you are selected.
On the positive side, the programme charges no fees at any stage — not for the application, the interview or any processing. If anyone asks you for money in connection with this fellowship, it is a scam.
Documents You Need for Your Application
Prepare these before the call’s closing date — incomplete applications are not considered:
- Online application form — completed in the FAO recruitment portal
- Research proposal — the single most important document; it must explain the work you want to undertake and how it connects to FAO’s areas of work
- Updated curriculum vitae (CV) — academic and professional, with publications and projects
- Proof of academic qualifications — degrees and certificates
- Cover letter or statement of interest — your motivation and fit
- Language information — evidence of working knowledge of at least one FAO official language
- Sponsorship details — the name of the external entity funding your participation
How to Apply for the FAO Fellows Programme 2026
Applications run through an open Call for Expression of Interest on FAO’s recruitment portal. Follow these steps:
- Find the current call: Go to the FAO careers/recruitment portal and locate the Fellows Programme call for expression of interest. Read the full announcement, including the closing date.
- Check your eligibility: Confirm nationality, degree, the two-year experience minimum, language knowledge and the family-employment rule.
- Write your research proposal: Draft a clear proposal tied to FAO’s Strategic Framework and the Sustainable Development Goals. This is what reviewers read first — make it specific, feasible and relevant.
- Arrange your sponsorship: Secure your external funding or scholarship and note the sponsoring institution’s name for the application.
- Complete the online application: Fill in the portal form carefully and upload every required document before the deadline.
- Submit early: Do not wait for the final day. Portal traffic and document issues cause missed deadlines every cycle.
- Re-apply if needed: If you are not selected before a call closes, you can apply again to a new call with an improved proposal.
How Fellows Are Selected
Selection is competitive and based on a review of applications submitted through the portal. Reviewers assess academic qualifications, the quality and relevance of the research proposal, technical expertise, professional experience, motivation and communication skills. Only shortlisted candidates are contacted — keep improving and re-apply.
The strongest proposals share three traits: they address a real FAO priority area, they are achievable within a time-bound assignment, and they show the applicant brings something the organization does not already have in-house.
What Fellows Actually Do Day to Day
Each fellow receives Terms of Reference prepared by the hiring office before the assignment begins, and reports to an assigned supervisor. Typical tasks include:
- Supporting technical and research work within FAO programmes
- Contributing specialized expertise in the fellow’s field
- Conducting research activities, policy analysis and data analysis
- Preparing technical reports and analytical documents
- Assisting with programme planning, monitoring and evaluation
- Participating in meetings and collaborating with international experts
7 Tips to Strengthen Your Application
- Lead with the proposal: Spend most of your effort on the research proposal. A generic proposal is the most common reason for rejection.
- Align with FAO priorities: Name the specific FAO strategic objectives or SDG targets your work supports.
- Show, don’t claim: Cite publications, datasets, field projects or policy work that prove your expertise.
- Be specific about placement value: Explain what the hiring office gains from your assignment, not just what you gain.
- Demonstrate language ability: Document your FAO-language proficiency clearly; a second language is a real advantage.
- Proofread everything: Errors in a research fellowship application signal carelessness to reviewers.
- Apply well before the deadline: Early, complete applications avoid the technical failures that sink last-minute files.
Staying Safe: Watch Out for Recruitment Scams
Prestigious UN programmes attract scammers. Protect yourself with these rules:
- FAO never charges fees at any stage — application, interview or processing. Any payment request is fraud.
- Apply only through the official FAO recruitment portal. Do not send documents or money to agents, middlemen or unofficial email addresses claiming to secure your selection.
- No one can guarantee selection. Anyone promising a guaranteed fellowship in exchange for payment is lying.
- Check email addresses carefully. Official FAO communication comes from fao.org domains, not free email services.
- Never share bank details or passport scans with unverified contacts during the application stage.
Career Paths After the Fellowship
The fellowship is a launchpad, not a destination. Former fellows typically move into roles at international organizations, UN agencies, research institutes, universities, development banks and NGOs working on food systems and sustainability. The combination of a UN assignment on your CV, published-quality research output and a global professional network is exactly what recruiters in international development look for.
For more international opportunities in the same spirit, see our Internships section and the OECD Internship Programme guide, plus the wider International Jobs listings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the FAO Fellows Programme?
It is a time-bound research fellowship run by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization for PhD students, researchers and professors from FAO Member countries. Fellows contribute technical expertise to FAO’s work while pursuing specialized learning objectives.
Who can apply for the FAO Fellows Programme 2026?
Nationals of FAO Member countries who hold a Master’s or PhD (or are enrolled in a PhD programme), have at least two years of relevant experience, and have working knowledge of at least one FAO official language.
Is the FAO Fellows Programme paid or fully funded?
No. FAO does not provide remuneration to fellows. Participants must be fully sponsored by an external entity such as a government scholarship, university or research grant, and the sponsor’s name goes in the application.
How long does the fellowship last?
Assignments are time-bound and last up to 11 months, depending on project requirements, learning objectives and the host office’s needs.
Where are fellows placed?
Fellows may be placed at FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy, or in regional, sub-regional, country and liaison offices around the world, depending on the assignment.
Is previous UN experience required?
No. Previous UN experience is not required. What matters is advanced technical knowledge, relevant experience and a strong, well-aligned research proposal.
Can early-career researchers apply?
Yes, provided they meet the minimum requirements — a relevant postgraduate degree and at least two years of relevant working or research experience. There is no age limit.
The FAO Fellows Programme 2026 is a rare chance to do research that feeds directly into global food and agriculture policy. It demands strong credentials, a sharp proposal and your own funding — but for the right researcher, few lines on a CV carry more weight than a fellowship inside the United Nations.