The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has opened applications for its Fellows Programme 2026, offering highly qualified researchers, PhD candidates, and academic professionals the opportunity to contribute to global agriculture, food security, climate resilience, and sustainable development initiatives.
The programme is designed to attract talented individuals with advanced technical knowledge who wish to pursue specialized learning objectives while contributing their expertise to FAO through time-bound assignments. Fellows work alongside international experts on projects that support FAO’s Strategic Framework and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Although the programme does not provide a salary, many fellows participate through fully funded arrangements supported by universities, governments, research institutions, or external scholarship providers.
About the FAO Fellows Programme
The FAO Fellows Programme enables experienced researchers and postgraduate scholars to gain practical experience within one of the world’s leading international organizations working to eliminate hunger, improve nutrition, strengthen food systems, and promote sustainable agriculture.
Assignments are tailored to both the fellow’s professional learning objectives and FAO’s operational priorities, creating a mutually beneficial collaboration that advances global development goals.
FAO Fully Funded Agriculture and Food Security Fellowship Applications Open in 2026
Fellowship Areas
Successful fellows may contribute to projects across a broad range of technical fields, including:
- Agriculture
- Food Security
- Climate Change Adaptation
- Sustainable Development
- Natural Resource Management
- Forestry
- Fisheries and Aquaculture
- Animal Health
- Plant Protection
- Rural Development
- Agricultural Economics
- Food Systems
- Nutrition
- Biodiversity Conservation
- Water Resources Management
- Environmental Sustainability
- Digital Agriculture
- Agricultural Innovation
- Disaster Risk Reduction
- Sustainable Livelihoods
Assignments are aligned with FAO’s Strategic Framework and organizational priorities.
Fellowship Objectives
The programme aims to:
- Strengthen international technical cooperation
- Support evidence-based agricultural development
- Promote innovation in food and agriculture
- Advance research contributing to sustainable food systems
- Enhance global food security initiatives
- Build professional capacity among researchers and specialists
- Encourage knowledge exchange between FAO and academic institutions
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must satisfy the following requirements:
Nationality
Applicants must be nationals of one of the FAO Member Countries.
Education
Candidates must:
- Hold a Master’s degree or PhD, or
- Be currently enrolled in a PhD programme.
Applicants should possess advanced academic knowledge relevant to FAO’s areas of work.
Professional Experience
Candidates should have:
- At least two years of relevant professional or research experience in a field related to FAO’s mandate.
Experience may include research, academic work, technical projects, policy development, or professional practice.
Language Requirements
Applicants must have a working knowledge of at least one FAO official language:
- English
- French
- Spanish
- Arabic
- Chinese
- Russian
Knowledge of a second FAO official language is considered an advantage.
Age
There are no age restrictions for the Fellows Programme.
Skills
Applicants should demonstrate:
- Strong analytical and research abilities
- Excellent communication skills
- Ability to work in multicultural and international environments
- Good computer literacy
- Professional integrity and teamwork skills
Family Restrictions
Applicants are not eligible if they have immediate family members (father, mother, brother, sister, son, or daughter) employed by FAO under any contractual arrangement.
Fellowship Duration
Assignments are offered through time-bound arrangements, with the duration depending on:
- Project requirements
- Learning objectives
- Host division needs
- Available funding arrangements
Funding Information
The FAO Fellows Programme itself does not provide remuneration.
However, many participants undertake fellowships through:
- Government scholarships
- University sponsorship
- Research grants
- International fellowship funding
- External sponsoring organizations
Applicants are encouraged to secure external financial support where applicable.
Benefits of the Programme
Participants will have the opportunity to:
- Work with leading international experts
- Contribute to global food security initiatives
- Gain practical experience within the United Nations system
- Apply advanced research to real-world development challenges
- Expand professional networks
- Strengthen technical and policy expertise
- Enhance career prospects in international development
- Support the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals
Areas of Contribution
Depending on their expertise, fellows may support:
- Research projects
- Technical analysis
- Agricultural policy development
- Programme implementation
- Data collection and analysis
- Climate resilience initiatives
- Sustainable resource management
- Food systems transformation
- Capacity development activities
- Knowledge sharing and innovation
How to Apply
Interested candidates should apply through the FAO Careers Portal by submitting an online application under the Call for Expression of Interest.
Applicants are required to submit:
- Completed online application
- Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Research proposal outlining their intended contribution and learning objectives
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Candidates who are not selected before the current call closes may submit a new application when the next Call for Expression of Interest is published.
Why Apply?
The FAO Fellows Programme offers a unique opportunity to combine advanced academic knowledge with practical international experience. Fellows collaborate with multidisciplinary teams tackling some of the world’s most pressing challenges, including hunger, food insecurity, environmental sustainability, and climate resilience.
Whether pursuing careers in academia, international organizations, research institutions, or government, participants gain valuable exposure to global agricultural development and evidence-based policymaking.
Conclusion
The FAO Fellows Programme 2026 is an outstanding opportunity for Master’s graduates, PhD students, researchers, and professors seeking international experience in agriculture, food security, environmental sustainability, and rural development. Through meaningful collaboration with FAO experts, fellows contribute to projects that support sustainable food systems while strengthening their own professional and research capabilities.
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