About this opportunity
The Italy-AOSIS Fellowship Programme is a year long opportunity designed around the specific needs of small island developing states. Fellows work at their United Nations Permanent Mission in New York, receive training on climate change, ocean, environmental protection and sustainable development, and gain real negotiation experience alongside their national delegations and AOSIS at related UN conferences. The idea is capacity that goes home with the fellow: at the end of the programme, fellows return to their countries with skills they continue to use in government work.
The support is practical and clearly defined. Fellows receive a monthly stipend of $5,000 USD, out of which housing costs are covered, a fixed settling-in allowance of $5,000, a roundtrip economy airfare ticket to New York City, a laptop for use while an AOSIS Fellow, comprehensive health insurance, and a travel budget to cover attendance at major international meetings. Training also includes media skills for communicating with a broader international audience, plus participation in important international conferences.
The application route is different from most fellowships, and this is where candidates lose time. All applications must be submitted by the Permanent Mission to the United Nations of your country of nationality, so your first step is to contact your Mission rather than building a file in isolation. The Mission sends a completed application form with a Note Verbale endorsing you, and your written sample, passport biodata page and one page standardised CV, all in English. Only applications submitted by the Mission with every material included will be considered.
Candidates must be nationals of an AOSIS country, aged 25 to 32 at the beginning of the programme, hold a degree in a relevant field, and have one to three years of experience, with a maximum of five, in a national government or a regional or international organisation. The programme begins in New York in February 2027 and the
Application timeline
is Friday 20 November 2026 at 11:59 PM EST. Worth knowing before you write a word: all submissions are screened for artificial intelligence use, and detection of AI-generated content may result in disqualification.
What you receive
- A monthly stipend of $5,000 USD, out of which housing costs are covered
- A fixed settling-in allowance of $5,000
- A roundtrip economy airfare ticket to New York City
- A laptop computer for use while an AOSIS Fellow
- Comprehensive health insurance
- A travel budget to cover the costs of attending major international meetings
- Training on law, policy and science issues covering climate change, environmental protection, sustainable development and ocean issues
- Media training to communicate with a broader international audience
- Real world negotiation experience at the United Nations alongside your national delegation and AOSIS
- A one year placement working at your UN Permanent Mission in New York, beginning February 2027
Who can apply
- A national of an AOSIS member country
- Aged 25 to 32 at the beginning of the Fellowship Programme
- A degree in a relevant field such as international relations, international law, environment, climate change, sustainable development, fisheries, ocean affairs or finance
- One to three years of experience, with a maximum of five years, working in a national government or a regional or international organisation
- A commitment to work in your national government following completion of the Fellowship
- Discretion and sound judgement in dealing with politically sensitive issues in a diplomatic environment
- An excellent academic record and strong writing skills
- Proficiency in written and spoken English
- Nomination and submission by the Permanent Mission to the United Nations of your country of nationality
Who should not apply
- Individuals cannot submit their applications directly, only the applicant's Permanent Mission can
- Applications without a Note Verbale from the Permanent Mission are not considered
- Incomplete packages that are missing any required material are not considered
- Submissions in a language other than English are not accepted
- Applications in which AI-generated content is detected may be disqualified
- Nationals of countries outside AOSIS, and candidates outside the stated age and experience range, do not meet the requirements
Documents to prepare
- Completed application form, submitted by your Permanent Mission
- Note Verbale from the Permanent Mission endorsing the applicant, confirming inclusion in national delegations for international meetings including UNFCCC negotiations, guaranteeing and as appropriate committing to seek post-fellowship government employment, and confirming the Mission's agreement to fulfil its responsibilities under the Italy-AOSIS Fellowship Agreement
- Written sample of no longer than three pages answering what unique background, experience or expertise you bring, and what work you hope to pursue after the Fellowship to support your government's engagement on climate change, environmental protection, sustainable development and ocean matters
- Clear copy of the biodata page from a passport that is valid and will not expire within 18 months of the 2027 Fellowship start date
- Standardised Curriculum Vitae of no longer than one page, detailing personal information such as date of birth, age, gender and language fluency, education with full degree names, university names and month and year attained, and government or intergovernmental experience with job titles, entities and month and year start and end
- All materials submitted in English
How to apply
