The UN Global Goals Scholarship 2026 in Switzerland offers an exciting opportunity for young people, professionals, researchers, activists, entrepreneurs, and emerging leaders to participate in an international forum focused on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), peacebuilding, mediation, diplomacy, and global cooperation.
The four-day event will take place in Geneva, Switzerland, from December 14 to 17, 2026.Organized by the Council for Global Affairs & Development (CGAD), the second edition of the Global Goals Forum is expected to bring together 160 delegates from different countries and professional backgrounds. Among them, 80 participants will receive scholarship awards through three funding categories: Fully Funded, Partially Funded, and Funded Forum Access.
For applicants interested in international development, diplomacy, peace, governance, sustainability, or global affairs, the forum provides an opportunity to learn directly from an international environment and build connections with participants from around the world.
The program is open to applicants aged 15 to 45, regardless of nationality, academic discipline, or professional background. No specific degree or academic qualification is required. This broad eligibility makes the opportunity particularly attractive to students, young professionals, social entrepreneurs, activists, and community leaders who are actively interested in global challenges.
The UN Global Goals Scholarship 2026 is an international scholarship opportunity connected to a four-day youth and global affairs forum in Geneva. The program is designed to encourage meaningful discussions around the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and related areas such as peacebuilding, mediation, development, diplomacy, and international cooperation.
The forum will be held in Geneva, one of the world's most important centers for international diplomacy and multilateral cooperation. The city is home to major international institutions, including the United Nations Office at Geneva, World Health Organization, and World Trade Organization. CERN is also located in the Geneva region.
Participants will have opportunities to attend workshops and sessions, participate in cultural exchange activities, network with international delegates, and take part in an institutional visit.
The organizers previously held the first edition of the forum in Istanbul, Türkiye. The 2026 edition moves to Geneva to create an environment where youth perspectives can interact with international policy and global development discussions.
The scholarship is offered through three different funding tiers. The exact benefits depend on the category in which an applicant is selected.
The Fully Funded tier provides the most comprehensive support. According to the provided program information, selected participants can receive:
These benefits can significantly reduce the financial burden of participating in an international forum abroad.
The Partially Funded category provides substantial support but does not offer the same level of financial coverage as the Fully Funded tier. According to the provided information, accommodation and several forum-related benefits are included, while airfare is not covered.
Applicants who are not selected for the Fully Funded award may therefore still have an opportunity to participate through this category.
The Funded Forum Access tier provides another pathway for applicants who want to attend the international forum. This category includes forum-related benefits and opportunities for global networking, although participants should carefully review the current official information to understand which expenses they will need to cover themselves.
Importantly, applicants do not need to submit separate applications for each funding category. A single application automatically places them under consideration for all three tiers based on merit.
Geneva provides an especially relevant setting for an event focused on global development and international cooperation.
The city has long served as an important center for diplomacy, humanitarian affairs, international health, trade, human rights, and scientific collaboration. Participants attending the forum can therefore experience an international environment that connects closely with the subjects discussed during the program.
The Sustainable Development Goals provide a global framework for addressing challenges such as poverty, inequality, education, climate change, peace, justice, and sustainable economic development.
The forum gives participants an opportunity to engage with these issues beyond the classroom. Students and young professionals can exchange perspectives with people working in different fields and countries.
International networking is another important component of the program. Participants will meet students, researchers, entrepreneurs, activists, professionals, policymakers, and other emerging leaders.
These connections can potentially lead to future collaborations, research opportunities, professional relationships, and international projects.
An institutional visit is included in the program. Depending on arrangements, delegates may visit organizations such as the United Nations, World Health Organization, World Trade Organization, or CERN.
Such visits can help participants better understand how major international institutions operate and contribute to global cooperation.
The scholarship has broad eligibility requirements. Applicants should meet the following criteria:
There is no specific academic background requirement.
Undergraduate students, postgraduate students, and researchers from any discipline can apply. Applicants do not need to study international relations or development studies.
