FAO Fellows Programme 2026: Global Research Assignments at FAO Offices Worldwide ·FAO Offices Worldwide

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has opened applications for its 2026 Call for Expression of Interest for the Fellows Programme. The call covers FAO headquarters, regional and subregional offices, country offices, and liaison offices in various locations worldwide.

Through this programme, FAO seeks individuals with advanced technical knowledge, professional experience, and research expertise who can pursue specialized learning objectives while contributing meaningfully to the Organization’s work.

Assignments may last for up to 11 months and will be matched to the candidate’s expertise and the operational needs of the hosting FAO office. All assignments are expected to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, FAO’s Strategic Framework, and the transformation of agrifood systems.

Applications must be submitted through the official FAO recruitment portal by 25 August 2026.

A crucial condition must be understood before applying: FAO does not pay fellows a salary, stipend, or other remuneration. Candidates must be fully sponsored by an external entity and must identify their sponsoring institution in the application.

FAO Fellows Programme 2026 overview

About the Food and Agriculture Organization

FAO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to eliminate hunger, improve food security and nutrition, and ensure that people have regular access to sufficient and high-quality food.

The Organization has 195 Members and operates in more than 130 countries. Its work brings together governments, researchers, technical experts, development institutions, communities, and other partners to address complex global and national challenges affecting agriculture and food systems.

Although FAO is commonly associated with agricultural production, its work covers a much broader range of areas, including:

• Food security and nutrition
• Sustainable agriculture
• Agrifood-system transformation
• Rural development
• Agricultural economics and markets
• Climate-change adaptation and mitigation
• Fisheries and aquaculture
• Forestry and biodiversity
• Livestock and animal health
• Natural-resource management
• Food safety and international standards
• Agricultural data and statistics
• Social protection and rural livelihoods
• Emergency response and resilience
• Institutional governance and capacity development
• Innovation, technology and digital agriculture
• Monitoring, evaluation and impact assessment

The programme can therefore accommodate expertise from several academic and professional disciplines, provided the proposed work has a clear connection with FAO’s mandate.

Purpose of the FAO Fellows Programme

The Fellows Programme aims to connect advanced academic and research expertise with FAO’s practical technical, policy and development work.

It typically attracts people who already possess considerable knowledge and experience in a field relevant to FAO. These individuals are expected to pursue clearly defined learning or research objectives while contributing their technical expertise to the hosting office.

The arrangement is intended to provide value to both parties:

• The fellow gains exposure to FAO’s international technical and policy environment.
• FAO receives specialized research, analysis, knowledge or technical support.
• The hosting office can benefit from contemporary academic methods and evidence.
• The fellow can connect academic or professional expertise with real institutional and development challenges.

This is not intended to be a passive study visit. Each assignment is a structured and time-bound arrangement based on the requirements of an FAO office and the expertise of the selected fellow.

Alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals

Every assignment should align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and FAO’s Strategic Framework.

FAO’s transformation agenda focuses on creating agrifood systems that are:

• More efficient
• More inclusive
• More resilient
• More sustainable

The Organization expresses this vision through its Four Betters:

1. Better production
2. Better nutrition
3. A better environment
4. A better life

These priorities support FAO’s contribution to the 2030 Agenda and its commitment to leaving no one behind.

Applicants should therefore connect their proposed research or technical work with a specific development challenge. A proposal will be stronger when it explains how the expected findings or outputs can support FAO programmes, policies, Member Nations or relevant SDG targets.

Potential technical areas of assignment

The announcement does not restrict fellows to one discipline. The specific field of work will depend on the applicant’s profile and the needs of the Organization.

Potential areas may include:

• Hunger reduction and food security
• Nutrition and healthy diets
• Sustainable agricultural production
• Climate-resilient agriculture
• Agricultural value chains and markets
• Rural development and livelihoods
• Food-loss and food-waste reduction
• Natural-resource and ecosystem management
• Water and soil management
• Forestry, fisheries and aquaculture
• Livestock development and animal health
• Agricultural trade and economics
• Food safety and quality standards
• Social protection and inclusive rural development
• Women’s economic participation in agrifood systems
• Youth engagement and employment
• Agricultural statistics and data systems
• Monitoring and evaluation
• Policy research and impact assessment
• Digital agriculture and technological innovation
• Disaster-risk reduction and emergency response
• Institutional governance and capacity development
• Knowledge management and partnerships

This list is illustrative rather than exhaustive. FAO will determine the actual technical focus according to organizational priorities and the needs of the relevant hosting office.

Reporting arrangements

Each selected fellow will report to an assigned supervisor.

The responsible FAO office will prepare specific Terms of Reference before the assignment begins. These Terms of Reference will define:

• The purpose of the assignment
• The fellow’s duties and responsibilities
• Research or learning objectives
• Required technical contributions
• Expected deliverables
• Reporting arrangements
• Assignment duration
• Relevant deadlines and milestones
• Supervision and coordination arrangements

Because each Terms of Reference is developed by the hiring office, the duties will differ between assignments. A fellow may undertake research, policy analysis, data analysis, evidence synthesis, programme support, technical documentation, knowledge-sharing activities or methodological development.

