Application Deadline: 7 June 2026 (11:59 PM CET)
The International Geneva Peace Fellowship 2026 is now open for applications from emerging leaders and professionals committed to advancing peace and humanitarian diplomacy worldwide. This highly competitive programme offers a unique opportunity to spend nine months in Geneva, one of the world’s most important centres for international diplomacy, while gaining practical experience, mentorship, and institutional exposure.
Delivered through a partnership between Interpeace and the Geneva Graduate Institute, the fellowship is designed to equip the next generation of peacebuilders with the leadership capacity, global networks, and strategic insight needed to shape innovative solutions for contemporary global challenges.
As global peace and humanitarian systems face increasingly complex challenges, the International Geneva Peace Fellowship Programme seeks to develop a new generation of professionals ready to lead with purpose and impact.
The 2026 cohort will select 10 exceptional fellows for a fully immersive 9-month residential programme in Geneva, Switzerland, running from September 2026 to June 2027.
Participants will be based at the historic Domaine Barton, overlooking Lake Geneva, where they will collaborate on forward-looking projects addressing some of today’s most urgent peace and humanitarian issues.
The fellowship combines three powerful components: residential learning, institutional placements, and leadership-driven research. Fellows will work directly with major international organisations across Geneva while building practical expertise through real-world policy engagement.
Selected fellows will be placed within prominent institutions such as:
- Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD)
- Kofi Annan Foundation
- Centre for Civilians in Conflict
- International Federation of the Red Cross
- World Council of Churches
Throughout the programme, fellows will receive mentorship from experts, engage in collaborative learning exchanges, and develop strategic initiatives aligned with their professional interests.
The 2026 fellowship focuses on six priority themes:
- The new frontier of peacemaking
- Health and peace
- Ecumenical peacebuilding and faith-based diplomacy
- Youth leadership and peacebuilding
- Protection of civilians in modern conflict
- Women, peace, and inclusive peacebuilding
This is more than a fellowship; it is a leadership accelerator designed to position participants at the centre of international peace diplomacy.
Eligibility
Applicants must fall within at least one of these categories:
- Recent graduates with a Master’s degree completed within 12 months of application
- Advanced PhD candidates transitioning into policy or practice-oriented careers
- Junior professionals with 1–4 years of experience
- Mid-career professionals with 5–10 years of experience
Candidates should also demonstrate:
- Strong leadership potential in peacebuilding, humanitarian diplomacy, international affairs, or social movements
- Strong analytical and/or practical experience
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and/or French
- Ability to work effectively in multicultural environments
- Adaptability across diverse professional contexts
- Availability for full-time residency in Geneva from September 2026 to June 2027
You may also like: University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarship 2026 for Students (Fully Funded)
Benefits
Selected fellows will receive:
- Full participation in a prestigious 9-month Geneva-based fellowship
- Residential placement in Geneva
- Mentorship from leading peace and humanitarian experts
- Institutional placement within globally recognised organisations
- Access to International Geneva’s professional ecosystem
- Leadership training and collaborative research opportunities
- Global networking and career development exposure
- Practical field-oriented experience in peace diplomacy
The programme offers a transformative pathway for those seeking to shape the future of peacebuilding on a global scale.
Application
Applicants must submit:
- A Curriculum Vitae (maximum 2 pages)
- A Cover Letter (maximum 500 words) outlining:
- Preferred thematic area
- Relevant leadership experience
- Why they are a strong fit for the fellowship
- A strategic initiative or idea they wish to develop during the programme
Applications are assessed based on leadership potential, thematic alignment, and the applicant’s ability to contribute meaningfully to International Geneva’s peace ecosystem.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit their application through the official programme portal.
For more details, visit International Geneva Peace Fellowship.
