The Graduate Study Programme (GSP) at UN Geneva is the longest-running educational programme of the United Nations, now in its 60th year. Over the past six decades, the GSP has brought together and trained several thousand young people from over 100 countries on all continents. This two-week long summer seminar provides an opportunity for participants to deepen their understanding of the United Nations and International Geneva through first-hand observations, lectures, research, and visits to Geneva-based institutions.
60th GRADUATE STUDY PROGRAMME
The jubilee 60th Graduate Study Programme will be held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, from Monday, 4 July until Friday, 15 July 2022. It will consist of lectures given by representatives of the United Nations and other Geneva-based international organizations, visits to institutions, and daily work in groups under the guidance of moderators.
The theme of the Graduate Study Programme in 2022 will be:
Agenda 2030 at Halfway: Implementing the SDGs Amidst Global Turbulence
NB: While the organizers hope that the pandemic situation will improve sufficiently by summer 2022 to allow that the 60th GSP take place physically in Geneva, final decision in this regard will be made in the spring. Applicants should bear in mind that, depending on the conditions in Switzerland and globally, the programme might have to take place virtually, as was the case in the past two years. All updates will be published on this page.
- Fluency in spoken and written English is necessary. As some discussions may be held in French (without interpretation), knowledge of French is also needed.
- Applicants must be between 22 and 32 years of age at the time of application.
- Applicants must be enrolled in a master’s degree, a postgraduate degree, or a doctorate programme at the time of application. Proof of enrolment will be required.
- Those who are already employed full time are not eligible to apply.
- Those who have participated in previous Graduate Study Programmes are not eligible to apply.
Students who wish to participate in the 2022 Graduate Study Programme must submit their application online until Friday, 11 March 2022, 12 noon Geneva time. No applications will be accepted after this time.
The application form shall be completed on our website, accompanied by a copy of the applicant’s passport; a letter of recommendation (in English or French) from a university or a governmental authority; a proof of current enrolment (at the time of application) in a master’s degree, a postgraduate degree, or a doctorate programme; and copies of previous university diplomas obtained.
Please note that incomplete applications will be automatically eliminated.
Once selected, successful candidates will be asked ahead of time to provide a medical certificate attesting their good health and a proof of medical insurance coverage in Switzerland for the duration of the GSP. These two documents will be accepted in English or French only.
Participation in the Graduate Study Programme is free of charge. At the same time, please bear in mind that the United Nations does not make any financial contribution towards visa, travel, board and lodging costs of participants. Governments, universities, private foundations, companies, or charities may offer grants to selected candidates.
Participants in the Graduate Study Programme will be selected by a Selection Committee composed of UN Geneva officials with various backgrounds and professional experiences.
The Selection Committee is guided by the following criteria:
• Academic background and achievements
• Extracurricular activities
• Geographical balance
• Gender balance
• Knowledge of the two working languages of the Programme (fluency in English, knowledge of French)
• Usefulness of the Programme for a prospective career of the applicant
Applications are considered on a case-by-case basis. The Selection Committee does not disclose the motivation of its choices. Decisions of the Selection Committee are final and cannot be appealed.
Candidates will be notified of the Selection Committee's decision via email by Friday, 22 April 2022.
