UN Global Goals Scholarship 2026 in Switzerland | Fully Funded

UN Global Goals Scholarship 2026 in Switzerland | Fully Funded Youth Forum

The UN Global Goals Scholarship 2026 in Switzerland is an international opportunity for students, young professionals, researchers, entrepreneurs, activists, and emerging leaders who are passionate about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), peacebuilding, diplomacy, mediation, and global cooperation. The opportunity is linked to the Youth Forum on UN Global Goals 2026, which will take place in Geneva, Switzerland, from December 14 to 17, 2026.

The forum is organized by the Council for Global Affairs & Development (CGAD) and is designed to bring together participants from different countries and professional backgrounds. The 2026 edition offers 80 scholarship awards across three funding categories: Fully Funded, Partially Funded, and Funded Forum Access.

Unlike a conventional university scholarship, this opportunity is a short international youth forum focused on learning, networking, leadership development, cultural exchange, and discussions surrounding global challenges. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with other young changemakers and explore Geneva's international institutions.

What Is the UN Global Goals Scholarship 2026?

The UN Global Goals Scholarship 2026 provides selected participants with financial support to attend the Youth Forum on UN Global Goals in Geneva.

The forum focuses on major international themes including the Sustainable Development Goals, sustainable development, diplomacy, peacebuilding, mediation, and international cooperation. It is open to people from a wide range of academic, professional, and social backgrounds.

According to the published programme information, participants can be students, researchers, professionals, entrepreneurs, youth leaders, activists, policymakers, lawyers, judges, and community organizers. No particular academic field is required.

UN Global Goals Scholarship 2026 - Key Details

The Scholarship Union page states that applications are currently handled through the official CGAD application portal and that the application window may close as seats fill.

Financial Benefits

The Fully Funded category provides selected participants with a package designed to cover major costs associated with attending the forum.

Benefits include:

• Round-trip airfare support.
• Twin-sharing accommodation.
• Stamped visa invitation letter.
• Meals during the forum.
• Forum materials.
• Delegate kit.
• Cultural exchange activities.
• Speaking opportunities.
• Workshops and learning sessions.
• Institutional visit to an international organization.
• Official CGAD certificate.
• International networking opportunities.

The institutional visit may include an organization such as the United Nations, World Health Organization, World Trade Organization, or CERN, depending on the programme arrangements.

Applicants should understand that the benefits depend on the funding tier for which they are selected. The partially funded and forum-access categories do not provide exactly the same coverage as the fully funded package.

Who Can Apply?

The UN Global Goals Scholarship is designed to be accessible to participants from diverse backgrounds.

Applicants generally need to:

• Be between 15 and 45 years old.
• Be a citizen of any country.
• Have an interest in the Sustainable Development Goals.
• Demonstrate interest in global development, diplomacy, peace, mediation, or international cooperation.
• Be able to participate in the forum in English.
• Provide accurate information in the application.

There is no specific academic qualification or field of study requirement. This means applicants can come from different educational and professional backgrounds.

Eligible profiles include undergraduate and postgraduate students, researchers, young professionals, entrepreneurs, social entrepreneurs, youth leaders, activists, policymakers, lawyers, judges, and community organizers.

Areas of Interest

The forum is suitable for applicants interested in a broad range of global issues. Key themes include:

• United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
• Sustainable development
• Youth leadership
• Global diplomacy
• Peacebuilding
• Mediation
• Conflict resolution
• International cooperation
• Public policy
• Social entrepreneurship
• Community development
• Global governance
• Human rights
• International relations

Applicants do not need to be studying international relations or political science. Students and professionals from other fields can also apply if they can demonstrate a genuine interest in the forum's themes.

Forum Experience in Geneva

Geneva is one of the world's major centres for international diplomacy and multilateral cooperation. The city hosts important international institutions, making it a relevant location for a forum focused on global goals and international collaboration.

During the four-day event, participants are expected to take part in workshops, discussions, networking activities, cultural exchange programmes, and other sessions related to global development.

The programme also includes an institutional visit, with possible destinations including the UN, WHO, WTO, or CERN.

For young participants, this experience can provide exposure to international organizations and help them build connections with people from different countries and professional sectors.

Required Documents

Applicants should prepare information that demonstrates their academic, professional, leadership, or community experience.

Depending on the application form, candidates may be asked to provide:

• Personal information.
• Educational background.
• Professional experience, if applicable.
• Leadership or volunteering experience.
• Information about community activities.
• Motivation for joining the forum.
• Details about interests related to the SDGs.
• Passport or identification information where required.

Applicants should ensure that all information is accurate and clearly presented.

A strong application should explain why the applicant wants to attend the forum and how participation connects with their future goals and contribution to society.

Application Fee

The published application information states that the scholarship application requires a non-refundable application fee of US$15.99. One payment provides consideration across the three scholarship categories: Fully Funded, Partially Funded, and Funded Forum Access.

Applicants should note that paying the application fee does not guarantee selection. Selection is based on the programme's evaluation process.

Because this is a paid application opportunity, candidates should review the official terms and conditions carefully before submitting payment.

How to Apply for UN Global Goals Scholarship 2026?

Interested applicants can follow these general steps:

Step 1: Check Eligibility

Confirm that you are within the 15–45 age range and meet the general participation requirements.

Step 2: Review the Programme

Read the information about the Youth Forum, scholarship categories, benefits, and participation requirements.

Step 3: Prepare Your Profile

Gather details about your education, professional experience, leadership activities, volunteering, entrepreneurship, or community involvement.

Step 4: Complete the Online Application

Submit the application through the designated CGAD scholarship application portal.

Step 5: Pay the Application Fee

Pay the stated non-refundable application fee if proceeding with the scholarship application.

Step 6: Submit and Wait for Selection

Applications are evaluated on merit. Successful applicants will receive further information about their scholarship category and participation.

Application Deadline

The Scholarship Union listing currently shows the deadline as varying, rather than providing one fixed closing date. The forum itself is scheduled for December 14–17, 2026, and applicants are advised to check the official application portal for the latest deadline and availability.

Some secondary listings report a specific October 2026 deadline, but because application availability can change, applicants should rely on the official application portal for the final deadline.

Why Should You Apply?

The UN Global Goals Scholarship 2026 can be valuable for students and young professionals looking for international exposure without requiring a traditional degree programme.

Selected participants can gain:

• International networking experience.
• Exposure to global policy discussions.
• Leadership development.
• Cross-cultural experience.
• Knowledge of the SDGs.
• Opportunities to interact with other young leaders.
• Workshops and learning opportunities.
• International institutional exposure.
• An official participation certificate.

The experience may also help applicants develop their profiles for future scholarships, fellowships, internships, conferences, and international leadership programmes.

Final Thoughts

The UN Global Goals Scholarship 2026 in Switzerland provides an opportunity for participants aged 15-45 from all nationalities to attend an international youth forum in Geneva. The event will focus on sustainable development, the UN Global Goals, peacebuilding, mediation, diplomacy, and global cooperation.

The fully funded category can provide airfare support, accommodation, meals, visa invitation support, workshops, cultural activities, an institutional visit, and a certificate for selected participants. However, applicants should carefully distinguish between the fully funded, partially funded, and forum-access categories before applying.

With the event scheduled for December 14-17, 2026, interested students, researchers, young professionals, entrepreneurs, activists, and emerging leaders should prepare their applications early and verify the latest deadline and conditions through the official application portal.