UNU-MERIT MMPAF Programme 2026: Apply for Online Training in Migration and Asylum Policy
The Moving the Migration Policy Agenda Forward (MMPAF) Programme 2026 is an online capacity-building opportunity offered by the United Nations University – Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (UNU-MERIT) for professionals involved in migration and asylum policy and management.
The programme is particularly designed for government officials working in the fields of migration and asylum, while also providing an opportunity for other practitioners and students with an interest in migration and asylum policies to develop relevant knowledge and practical skills.
Funded by the European Union (EU) through the Migration Partnership Facility (MPF) of the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), the MMPAF programme provides intensive, tutor-led online learning focused on major migration policy issues.
For 2026, participants can take part in two specialised courses: Irregular Migration and Migration and Development. Each course is delivered online over one full-time week and combines lectures, interactive learning, practical exercises and Problem-Based Learning (PBL).
About the UNU-MERIT MMPAF Programme
UNU-MERIT is an international research and training institute that forms part of the United Nations University system. Its work covers economic and social research, innovation, technology, development and public policy.
The Moving the Migration Policy Agenda Forward (MMPAF) programme contributes to capacity development in migration management by giving participants the opportunity to strengthen their understanding of important migration policy challenges.
Rather than relying exclusively on traditional lectures, the programme uses a combination of teaching and assessment approaches. Participants are expected to actively engage in online sessions, discussions, practical exercises and workshops.
The programme places particular emphasis on Problem-Based Learning (PBL), an approach that allows participants to work through practical policy-related challenges and apply concepts to real-world situations.
MMPAF Programme 2026 Courses
The 2026 programme consists of two separate online courses. Each course lasts one week and is delivered on a full-time basis.
1. Irregular Migration
Dates: 23–27 November 2026
The Irregular Migration course will be taught by Dr. Lalaine Siruno.
The course is intended to strengthen participants’ understanding of irregular migration and the policy challenges associated with managing migration movements.
Through interactive learning and practical exercises, participants can explore migration policy issues and develop their ability to approach complex challenges from a policy and management perspective.
2. Migration and Development
Dates: 30 November–4 December 2026
The Migration and Development course will be taught by Prof. Khalid Koser.
This course focuses on the relationship between migration and development and provides participants with an opportunity to examine migration through a broader policy and development lens.
The course is particularly relevant to professionals who need to understand how migration interacts with development policies, institutions and wider socioeconomic processes.
How the MMPAF Courses Are Delivered
Both courses are delivered entirely online, allowing selected participants to participate without travelling to a physical campus.
However, the online format does not mean that the programme is self-paced. The courses are structured as intensive, full-time learning programmes.
Each one-week course is divided into smaller learning blocks to make the programme structured and manageable. These learning blocks combine different forms of teaching and evaluation.
Participants may be involved in:
- Online lectures
- Interactive sessions
- Practical exercises
- Problem-Based Learning activities
- Workshops
- Self-preparation and independent study
- Other tutor-led learning and evaluation activities
The programme requires a significant time commitment. Participants are expected to dedicate approximately 40 hours per week to the course, including online contact hours and time spent preparing independently.
Applicants should therefore ensure that they can make the necessary time available before applying.
Who Can Apply for the MMPAF Programme?
The MMPAF programme is primarily targeted at government officials and civil servants working in migration and/or asylum in the eligible countries and regions.
The programme is also open to other practitioners and students who have an interest in migration and asylum policy, although the stated eligibility criteria specifically require applicants working as government officials in the relevant fields and eligible locations.
Applicants should meet the following requirements:
English Language Requirement
Applicants must be fluent in spoken and written English.
Because the programme is delivered online and involves interactive sessions, participants need to be comfortable communicating, listening, reading and writing in English.
Academic Qualification
Applicants must hold at least a Bachelor’s degree.
This means that a recognised undergraduate degree is the minimum academic qualification specified for the programme.
Identification Document
Applicants must provide a copy of a valid passport or identification document as part of their application.
Applicants should therefore ensure that their identification document is valid and that they can provide a clear copy when submitting their application.
