Key Summary: 2027 Italy-AOSIS Fellowship

The 2027 Italy-AOSIS Fellowship Programme is an opportunity for early-career professionals from members of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) to gain hands-on training and experience in law, policy and science, while building capacity to support their governments in international processes.

• Location: New York, USA
• Fellowship Start: February 2027
• Duration: One year
• Monthly Stipend: $5,000 USD per month
• Settling-in Allowance: $5,000
• Airfare: Roundtrip economy airfare to New York City
• Laptop: Provided
• Health Insurance: Comprehensive health insurance
• Travel: Travel budget for major international meetings
• Who Can Apply? Eligible Countries: The 2027 Italy-AOSIS Fellowship Programme is open to eligible nationals of AOSIS member countries, subject to the programme’s other eligibility requirements. AOSIS includes countries across the Caribbean, Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Ocean and South China Sea regions.
• Focus Areas: Climate change, ocean, environmental protection and sustainable development
• Application Deadline: Friday, November 20, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST

Important: Applications must be submitted by the applicant’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York. Individuals interested in applying are advised to contact their Permanent Mission.

2027 Italy-AOSIS Fellowship Application

All applications must be submitted by the Permanent Mission to the United Nations of the Applicant’s country of nationality. Individuals are advised to contact their Permanent Mission if they are interested in applying. Contact information for Permanent Missions can be found at: bluebook.e-delegate.un.org

The Application Deadline is Friday, November 20, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST. Please review the Fellowship Candidate Requirements in this package or at www.aosis.org/fellowship before applying.

To apply, Permanent Missions should send the Applicant’s completed application form to fellowship@aosis.org, along with the following materials:

Required Application Materials

Note Verbale from the Permanent Mission:
Endorsing the applicant, confirming their inclusion in national delegations for international meetings (including UNFCCC negotiations), guaranteeing and as appropriate committing to seek their post-fellowship government employment, and confirming the Mission’s agreement to fulfill its responsibilities, as outlined in the Italy-AOSIS Fellowship Agreement.

A Written Sample (no longer than 3 pages), addressing the following questions:

• What unique background, experience, or expertise will you bring to the Italy-AOSIS Fellowship Programme?
• What work do you hope to pursue following the Fellowship to continue to support your government’s engagement on climate change, environmental protection, sustainable development, and ocean matters?

Please note: All submissions will be screened for the use of artificial intelligence. The detection of AI-generated content may result in the disqualification of your application.

Passport Biodata Page:
Provide a clear copy of the applicant’s biodata page from a passport that is valid and will not expire within 18 months of the 2027 Fellowship’s start date.

Standardized Curriculum Vitae (no longer than 1 page):
Must explicitly detail your Personal Information (DOB, Age, Gender, Language fluency), Education (Full Degree name(s), University name(s), Month/Year degree attained), and Government/Intergovernmental Experience (Job titles, Entities, Month/Year start and end). Relevant experiences and achievements are welcome.

Important Application Notes

• All submissions must be in English.
• Following the submission of a complete application, candidates will be individually contacted to arrange a recorded video interview.
• Only eligible applications submitted by the Applicant’s Permanent Mission in New York, and with all the above materials included, will be considered for the Fellowship Programme.
• The Fellowship Programme will begin in New York in February 2027.

Italy-AOSIS Fellowship Programme

Designed to meet the specific needs of SIDS, the Italy-AOSIS Fellowship Programme is a unique opportunity for early-career professionals from members of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) to get hands-on training and experience on issues of law, policy, and science, and to build enduring capacity in AOSIS member governments to engage in international processes.

During the yearlong Fellowship Programme, Fellows will work at their UN Permanent Mission in New York, receive comprehensive training on climate change, ocean, environmental protection, and sustainable development issues, and gain real-world negotiation experience working with their national delegations and AOSIS at related UN conferences.

At the conclusion of the Programme, Fellows will return to their home country having developed the skills and knowledge needed to continue to engage on these issues and in the international process—as many former fellows have continued to do.

What Fellows Can Expect

Fellows can expect:

• Training on relevant issues of law, policy, and science to build fundamental knowledge and understanding of climate change, environmental protection, sustainable development, and ocean issues;
• Media training to learn the skills necessary to communicate information to a broader international audience;
• Real-world negotiation experience at the United Nations to bring back to governments in their countries of origin; and
• Opportunities to participate in important international conferences.

