WTO Youth Talent Incubator Programme 2026–2027: Call for Young Researchers and Professionals in Trade and Gender

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has opened nominations for the second edition of the WTO Youth Talent Incubator Programme, a global initiative designed to support the next generation of researchers and professionals working at the intersection of international trade, gender equality and women’s economic empowerment.

Running from 12 October 2026 to 30 June 2027, the programme offers young talent an opportunity to strengthen their expertise through mentoring, capacity building, applied learning and international networking. Participants will have opportunities to engage with global experts, WTO Members and other stakeholders working on trade and gender issues.

The programme is particularly relevant for young researchers whose academic or professional work already addresses trade and gender, as well as those seeking to incorporate these issues into their current research or policy work.

About the WTO Youth Talent Incubator Programme

The Youth Talent Incubator Programme was developed from the momentum generated by the World Trade Congress on Gender, which was first held at the WTO in December 2022. The Congress brought together leading experts working on trade and gender research and created opportunities for researchers and policymakers to exchange knowledge and establish partnerships.

The initiative subsequently contributed to the Youth Trade Summit on Gender, held in November 2023, which brought together 50 young professionals from academic institutions, research centres, think tanks and government authorities from around the world.

The Summit gave young researchers and early-career professionals opportunities to interact with WTO member delegations, senior researchers and international stakeholders on topics including women’s economic empowerment and the relationship between gender and international trade.

The first Youth Talent Incubator Programme was launched in July 2024. Over an eleven-month period, participants developed their knowledge and professional skills through mentorship, applied policy research, training and networking. The outcomes of that programme were presented to the WTO Informal Working Group on Trade and Gender in December 2025.

Building on these achievements, the second edition will run from 12 October 2026 to 30 June 2027.

What the Programme Focuses On

The WTO Youth Talent Incubator Programme is built around three main pillars:

1. Mentoring

Participants will benefit from engagement with experienced researchers, experts and professionals in the trade and gender field.

Mentoring is intended to help young participants develop their ideas, strengthen their professional direction and deepen their understanding of how trade and gender issues are addressed in research and policymaking.

2. Capacity Building

The programme provides opportunities for participants to strengthen their technical knowledge and professional skills related to trade and gender.

This is particularly valuable for young researchers and professionals who want to connect academic research with practical policy challenges and evidence-based solutions.

3. Networking

Participants will have opportunities to build connections with global experts, WTO Members and other international and regional stakeholders.

The networking component can help participants expand their professional networks and become more connected to the global trade and gender community.

Why Trade and Gender Matter

The programme comes at a time when governments, international organisations and other public and private stakeholders increasingly recognise the relationship between women’s economic empowerment, international trade and sustainable development.

Improving women’s participation in international trade requires not only policy action but also strong research and evidence. Researchers play an important role by examining existing challenges, identifying inequalities and developing evidence-based approaches that policymakers can use.

The WTO has progressively integrated gender considerations into its work since 2017 through political commitments, technical policy work, research, capacity building and practical trade-policy tools.

In 2020, the WTO Informal Working Group on Trade and Gender was established. According to the call, the group now represents more than 80% of WTO membership and has become the main platform within the WTO for discussions on trade and gender.

The WTO’s work in this area has continued to develop through successive Ministerial Conferences. At the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference in March 2026, the Informal Working Group achieved several member-led outcomes, including:

• A joint statement on strengthening the global trading system through women’s economic empowerment.
• An achievements tracking compendium documenting gender-responsive trade initiatives since 2020.
• A new initiative, developed with the Informal Working Group on MSMEs, to create a compendium on empowering women to trade through digitalisation.
• Additional practical policy tools to support women’s economic empowerment through trade.

These developments demonstrate the growing importance of researchers and young professionals who can contribute evidence, ideas and policy recommendations to the global trade and gender conversation.

Who Is the WTO Seeking to Nominate?

The WTO Gender Research Hub is seeking nominations for young researchers and young professionals working in relevant academic, research and government environments.

Potential nominees may come from:

• Universities and academic institutions
• Research foundations
• Research centres
• Think tanks
• Policy research organisations
• Government institutions
• Other relevant research and policy settings

The programme is designed for young researchers in academia and research institutions, as well as young professionals working in government.

Learn more HERE

Eligibility and Nomination Criteria

Candidates must satisfy the programme’s nomination requirements.

Age

Applicants must generally be 20 to 35 years old.

The call also notes that the age limit may be relaxed in exceptional circumstances. This may apply to nominees who demonstrate outstanding initiative or who have taken a career break. Candidates seeking such an exception should explain their circumstances in their motivation letter.

Interest or Current Work in Trade and Gender

Candidates must demonstrate current work relating to trade and gender, or show a clear interest in incorporating trade and gender issues into their existing work.