Computer Skills
Applicants must be sufficiently confident with computers to participate in an online education programme.
Since the courses are delivered online and involve interactive sessions and practical activities, participants should be able to use the technology required for online learning.
Professional Background
The programme is specifically intended for government officials working in migration and/or asylum.
Eligible officials must work in the relevant fields in one of the programme’s designated geographical areas.
Applicants who are government employees must also have full and written support from their employers confirming that they will not be expected to perform their normal work duties during the period of the MMPAF programme.
This requirement is important because each course is full-time and requires approximately 40 hours of commitment per week.
Eligible Countries and Regions
The MMPAF programme is open to applicants from specific countries across the EU Southern Neighbourhood, Silk Route, Central Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
EU Southern Neighbourhood Countries
Eligible countries listed under this category are:
- Algeria
- Egypt
- Israel
- Jordan
- Lebanon
- Libya
- Morocco
- State of Palestine
- Syria
- Tunisia
Silk Route Countries
Eligible Silk Route countries include:
- Afghanistan
- Pakistan
- Iran
- Iraq
- Bangladesh
Sub-Saharan African Countries
Applicants from the following Sub-Saharan African countries are eligible:
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cabo Verde
- Cameroon
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Djibouti
- Ethiopia
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Kenya
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Nigeria
- Rwanda
- Senegal
- Somalia
- The Gambia
- Uganda
This makes the programme particularly relevant to migration and asylum professionals across a wide range of African countries.
South Asian Countries
The listed South Asian countries are:
- India
- Bangladesh
- Afghanistan
- Pakistan
Central Asian Countries
Eligible Central Asian countries include:
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Tajikistan
- Turkmenistan
- Uzbekistan
Applicants should carefully check the official eligibility information before submitting an application, particularly where countries appear under more than one regional grouping in the programme’s published list.
Why the MMPAF Programme Is Valuable for Migration Professionals
Migration and asylum policy involves complex economic, social, humanitarian, political and governance considerations. Professionals working in this area need the ability to understand policy challenges and respond to changing migration dynamics.
The MMPAF programme provides an opportunity to strengthen this professional capacity through intensive, specialised training.
Participants can benefit from:
- Exposure to specialised migration and asylum policy topics
- Tutor-led instruction from experienced academics and experts
- Interactive online learning
- Practical policy-oriented exercises
- Problem-Based Learning activities
- Opportunities to engage with other participants
- A structured full-time learning experience
- Greater understanding of irregular migration
- Greater understanding of the relationship between migration and development
- Skills that can support professional work in migration management and policy
The practical emphasis of the programme can be particularly useful for professionals who need to apply migration concepts to real-world policy and administrative challenges.
Full-Time Commitment and Employer Support
One of the most important aspects applicants should consider is the programme’s time requirement.
Each course lasts one week and requires participants to dedicate 40 hours per week to the programme.
This time commitment includes:
- Online contact and teaching sessions
- Interactive exercises
- Practical workshops
- Self-preparation
- Other programme-related learning activities
Government officials applying to the programme must therefore secure written support from their employers confirming that they will be released from their regular work duties for the duration of the programme.
Applicants should obtain this support before or as part of the application process so that they can demonstrate their ability to participate fully.
MMPAF Programme 2026 Course Schedule
The two courses are scheduled as follows:
| Course | Dates | Instructor |
|---|---|---|
| Irregular Migration | 23–27 November 2026 | Dr. Lalaine Siruno |
| Migration and Development | 30 November–4 December 2026 | Prof. Khalid Koser |
Both courses are conducted online.
Application Deadline
The deadline to apply for the MMPAF Programme 2026 is 4 October 2026 at 23:59 CEST.
Applicants are encouraged not to wait until the final day to submit their applications. Supporting documents should be prepared in advance, and applicants should make sure that all required information is complete before submission.
Selection Notification
Applicants can expect to receive notification of the selection outcome in mid-October 2026.
How to Apply for the MMPAF Programme
Interested applicants should submit their details and all required supporting documents through the official online application portal provided by UNU-MERIT.
The application process involves providing the information requested by the programme and submitting the necessary supporting documentation.
