The FAO Fellows Programme Scholarship 2026 in Italy offers an excellent opportunity for PhD students, researchers, and professors who want to gain international experience while contributing to global efforts in agriculture, food security, nutrition, and sustainable development. The programme is offered by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and provides fellows with an opportunity to work within an international UN environment.
Unlike fully funded scholarships that provide a salary or stipend, the FAO Fellows Programme does not provide remuneration to fellows.
However, it offers valuable professional and academic benefits, including access to FAO's knowledge resources, international networks, and opportunities to contribute to projects connected to some of the world's most important development challenges.
The programme is particularly suitable for researchers whose academic interests align with FAO's work and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Fellows can gain practical exposure to international development while strengthening their research and professional experience.
The FAO Fellows Programme is a fellowship opportunity designed for graduate students, PhD candidates, researchers, and professors from FAO member countries. It allows participants to contribute their academic knowledge and research expertise to FAO's work.
The programme focuses on areas closely connected to FAO's mandate, including agriculture, food security, sustainable agriculture, forestry, fisheries, nutrition, rural development, and other related fields.
Participants can gain experience within the UN system and develop a deeper understanding of how international organizations address global development challenges.
The programme also encourages knowledge exchange between researchers and FAO professionals. This makes it particularly valuable for candidates who want to connect academic research with practical policy and development work.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized UN agency dedicated to defeating hunger and improving food security around the world.
FAO works with governments, research institutions, development organizations, and other partners to promote sustainable agriculture and improve food and nutrition systems.
Its work also covers forestry, fisheries, rural development, and natural resource management.
With operations and projects across more than 130 countries, FAO provides an international environment for professionals and researchers interested in sustainable development.
The Fellows Programme reflects FAO's broader commitment to developing expertise and strengthening the capacity of researchers and professionals who can contribute to global food and agriculture challenges.
Although the programme does not provide financial remuneration, it offers several professional and academic benefits.
Fellows have the opportunity to contribute to FAO's work and gain practical experience in an international organization. This can provide valuable exposure to global development projects and policy-related research.
Participants can benefit from FAO's extensive knowledge resources, publications, research materials, and professional networks.
This exposure can be particularly useful for researchers working on agriculture, food security, nutrition, environmental sustainability, and rural development.
Working within the UN system can allow fellows to interact with professionals from different countries and academic backgrounds. These connections can contribute to future research collaborations and professional opportunities.
The programme gives fellows an opportunity to connect their academic or research expertise with international development priorities and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Applicants should understand that the FAO Fellows Programme is not a paid fellowship. FAO does not provide remuneration to fellows.
Therefore, candidates should carefully consider how they will cover travel, accommodation, living expenses, insurance, and other costs associated with participating in the programme.
Candidates must meet several requirements to be considered for the programme.
Applicants should:
The six official FAO languages are English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, and Russian.
Applicants should also ensure that their academic background and research interests are relevant to FAO's areas of work.
The FAO Fellows Programme can be particularly suitable for candidates who want to connect academic research with international development.
PhD candidates whose research focuses on agriculture, food systems, environmental sustainability, rural development, nutrition, or related subjects can use the programme to gain international exposure.
Early-career and experienced researchers can benefit from working within an international organization and gaining exposure to FAO's research and knowledge networks.
University professors and academics with relevant expertise can contribute research knowledge to FAO projects while strengthening their international professional networks.
The FAO Fellows Programme covers academic and professional areas connected to the organization's mandate.
Potential areas include:
Applicants should demonstrate a clear connection between their proposed research and FAO's work.
Preparing the required documents carefully can significantly improve the quality of an application.
Applicants must complete the relevant online application through the FAO career portal. All information should be accurate, complete, and consistent with the applicant's academic documents.
A research proposal is an important part of the application. It should clearly explain the proposed research, its objectives, methodology, expected contribution, and relevance to FAO's work.
Applicants should avoid submitting a generic research proposal. Instead, they should demonstrate how their expertise could contribute to FAO's strategic priorities.
Applicants should provide evidence of their graduate or postgraduate qualifications. Depending on the specific call, additional academic documents may be requested.
Candidates should always review the requirements of the particular Call for Expression of Interest before submitting their application.
The application process is completed online through FAO's recruitment and career system.
Begin by reviewing the available opportunities and information about the Fellows Programme.
Applicants should look for the Call for Expression of Interest for the Fellows Programme and carefully review the eligibility requirements.
Develop a research proposal that clearly connects your academic background with FAO's work.
Explain the problem you want to address and why the research is relevant to agriculture, food security, sustainable development, or another FAO priority.
Complete the application form and upload the required documents. Check all information carefully before submitting.
Applications are accepted through calls for expressions of interest. Candidates who are not selected can re-apply when a new call becomes available, provided they continue to meet the eligibility requirements.
The FAO Fellows Programme does not operate with one fixed annual application deadline. Applications are associated with Calls for Expression of Interest, which can be available on a rolling basis.
Candidates should therefore regularly monitor the FAO career portal for current calls and their respective closing dates.
Because application opportunities can change, applicants should not rely on an old deadline or previous call. Always check the current official programme announcement before submitting an application.
Fellows may be assigned to different FAO locations depending on the specific project and operational requirements.
Assignments can include FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy, as well as regional or country offices in other parts of the world.
The exact location, duration, responsibilities, and working arrangements depend on the fellowship assignment and the requirements of the relevant FAO office.
Selection is competitive. FAO considers applicants' academic qualifications, research experience, research proposals, and the relevance of their expertise to the organization's work.
The quality and relevance of the research proposal are particularly important. Candidates should demonstrate how their knowledge and research could contribute to FAO's objectives.
Applications undergo review, and only shortlisted candidates are contacted regarding the next stages of the selection process.
A strong application should clearly connect your academic profile with FAO's mission.
First, carefully research the organization's current priorities before preparing your proposal. Your research should address a relevant development challenge rather than simply presenting a general academic topic.
Second, highlight your previous research and professional experience. Explain how your background has prepared you to contribute effectively to an international organization.Third, make your research proposal specific and practical. Clearly define the research problem, objectives, methodology, expected outcomes, and potential contribution.
Finally, proofread the application before submitting it. Make sure all required documents are included and that the information provided in different sections is consistent.
No. The FAO Fellows Programme is not a paid or fully funded fellowship. FAO does not provide remuneration to fellows. Applicants should therefore make appropriate financial arrangements for participation.
The programme is open to nationals of FAO Member countries who hold a graduate or postgraduate degree or are enrolled in a PhD programme and meet the relevant experience and language requirements.
Not necessarily. Applicants may hold a Master's or PhD degree, or be enrolled in a PhD programme, depending on the programme requirements.
Applicants should have working knowledge of at least one FAO official language: English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, or Russian.
There is no single fixed annual deadline. Applications are made through Calls for Expression of Interest, and candidates should check the FAO career portal regularly for current opportunities.
Depending on the assignment, fellows may be based at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy, or at regional and country offices around the world.
Fields related to FAO's work can be considered, including agriculture, food security, nutrition, forestry, fisheries, rural development, sustainable development, and related disciplines.
Candidates can re-apply to new Calls for Expression of Interest when available, provided they remain eligible.