“The Fellowship was an excellent opportunity. We gained valuable knowledge in key areas that affect SIDS, but we also got hands on experience on how this knowledge is applied in a real-life setting to reach the outcomes SIDS need.”
— Former AOSIS Fellow

Italy-AOSIS Fellowship Terms and Benefits

Fellows agree to:

• Work full-time in the AOSIS Fellowship Programme under the direction of the AOSIS Fellowship Director and their Mission;
• Report to the AOSIS Fellowship Director for instructions and assignments on AOSIS priorities;
• Attend all Fellowship meetings and trainings in New York; and
• Attend and actively participate in international meetings, including covering priority areas for AOSIS as assigned by the AOSIS Fellowship Directors.

What Fellows Will Receive

• A roundtrip economy airfare ticket to New York City;
• A fixed settling-in allowance of $5,000;
• A laptop computer for use while an AOSIS Fellow;
• A monthly stipend of $5,000 USD per month (housing costs are to be covered by the stipend);
• Comprehensive health insurance; and
• A travel budget to cover the costs of attending major international meetings.

2027 Italy-AOSIS Fellowship Eligibility Requirements

The candidate must:

• Be a national of an AOSIS country;
• Be 25 to 32 years old at the beginning of the Fellowship Programme;
• Hold a degree in a relevant field (international relations, international law, environment, climate change, sustainable development, fisheries, ocean affairs, finance, etc.);
• Have 1 to 3 years of experience (maximum 5 years) working in a national government, or a regional or international organization;
• Commit to work in their national government following the completion of the Fellowship;
• Demonstrate discretion and sound judgement in dealing with politically sensitive issues in a diplomatic environment;
• Demonstrate excellent academic record and writing skills; and
• Be proficient in written and spoken English.

Sponsoring Mission Requirements

Sponsoring Missions will:

• Nominate one Fellow from amongst their nationals through their UN Permanent Mission;
• Make best efforts to have a position within the government for the Fellow at the end of the Fellowship;
• Accredit the Fellow to their Mission and to their National delegations attending UNFCCC, BBNJ and other negotiations in which AOSIS participates;
• Secure a US G-1 visa for the Fellow; and
• Provide a suitable work, workspace and supervision in their respective Permanent Mission in New York.

How to Apply for the 2027 Italy-AOSIS Fellowship

Applicants interested in the 2027 Italy-AOSIS Fellowship Programme should contact the Permanent Mission to the United Nations of their country of nationality.

The application must be submitted by the applicant’s Permanent Mission in New York. The Mission should submit the completed application form together with the required Note Verbale, written sample, passport biodata page and standardized CV to fellowship@aosis.org.

📅 Application Deadline

Friday, November 20, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST

📍 Fellowship Location

New York City, USA

🚀 Programme Start

February 2027

Only eligible applications submitted through the applicant’s Permanent Mission in New York, with all required materials included, will be considered.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Italy-AOSIS Fellowship Programme?

The Italy-AOSIS Fellowship Programme is a yearlong opportunity designed for early-career professionals from AOSIS member countries to receive training and practical experience in law, policy and science related to climate change, oceans, environmental protection and sustainable development.

How much is the Italy-AOSIS Fellowship stipend?

Fellows receive a monthly stipend of $5,000 USD per month, with housing costs covered by the stipend.

Is airfare included?

Yes. Fellows receive a roundtrip economy airfare ticket to New York City.

Is there a settling-in allowance?

Yes. Fellows receive a fixed settling-in allowance of $5,000.

Who can apply for the Italy-AOSIS Fellowship?

Candidates must be nationals of an AOSIS country, aged 25 to 32 at the beginning of the Fellowship, hold a relevant degree, have 1 to 3 years of experience (maximum 5 years) in a national government or regional/international organization, and meet the other requirements specified by the programme.

Can individuals submit their applications directly?

No. Applications must be submitted by the Permanent Mission to the United Nations of the applicant’s country of nationality.

When does the 2027 Fellowship begin?

The Fellowship Programme will begin in New York in February 2027.

What is the application deadline?

The deadline is Friday, November 20, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST.

📌 Quick Facts

Important: Applicants should review the official Fellowship Candidate Requirements before applying and contact their country’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations for information on the nomination process.

🔗 Official Fellowship Information

AOSIS Fellowship: www.aosis.org/fellowship

Application email: fellowship@aosis.org

Permanent Mission contact information: bluebook.e-delegate.un.org