Deadline: September 21, 2025

Applications are open for the UNODA Young Women for Biosecurity Fellowship 2025. Efforts to safeguard a better future for all will not be possible without gender equality. Yet, women continue to face systemic barriers and biases in pursuing scientific careers. In cutting edge fields such as artificial intelligence, only one in five professionals are women. Women also continue to be underrepresented in discussions related to biosafety and biosecurity, despite significant process in previous years.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Biological Weapons Convention, the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs in Geneva will hold a special iteration of the Youth for Biosecurity Fellowship Programme for 10 competitively selected young female scientists from the Global South.


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Participants will join a series of online interactive webinars prior to a field visit during the Seventh meeting of the BWC Working Group on the Strengthening of the Convention in Geneva. The Fellowship aims to support young women from the Global South active in the biosecurity field, providing an opportunity to learn, network and share perspectives on topics related to the BWC.

Fellowship

The Fellowship runs over a three-month period and requires a minimal time commitment to accommodate fellows’ work or academic schedules. Activities include:  

  • A series of online Biosecurity Workshops throughout October and November, with at least three substantive sessions,
  • Dedicated opportunities for mentorship and networking,
  • A five-day field visit in Geneva from 8 to 12 December 2025 during the Seventh Meeting of the BWC Working Group on the Strengthening of the Convention.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply, prospective fellows must:

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  • Identify as female,
  • Be under 35 years old at the time of applying,  
  • Be citizens of a BWC State Party listed as least developed country, low- or lower/upper middle-income country (Check if your country is in the Development Assistance Committee List of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
  • At a minimum, awarded a master’s degree in the life sciences or a related discipline from a recognized university or institution.
  • Have at least three years of working experience,
  • Currently work in a related field, such as laboratories, research into biosecurity or disarmament, life sciences, emerging technologies etc.  
  • Proficiency in English, with proof of mastery.  

Regional balance will be considered in the selection of the cohort.

Expectations

  • Attendance and active participation in all online sessions and in the field visit [the fellows are responsible for obtaining the relevant authorizations from their employer or universities, as well as any required visa documents for travel to Switzerland].
  • Make time in your schedule to adequately prepare for all sessions and discussions – the course will be intensive, and prior preparation will be key to the fellows’ active participation.

Application

Applicants will need to provide a reference letter, copy of their passport, and confirmation of their availability to participate in the programme in its entirety as part of their submission.

Click here to apply


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For more information, visit UNODA Young Women for Biosecurity Fellowship.

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