Applicants should not assume that all FAO offices offer identical assignments. Selection depends on whether a particular office has a genuine need that matches the applicant’s background.

Assignment locations

The call covers:

• FAO headquarters
• Regional offices
• Subregional offices
• Country offices
• Liaison offices

The official location is stated as “Various Locations.” Fellows can be assigned to an FAO office where a suitable technical match and hosting arrangement exist.

A candidate does not automatically receive the right to select any FAO office or country. The final location will depend on:

• Organizational requirements
• Availability of a suitable hosting office
• Technical compatibility
• Agreement between the fellow and hosting office
• Sponsorship arrangements
• Immigration and residence requirements

Selected candidates must have appropriate residence or immigration status in the proposed country of assignment before joining the Organization. Applicants should not assume that FAO will automatically secure immigration permission on their behalf.

Duration of the assignment

An assignment can last for up to a maximum of 11 months.

The actual duration may be shorter depending on:

• The approved Terms of Reference
• Research and learning objectives
• Hosting-office requirements
• Availability of external sponsorship
• Agreed deliverables and work plan
• Operational or immigration considerations

Applicants should develop a research plan that can reasonably be completed within the proposed assignment period.

Financial and sponsorship conditions

FAO does not provide remuneration to fellows.

This means the programme does not offer:

• A salary
• A monthly stipend
• Standard employee compensation
• FAO-funded accommodation

Candidates must be fully sponsored by an external entity. The name of the sponsoring institution or institutions should be mentioned in the application.

Applicants should clarify the exact financial coverage with their proposed sponsor before applying. Depending on the sponsorship agreement, matters requiring confirmation may include:

• Travel expenses
• Accommodation
• Living costs
• Local transportation
• Visa-related expenses
• Research costs
• Medical insurance
• Other assignment-related expenses

Applicants should not wait until selection to begin looking for sponsorship. A credible and confirmed sponsorship arrangement is a central programme condition.

Medical coverage and insurance

FAO provides medical coverage for service-incurred matters and pays the related premium.

However, fellows must arrange and pay for medical insurance covering non-service-incurred matters throughout their assignment.

Applicants should therefore review their insurance position carefully and confirm that they will have suitable medical coverage for the entire assignment period.

Accommodation arrangements

FAO does not provide financial or organizational assistance for accommodation.

The fellow, or the sponsoring institution where applicable, is responsible for arranging and funding accommodation at the duty station.

Candidates should research living costs and accommodation availability before accepting any proposed assignment.

FAO core competencies

Candidates will be assessed against the following core competencies:

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Applicants should demonstrate these competencies through concrete professional, academic or research examples rather than simply listing them.

For example, candidates can describe situations in which they:

• Delivered measurable research or programme results
• Worked successfully with multidisciplinary teams
• Communicated technical information to non-technical audiences
• Built relationships with institutions or stakeholders
• Shared knowledge or introduced improved working methods

FAO professional values

All candidates are expected to uphold FAO’s principal values:

• Commitment to FAO
• Respect for All
• Integrity and Transparency

FAO is committed to workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture.

The Organization maintains zero tolerance for:

• Sexual exploitation and abuse
• Sexual harassment
• Abuse of authority
• Discrimination
• Conduct inconsistent with FAO’s mandate or United Nations standards

Selected candidates will undergo reference and background checks. Applications will be handled with strict confidentiality. FAO is also a non-smoking work environment.

Documents required for the application

Applicants must complete an online profile through the FAO recruitment portal.

The profile should accurately include:

• Complete employment history
• Research experience
• Academic qualifications
• Language proficiency
• Technical knowledge
• Relevant skills
• Other information requested by the recruitment system

Candidates must also attach:

1. A research proposal
2. Evidence of attendance at a recognized university or copies of relevant academic qualifications

FAO screens applications using the information entered in the online profile. Applicants should not assume that uploading a CV or proposal will compensate for an incomplete profile.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Preparing a strong research proposal

FAO requires applicants to attach a research proposal, although the public vacancy announcement does not specify a universal format or word limit.

Unless additional instructions appear in the recruitment portal, a strong proposal should cover:

1. Research title

Use a focused and technically relevant title that clearly identifies the proposed subject.

2. Background and problem statement

Explain the policy, technical, institutional or development problem that the research will address.

3. Relevance to FAO

Describe how the proposed work connects with FAO’s mandate, Strategic Framework and areas of technical responsibility.

4. SDG alignment

Identify the Sustainable Development Goals and targets to which the proposed work can contribute.

5. Research objectives

State clear, measurable and realistic objectives.

6. Methodology

Explain the methods, data sources, analytical framework, research tools or consultation processes that will be used.

7. Expected outputs

Possible outputs might include:

• A research paper
• Policy recommendations
• A technical report
• A data-analysis framework
• A methodology or toolkit
• A knowledge product
• A monitoring framework
• A capacity-development resource

Applicants should not promise a particular output unless it is feasible within the proposed duration.

