United Nations Youth for Biosecurity Fellowship 2023 Program

United Nations Youth for Biosecurity Fellowship 2023 Program

The global norm against biological weapons cannot be maintained without youth voices  being  included  in the multilateral discussions taking place in the framework of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC). Youth perspectives are key to create innovative solutions and generate long-term engagement. There are particular benefits to including the perspectives of young people from developing countries, where most of the world’s youth is concentrated.

Organized by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs in Geneva in partnership with key international actors empowering youth in science diplomacy and global biosecurity, the Youth for Biosecurity Fellowship provides a unique learning and networking experience into multilateral discussions taking place in the framework of the Biological Weapons Convention in Geneva.

Launched in 2019 as a Biosecurity Diplomacy Workshop, the Youth for Biosecurity Initiative is for the first time in 2023 providing the opportunity for 15 young scientists from the Global South to join an online interactive training programme prior to a field visit during the meeting of the BWC Working Group on the Strengthening of the Convention in Geneva.

The Fellowship aims at allowing young biosecurity leaders from the Global South to:

  • Learn & lead -> deepen your expertise in biosecurity and disarmament to build leadership skills
  • Think & act -> engage in discussions with senior experts and make your voice heard in the margins of multilateral disarmament meetings
  • Engage with community -> connect with young experts, join an international youth network and enjoy a space for dialogue between young scientists and BWC practitioners including diplomats and experts.

Learn more about the Youth for Biosecurity Initiative

Do you have specific questions? Read our FAQs below

Check out below if you can be a candidate and APPLY before 29 March 2023

Who can Apply – United Nations Youth for Biosecurity Fellowship 2023 Program

To be eligible to apply, prospective fellows must:

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. The selection process will be guided by the need to ensure the highest quality of participants while maintaining a gender and regional balance.

Join the Youth for Biosecurity Fellowship if you…
  • Are passionate about and have experience in biosafety, biosecurity, disarmament and non-proliferation or youth involvement and want to understand your key role against the misuse of biological agents
  • Are willing to learn more about the Biological Weapons Convention and its critical role for disarmament and health security
  • Believe that young people can be a force for positive change and want to play an active and forward-looking role in building a more peaceful and secure world
  • Want to get an insider view into how science diplomacy happens in multilateral disarmament meetings

Programme overview

The Fellowship runs over a 3-month period and requires a minimal time commitment to accommodate fellows’ work or academic schedules. Activities include:

  • An Online Biosecurity Diplomacy Workshop from 24 May to 28 June with approximately one session (two to three hours) per week
  • An online briefing on the Working Group on the Strengthening of the Convention in July 2023
  • A five-day field visit in Geneva from 7 to 11 August 2023 during the meetings of the BWC Working Group on the Strengthening of the Convention

Your commitment as a Youth for Biosecurity fellow

  • Participate in all online sessions and in the field visit [the fellows are responsible for obtaining the relevant authorizations from their employer or universities].
  • Engage actively in all the Fellowship’s activities – the Fellowship is an interactive and participative experience and relies on the fellows’ active participation
  • Make time in your schedule to adequately prepare for all sessions and discussions – the course will be fairly intensive and prior preparation will be key to the fellows’ active participation.

Here is what you will benefit from:

  • Fully funded visit to Geneva during the Meeting of the Working Group on the strengthening of the Convention
  • One month of pre-Working Group online workshop in the lead up to the field visit
  • Small group interactions with leading experts in disarmament and nonproliferation, biosecurity, biosafety, and health security
  • Opportunities to meet, collaborate and network with fellow young scientists, diplomats, experts, civil society organizations and other international youth-driven networks
  • Be part of a growing network of early-career professional in biosecurity

All applicants must provide all requested documents and information listed on the application page (link to application page)

If you have any questions or experience any difficulties with your application, feel free to contact Mr. Remi Bacouillard, from the project team, at remi.bacouillard@un.org