This means applicants should be able to demonstrate a genuine connection to the subject rather than simply expressing a general interest in international development.

Motivation Letter

Candidates must provide a motivation letter explaining their interest and suitability for the programme.

A strong motivation letter should clearly communicate the candidate’s existing work, professional or research interests and reasons for wanting to engage more deeply with trade and gender issues.

Institutional Endorsement

Candidates must be formally endorsed by their academic or research institution.

The call specifically refers to institutions such as think tanks, research foundations and centres and policy research settings.

This is important because the programme is not structured as an entirely individual application. The candidate must be nominated and endorsed through an eligible academic or research institution.

How the Selection Process Works

The call for nominations is directed to academic and research institutions.

Nominations may be submitted by legal representatives of eligible institutions through the designated online nomination form.

Up to 35 nominees will ultimately be selected by the Chair of the WTO Gender Research Hub to participate in the second edition of the Youth Talent Incubator Programme.

Selected applicants are scheduled to receive notification of the outcome by email on 1 October 2026.

Programme Format and Cost

The programme will be conducted entirely online, making it accessible to selected participants without requiring relocation to Geneva or another physical programme location.

Importantly, the programme is cost-free for participants.

This online format can be particularly valuable for young researchers and professionals who are working or studying while participating in the programme.

Programme Dates

The second edition of the WTO Youth Talent Incubator Programme will run from:

12 October 2026 to 30 June 2027.

The selected participants will therefore have an extended period to engage with mentoring, capacity-building and networking activities.

Application Deadline

The deadline for nominations is 24 September 2026 at 23:59 CET.

The WTO states explicitly that the deadline will not be extended, so eligible institutions and potential nominees should begin the nomination process well in advance.

Important Point About the Application Process

Potential candidates should note that the call is specifically seeking nominations from academic and research institutions.

Therefore, an eligible young researcher or professional should not assume that simply submitting an individual application will satisfy the requirements. Candidates should work with their university, research centre, think tank, foundation or relevant institution to secure the required formal endorsement.

Institutions should ensure that the nomination is submitted through the appropriate online form before the deadline.

Contact Information

For questions concerning the Youth Talent Incubator Programme or the nomination process, applicants and institutions can contact the WTO’s Trade and Gender Office at:

trade-gender@wto.org

Additional information about the programme is available through the WTO website.

How to Prepare a Strong Nomination

Although meeting the eligibility criteria is essential, candidates can strengthen their prospects by preparing a clear and convincing nomination.

Consider the following:

1. Clearly demonstrate your connection to trade and gender. Explain your current research, professional work or academic interests and how they relate to these themes.
2. Show evidence of commitment. Where possible, highlight research projects, publications, policy work, academic activities or professional experiences related to gender, trade, women’s economic empowerment or related policy issues.
3. Write a focused motivation letter. Explain why participation in the Youth Talent Incubator Programme is important for your research or career development.
4. Approach your institution early. Because institutional endorsement is required, do not wait until the final day to begin discussions with your university, research centre, think tank or other eligible institution.
5. Demonstrate future potential. Explain how the knowledge, mentoring and networks gained through the programme could contribute to your future research, professional work or policy engagement.
6. Connect your work to broader policy challenges. Strong candidates should be able to demonstrate an understanding of why gender-responsive trade policies matter for sustainable development and women’s economic empowerment.

APPLY HERE

Why This Opportunity Is Valuable

The WTO Youth Talent Incubator Programme provides a distinctive opportunity for emerging researchers and professionals to develop within an international policy environment.

Participants can potentially gain:

• Exposure to international trade and gender policy discussions.
• Mentorship from experienced experts.
• Capacity-building opportunities.
• Greater understanding of the relationship between trade and gender.
• Opportunities to engage with WTO Members and international stakeholders.
• International professional networking.
• Experience connecting research with policy.
• A platform for contributing young people’s perspectives to global discussions.
• Participation in a global community focused on advancing gender-responsive trade policy.

The programme can therefore be particularly relevant to individuals considering careers in international organisations, public policy, trade policy, gender equality, economic development, research, academia and international relations.

Visit HERE to learn more about the WTO Youth Talent Incubator Programme.

Conclusion

The WTO Youth Talent Incubator Programme – 2nd Edition represents an important opportunity for young researchers and professionals seeking to deepen their engagement with the relationship between international trade and gender equality.

With its three pillars of mentoring, capacity building and networking, the programme is designed to help develop the next generation of trade and gender experts while strengthening connections between research and policymaking. The entirely online and cost-free format further makes the programme accessible to selected participants from different professional and academic environments.

Young researchers and professionals who meet the criteria should begin working with their eligible academic or research institutions as soon as possible, particularly because institutional endorsement is required and the nomination deadline is 24 September 2026 at 23:59 CET.

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