8. Practical contribution

Explain how the work could support FAO, a hosting office, Member Nations or relevant agrifood-system stakeholders.

9. Work plan

Provide a realistic sequence of activities, milestones and expected completion dates.

10. Applicant’s contribution

Explain the knowledge, professional experience and technical capabilities that distinguish the applicant.

11. Ethical and data considerations

Address research ethics, confidentiality, data protection, stakeholder consent or other relevant safeguards.

This structure is practical guidance rather than a prescribed FAO template. Applicants should follow any additional instructions shown in the official recruitment portal.

How to apply

Step 1: Open the official vacancy

Visit the FAO vacancy announcement 2600010.

Step 2: Create or access your candidate account

First-time applicants must create an online candidate profile. Existing applicants should log in and review their information.

Step 3: Complete the entire profile

Provide accurate information about:

• Employment
• Research
• Education
• Languages
• Technical expertise
• Relevant experience

Step 4: Confirm external sponsorship

Identify a credible sponsoring institution and discuss the proposed financial arrangements.

Do not name an institution as a confirmed sponsor unless it has genuinely agreed to support the assignment.

Step 5: Prepare the research proposal

Tailor the proposal to FAO’s mandate, Strategic Framework and relevant Sustainable Development Goals.

Step 6: Upload supporting documents

Attach the research proposal and the required evidence of academic attendance or qualifications.

Check that every document:

• Opens correctly
• Is clearly readable
• Has the correct filename
• Has been uploaded in the appropriate section
• Contains current and accurate information

Step 7: Apply specifically to announcement 2600010

Creating a candidate profile does not constitute an application. The candidate must open the specific vacancy and formally submit the application.

Step 8: Confirm submission

Check the portal to ensure the application status shows that it has been submitted successfully.

Step 9: Apply before the final day

FAO encourages candidates to submit well before the deadline. Early submission provides time to resolve technical, login or document-upload problems.

Only applications received through the official FAO recruitment portal will be considered.

Screening and selection process

Applications will be reviewed according to the information provided in the online profile and attachments.

Only qualified candidates selected for an interview will be contacted directly by the responsible hiring office.

Submitting an application does not guarantee:

• An interview
• Selection
• A placement
• Assignment to a preferred location
• Future consideration under another call

FAO does not maintain a continuing roster of unsuccessful Fellows Programme applicants. Candidates who are not selected before the closing date and want to remain under consideration must apply again when a new Call for Expression of Interest is published.

Personal-data processing

Information submitted through the recruitment portal may be shared within FAO and with organizations acting on FAO’s behalf to provide recruitment-support services.

These services may include:

• Application pre-screening
• Assessments
• Background checks
• Reference verification
• Related recruitment support

Applicants will be asked to provide consent before submitting their application.

A candidate may withdraw consent by withdrawing the application. However, FAO will then be unable to continue considering that application.

Application deadline

The application deadline is 25 August 2026.

FAO explains that the closing date and time displayed on the vacancy page may reflect the date and time settings of the applicant’s device. Its general application guidance states that vacancy announcements are removed from the career site at 23:59 Central European Time on the closing date.

Applicants should consult the live vacancy page for the localized closing time and submit several days early.

Common mistakes applicants should avoid

• Assuming that FAO provides a salary or stipend
• Applying without a credible external sponsor
• Naming an organization as a sponsor without securing its agreement
• Submitting a generic research proposal
• Failing to connect the proposal with FAO’s mandate
• Leaving profile sections incomplete
• Providing inconsistent dates or employment details
• Uploading unreadable or incorrect documents
• Omitting evidence of academic qualifications
• Creating a profile without formally submitting the application
• Attempting to submit an application by email
• Waiting until the final hours
• Miscalculating the deadline because of time-zone differences

Recruitment safeguards

FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of its recruitment process, including:

• Application
• Interview
• Processing
• Selection
• Training

Applicants should reject any request for payment claiming to be connected to FAO recruitment.

Applications must be submitted through the official career portal. FAO support or Fellows Programme email addresses may respond to appropriate questions, but they do not accept applications.

Official application link

Applications should be submitted through the official FAO recruitment portal:

Apply for the FAO Fellows Programme 2026

Applicants may also consult:

• Official FAO Fellows Programme page
• FAO Fellows Programme FAQs
• FAO application guidance

Conclusion

The FAO Fellows Programme 2026 provides an important opportunity for advanced researchers and technical specialists to connect their expertise with the work of a major United Nations organization.

Selected fellows may contribute to research, evidence, policies, programmes, data systems and technical solutions supporting food security, sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, better nutrition and inclusive agrifood-system transformation.

Nevertheless, applicants must assess the conditions realistically. The programme does not provide a salary or stipend, requires full external sponsorship, does not fund or arrange accommodation, and requires fellows to obtain their own non-service medical insurance.

A competitive application will require more than strong academic qualifications. Candidates should present a focused research proposal, demonstrate relevant experience, connect their work with FAO priorities and the SDGs, submit complete documentation, and establish a credible sponsorship arrangement.

The deadline is 25 August 2026. Eligible candidates should apply early through the official FAO recruitment portal.

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