UN Chemicals and Waste Management Program 2026 in Switzerland (Fully Funded)

Opportunity Details

[Open Call] Youth Scholarships - United Nations Chemicals and Waste Management Study Programme and GFC IC-1 | Geneva 9-20 November 2026

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT APPLICATION: Friday, 11 September 2026, 23:59 UTC

(Successful applicants to be contacted by 19 September 2026.)

** NOTE: If you previously submitted a scholarship application for the July 2026 edition of this programme, are available to participate in the November session, and would like to be considered again, you may indicate this in the application below. Your previous application will then be reviewed for the November session, and you do not need to complete a new application. Alternatively, you are welcome to submit a new application if there have been significant updates to your experience, activities, or circumstances that you believe would better reflect your current candidacy.

Dear youth, students and youth organizations,

Following our successful collaboration in July 2026 for the inaugural United Nations Chemicals and Waste Management Study Programme (read summary here), the Chemicals and Waste Youth Platform (CWYP) and United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) are pleased to offer up to 8 fully-funded scholarships for youth, students, recent graduates and early-career professionals (up to age 35) to participate in the second edition of the programme to be hosted from 9-13 November 2026 in Geneva.

Participation in the Study Programme will be complemented by additional opportunities coordinated by CWYP to engage in negotiations and youth events as part of the Global Framework on Chemicals First International Conference (GFC IC-1) from 14-20 November.

Participants will partake in structured, small-group learning and professional development experiences through the Study Programme, including a look "behind the scenes" at chemicals and waste processes in the UN system in Geneva, interactive training sessions with experts, and guidance into career pathways in the UN and international environmental governance.

I. ELIGIBILITY

Scholarships are open to youth meeting the following criteria, without exceptions:

• Are between the ages of 18 and 35 at the time of application;

• Are from a Low and Middle-Income Country (LMIC), Least Developed Country (LDC), Small Island Developing State (SIDS), or are a representative of Indigenous Peoples;

• Are available to travel and be present in Geneva from 8-20 November (inclusive), and are committed to participating in the full duration of the programme; and

• Have submitted this completed application form by the deadline (11 September 2026).

Applications will be evaluated by the Selection Team for sincere, detailed responses to the written prompts that demonstrate:

• Clear motivation for participating in the programme and how it aligns with current work, interests, and future career aspirations in chemicals and waste management, environmental health or related fields; and
• Commitment to sharing knowledge learned and contributing to follow-up activities within their communities, organizations or networks.

NOTE: Copy-pasted AI-generated responses are not permitted. Sincere, personalized applications generally stand out and receive greater support from the Selection Team, even if they are not grammatically "perfect." Share with us what specifically excites you about participating, discuss a project you are working on, tell us a story. We want to learn about you, in your own voice.

II. EXPECTED TRAVEL SUPPORT COVERAGE

The following is an overview of travel arrangements and financial support to be provided to youth selected for the scholarships. More detailed logistics will be shared with successful applicants.

Fully-Funded Travel Grants [Open to youth from LMIC/LDCs and Indigenous Peoples]

• Economy-class, round-trip flight tickets booked by the Organizing Team.
• Hotel accommodation arranged by the Organizing Team.
• Coverage of Study Programme fees.
• Reimbursement of meals, visa fees and transportation costs against receipts and as approved by Organizing Team.

NOTE: Confirmation of visas are at the discretion of the host (and any transit) country. Confirmation of registration to attend the Study Programme and GFC IC-1 is at the discretion of UNITAR and the GFC Secretariat, respectively. We are not responsible for visas or registrations not being approved. Filling this form does not guarantee admission to the Study Programme or associated events.