Students studying fields such as law, economics, engineering, business, social sciences, environmental studies, technology, medicine, education, or other disciplines may also find the forum relevant to their interests.
Early- and mid-career professionals, founders, entrepreneurs, and social entrepreneurs are also encouraged to apply.
Applicants whose work addresses community development, sustainability, governance, innovation, peacebuilding, or social impact may be particularly interested in the opportunity.
Youth leaders and activists involved in community mobilization, development projects, peace initiatives, or SDG-related activities can also apply.
The broad eligibility criteria mean that applicants do not necessarily need extensive professional experience. Demonstrating genuine interest and engagement with relevant issues can be important.
Professionals working in governance, diplomacy, mediation, dispute resolution, law, and related areas are eligible as well.
Their professional perspectives can contribute to discussions about international cooperation, conflict resolution, justice, and sustainable development.
English is the official working language of the forum. However, the provided eligibility information states that no formal language certificate is compulsory.
Applicants should therefore be comfortable enough with English to understand presentations, participate in discussions, communicate with other delegates, and engage in workshops.
The application process is conducted online through a single application form.
Applicants should begin by visiting the official scholarship application page: UN Global Goals Scholarship Official Application Page
Always use the official CGAD website when submitting an application and verify the latest information before paying any application fee.
Fill out the application form carefully and provide accurate information. Applicants should make sure that their responses clearly demonstrate their interest in the Sustainable Development Goals, international cooperation, peacebuilding, diplomacy, development, or related areas.
The application requires a non-refundable fee of $15.99.One payment covers consideration for all three scholarship tiers. Applicants do not have to submit separate forms for the Fully Funded, Partially Funded, and Funded Forum Access categories.
Paying the fee does not guarantee selection.
Review all information before submitting the application. Strong applications should clearly communicate the applicant's motivation, relevant experience, achievements, community involvement, and reasons for wanting to participate.
Selection is based on merit, so applicants should avoid submitting generic answers.
The provided information does not state a specific final application deadline. The forum itself is scheduled for December 14–17, 2026, and the official website displays a countdown indicating that the application period is time-sensitive.
Applicants should therefore avoid waiting until the last moment. Seats may become limited, and the application window can change.
For the latest deadline information, applicants should check the official application page before submitting their applications.
Although eligibility is broad, applicants should remember that selection is competitive.
A strong application should demonstrate a clear connection between the applicant's background and the objectives of the forum.
For example, applicants can discuss community projects they have participated in, research related to development or sustainability, leadership activities, entrepreneurship, volunteering, advocacy, peacebuilding initiatives, or professional experience.
It is also useful to explain what the applicant hopes to learn and how they intend to use the experience after returning to their community or organization.
Avoid simply listing achievements. Instead, explain the impact of those experiences and demonstrate genuine motivation to contribute to the forum.
There is a Fully Funded scholarship tier, along with Partially Funded and Funded Forum Access options. The Fully Funded tier provides airfare support, shared accommodation, meals, visa invitation documentation, forum materials, activities, institutional visits, and other benefits.
The program offers 80 scholarship awards across three funding tiers. The wider forum is expected to bring together approximately 160 delegates.
Applicants aged 15–45 from all nationalities and academic or professional backgrounds can apply. Students, researchers, professionals, entrepreneurs, activists, youth leaders, policymakers, lawyers, judges, and other interested participants are eligible.
Yes. The application fee is $15.99 and is non-refundable. It covers consideration for all three scholarship categories.
No. Payment of the application fee does not guarantee a scholarship award or a place at the forum. Applicants are evaluated on merit.
The forum will take place in Geneva, Switzerland, from December 14 to 17, 2026.
English is the official working language. No formal language certificate is required according to the provided information.
Yes. Delegates receive an official certificate of participation issued by the Council for Global Affairs & Development. The certificate is presented during the closing ceremony.