Applicants should ensure that they:
- Confirm that they meet the eligibility requirements.
- Check that their country is included among the eligible locations.
- Confirm that they hold at least a Bachelor’s degree.
- Ensure they are fluent in written and spoken English.
- Prepare a valid passport or identification document.
- Confirm that they have sufficient computer skills for online study.
- Obtain the required written employer support where applicable.
- Ensure they can commit approximately 40 hours during the relevant course week.
- Submit the completed application before the stated deadline.
Important Information for Prospective Applicants
The MMPAF programme is not a casual or self-paced online course. It is a full-time, intensive capacity-building programme.
Applicants should therefore consider their professional responsibilities and availability before applying.
Government officials who normally have significant work responsibilities should pay particular attention to the employer-support requirement. Written confirmation that the applicant will not be expected to perform their regular duties during the programme is an important part of meeting the stated eligibility conditions.
Applicants should also make sure they have a reliable computer and sufficient internet access to participate effectively in online sessions.
Visit HERE to learn more about the UNU-MERIT MMPAF Programme 2026.
Programme Funding and Partnership
The MMPAF programme is funded by the European Union through the Migration Partnership Facility (MPF) of the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD).
The programme is implemented through UNU-MERIT and is aimed at strengthening capacity among civil servants and policy practitioners working in migration management across the specified regions.
This international partnership reflects the broader importance of strengthening migration governance and developing the knowledge and skills of officials and practitioners responsible for migration-related policies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MMPAF Programme?
The Moving the Migration Policy Agenda Forward (MMPAF) is an online capacity-building programme focused on migration and asylum policy. It is offered by UNU-MERIT and is primarily intended for government officials working in migration and/or asylum, while also being open to other practitioners and students interested in the field.
Is the MMPAF Programme online?
Yes. The 2026 MMPAF courses are delivered online.
How many courses are offered in 2026?
Two courses are offered:
- Irregular Migration
- Migration and Development
How long does each course last?
Each course lasts one full-time week.
How much time must participants commit?
Participants are required to commit approximately 40 hours per week, including online contact hours, self-preparation and practical activities.
Do I need a Bachelor’s degree?
Yes. The stated eligibility requirements require applicants to hold at least a Bachelor’s degree.
Do I need to speak English?
Yes. Applicants must be fluent in both spoken and written English.
Can applicants from Kenya apply?
Yes. Kenya is listed among the eligible Sub-Saharan African countries.
When is the application deadline?
The application deadline is 4 October 2026 at 23:59 CEST.
When will applicants be notified?
Selection notifications are expected in mid-October 2026.
What courses are available?
The 2026 programme offers Irregular Migration, running from 23–27 November 2026, and Migration and Development, running from 30 November–4 December 2026.
Do government officials need employer approval?
Yes. Eligible government officials are required to have full and written support from their employers confirming that they will not be expected to perform their normal work duties during the MMPAF programme.
Conclusion
The UNU-MERIT Moving the Migration Policy Agenda Forward (MMPAF) Programme 2026 provides a specialised online capacity-building opportunity for government officials and other professionals interested in migration and asylum policy. Through its two courses on Irregular Migration and Migration and Development, the programme combines academic instruction with interactive sessions, practical exercises, workshops and Problem-Based Learning.
The programme is particularly relevant to civil servants and migration policy practitioners in eligible countries across Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, Central Asia, the Silk Route and the EU Southern Neighbourhood. With Kenya and numerous other African countries included among the eligible locations, professionals in these regions can consider the programme as an opportunity to strengthen their migration-policy knowledge and practical capabilities.
Prospective applicants should carefully review the eligibility requirements, secure any necessary employer support and prepare their supporting documents well in advance. Since the programme requires a full-time commitment of approximately 40 hours per week, applicants should also ensure they can dedicate the necessary time to the course.
The application deadline is 4 October 2026 at 23:59 CEST, with selection notifications expected in mid-October. Interested applicants should therefore complete and submit their applications before the deadline through the official UNU-MERIT application portal.
For more global training opportunities visit OFY HERE.
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