III. ABOUT THE UNITAR STUDY PROGRAMME

UNITAR has been a global leader in capacity building since 1963, providing over 500,000 learning initiatives annually. Through its Division for Planet, UNITAR's Chemicals and Waste Management Programme supports countries in the implementation of international agreements related to chemicals and waste, including the: Basel Convention (transboundary movement of hazardous waste), Rotterdam Convention (prior informed consent for trade in hazardous chemicals), Stockholm Convention (eliminating persistent organic pollutants POPs), Minamata Convention (mercury) and Global Framework on Chemicals. As of 2026, UNITAR also serves as the host of the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC) Secretariat.

The November edition of the Study Programme will feature:

• Expert lectures and technical workshops on the UN's work on a range of thematic areas related to chemicals and waste management;
• Site visits to Geneva-based institutions such as the Palais des Nations and touring a hazardous waste management facility;
• Career sessions providing insights on the UN internship and entry-level recruitment process; and
• The Pollution Solutions Lab, a flagship CWYP-UNITAR innovation / "hackathon" session where participants work collaboratively to design practical project proposals addressing chemicals and waste management challenges.

Participants completing the programme will receive a UNITAR Certificate of Completion.

For those requiring support on their visa applications, kindly note UNITAR can provide assistance by providing an official letter of invitation upon confirmation of registration in this programme.

• Read more about the experiences of participants during the inaugural session of the Study Programme

• Join the virtual information session on 19 August (14-15:30 CEST) to learn more about what to expect

IV. ABOUT THE GLOBAL FRAMEWORK ON CHEMICALS

The Global Framework on Chemicals - For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste (GFC) is a comprehensive policy plan adopted in September 2023 at the 5th International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM5). It addresses a broad range of chemical safety issues - from highly hazardous pesticides to endocrine disrupting chemicals to pharmaceutical pollutants - and replaces the earlier Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM). Building upon SAICM's legacy, the GFC provides a more concrete set of 5 strategic objectives and 28 targets, most of which are set to be achieved by 2030-2035. While voluntary (not legally-binding), the GFC serves as a centralized strategy connecting governments, civil society stakeholders, academia, and the private sector to enhance global coordination, mobilize political will, and drive action on safer chemicals management, from innovation to production to disposal.

Youth have a rare and powerful opportunity to shape the framework’s implementation in ways rarely seen in other UN negotiation processes. The GFC's multistakeholder, multisectoral engagement model allows for youth and other civil society groups to directly propose text and resolutions, deliver interventions throughout the negotiations alongside country delegates, and nominate specific chemicals issues of concern to be considered for action.

As the body coordinating youth engagement in the Global Framework on Chemicals, the Chemicals and Waste Youth Platform will contribute collective youth policy recommendations to GFC IC-1. Youth delegates can be expected to deliver spoken and written interventions during the negotiations, meet with country and stakeholder delegations to discuss youth priorities, and engage in the 3-day Youth Forum on Chemicals and Waste, a special event of GFC IC-1.

V. SUPPORT WITH SELECTIONS

If you are not applying for the Study Programme and would like to join the Selection Team to evaluate and select youth candidates to receive the scholarships, please email secretariat@chemwasteyouth.org with subject line "Selection Team Volunteer - CW Study Programme," and include your name, date of birth and contact information in the body of the email.

VI. PRIVACY NOTICE

The personal information you provide in this form will only be accessed by the Organizing Team for the purpose of facilitating participation in this programme. Your information will not be shared outside of the Organizing Team and will not be retained beyond the programme dates.

For travel grant applications, all submissions are anonymized before being shared with the independent Selection Team.

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Have you read and understand the information provided above? *

You are welcome to provide written responses to the questions in the form in any language. If you have any questions about the registration/application process, please contact secretariat@chemwasteyouth.org

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Full Name (include your first name and surname): *

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Did you previously submit a scholarship application for the July 2026 edition of the UN Chemicals and Waste Management Study Programme and would like your previous application to be considered for the November 2026 session? *

Yes — I would like my previous application to be reviewed for the November 2026 session.

No — I did not previously apply, or I would prefer to submit a new application.

Would you like to be added to CWYP's membership mailing list to be notified of future opportunities? *

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