- Read the official fellowship pages at https://aosis.org/fellowship/ and review the Fellowship Candidate Requirements before you begin
- Contact the Permanent Mission to the United Nations of your country of nationality in New York and ask about the nomination process, since your Mission must submit the application
- Ask your Mission to prepare the Note Verbale endorsing you and confirming your inclusion in national delegations and their responsibilities under the Italy-AOSIS Fellowship Agreement
- Write your three page sample answering both questions in your own words, knowing that submissions are screened for AI-generated content
- Prepare your one page standardised CV with personal details, education with months and years, and government or intergovernmental experience
- Provide a clear copy of your passport biodata page, from a passport valid beyond 18 months after the February 2027 start
- Have your Permanent Mission send the completed application form and all required materials to fellowship@aosis.org
- Confirm with your Mission that the full package was submitted before Friday 20 November 2026 at 11:59 PM EST
- If your application is complete and eligible, wait to be contacted individually to arrange a recorded video interview
Selection process
- Sponsoring Missions nominate one Fellow from among their nationals through their UN Permanent Mission
- Only eligible applications submitted by the applicant's Permanent Mission, with all required materials included, are considered for the programme
- Following the submission of a complete application, candidates are individually contacted to arrange a recorded video interview
- All submissions are screened for the use of artificial intelligence, and detection of AI-generated content may result in disqualification
- Fellows are expected to work full time under the direction of the AOSIS Fellowship Director and their Mission, attend all Fellowship meetings and trainings in New York, and participate actively in international meetings including priority areas for AOSIS
- Missions accredit the Fellow to their Mission and to national delegations attending UNFCCC, BBNJ and other negotiations in which AOSIS participates, secure a US G-1 visa, and provide workspace and supervision in New York
Sources and verification
Related opportunities
- Unearthodox Exploration Co-Lab 2027 for Systems Innovators
A 10 month online incubation programme, running from 1 March to 31 December 2027, for innovators working on the deeper causes of nature and society challenges. Selected initiatives receive a CHF 10,000 grant plus tailored support worth up to an estimated CHF 60,000. Applications close 16 November 2026 at 11:59 PM GMT plus 1.
- Youth Ecopreneur Programme (YECO) 2026/27 for Young Green Founders
A global programme from the International Trade Centre's Ye! Community that gives young founders under 35 a ten week bootcamp, an accelerator with equity free seed funding of up to $100,000 USD for land restoration, coaching from business experts and a $10,000 USD award prize.
- CGIAR++ PhD Scholarship 2026 for Doctoral Research in Germany
The CGIAR++ Science and Impact Hub is seeking 10 PhD candidates for its 2026 scholarship call. Doctoral research is hosted by a CGIAR++ Center and enrolled at a German university, with joint supervision arranged before you apply. Applications close on 30 November 2026.
- MOPGA 2027 Visiting Fellowship in France for Early Career Environmental Researchers
MOPGA 2027 funds a 12 month research stay in a French laboratory for early career researchers from outside France who work on climate, energy, earth systems, sustainability and One Health. The fellowship pays a monthly allowance of EUR 2,500 plus a EUR 500 settling-in allowance, and applications close on 15 December 2026.
Questions applicants ask
Can I apply on my own?
No. Applications must be submitted by the Permanent Mission to the United Nations of your country of nationality, so you should contact your Mission first. The Mission sends the completed application form and materials to fellowship@aosis.org.
How much does the fellowship pay?
Fellows receive a monthly stipend of $5,000 USD, and housing costs are to be covered from that stipend. There is also a fixed settling-in allowance of $5,000.
What else is covered?
A roundtrip economy airfare ticket to New York City, a laptop for use as an AOSIS Fellow, comprehensive health insurance, and a travel budget to cover the costs of attending major international meetings.
Who is eligible?
Nationals of an AOSIS country aged 25 to 32 at the start of the programme, holding a degree in a relevant field, with one to three years of experience and a maximum of five years in a national government or a regional or international organisation, who commit to working in their national government afterwards.
When does the fellowship run?
The one year programme begins in New York in February 2027.
What is the deadline?
Friday 20 November 2026 at 11:59 PM EST.
Is there an interview?
Yes. After a complete application is submitted, candidates are individually contacted to arrange a recorded video interview.
Can I use AI to write my application?
All submissions are screened for the use of artificial intelligence, and the detection of AI-generated content may result in the disqualification of your application.
Important disclaimer
Nextali researches and curates useful opportunities to make discovery easier. Before applying, verify every timeline, requirement, fee and application link on the official provider website. Do your own research into the organisation, its background and the authenticity of the offer. Nextali does not guarantee selection, funding or the conduct of third party providers.
