Japan’s FY2026 Mid-Career Course Opens Applications: Fully Funded Peacebuilding & International Development Training for Global Professionals ·Career Course Opens Applications: Fully Funded Peacebuilding & International Development Training for Global Professionals

Apply for Japan’s FY2026 Mid-Career Course for experienced peacebuilding and international development professionals. Fully funded for international participants. Deadline: 31 August 2026.

Mid-level professionals working in peacebuilding, international development, and the humanitarian sector now have an exciting opportunity to strengthen their leadership skills through Japan’s prestigious FY2026 Mid-Career Course. Organized under the Global Peace and Development Career Network (GPAD) at Hiroshima University and supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, the programme is designed to help experienced professionals advance their careers in the United Nations and other international organizations.

The intensive training programme will bring together approximately 20 Japanese and international participants from around the world for a fully immersive professional development experience conducted entirely in English.

For eligible non-Japanese participants, the programme covers accommodation and domestic transportation within Japan, making it an excellent opportunity for international professionals seeking to expand their careers in peacebuilding and development.

Applications close on 31 August 2026.

About the FY2026 Mid-Career Course

The Mid-Career Course is a specialized professional development programme created for professionals who already possess substantial experience in peacebuilding and international development but wish to move into more senior leadership positions.

Unlike entry-level training programmes, this course focuses on helping participants strengthen the strategic, leadership, and professional competencies required for mid-level positions within:

• United Nations agencies
• International organizations
• Government institutions
• NGOs and NPOs
• Development agencies
• Humanitarian organizations
• International policy institutions

Participants will engage with experts, practitioners, and fellow professionals from diverse countries and sectors, creating an excellent international networking opportunity.

Programme Dates

The programme consists of both online and in-person components.

Online Session

• One pre-course online session
• Scheduled for December 2026 (exact date to be confirmed)

In-Person Workshop

• 7 January 2027 – 13 January 2027
• Venue: Higashi-Hiroshima City, Japan

The intensive residential workshop will provide practical learning, interactive discussions, leadership development, and peer exchange.

Who Can Apply?

Applications are welcomed from professionals worldwide working across various sectors.

Eligible applicants may come from:

• International organizations
• United Nations agencies
• Government ministries
• Civil society organizations
• NGOs
• NPOs
• Private sector organizations
• Development institutions

The programme seeks a diverse cohort representing different countries and professional backgrounds.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Have at least seven years of professional experience in peacebuilding and/or international development.
• Demonstrate fluency in both spoken and written English.
• Show strong interest in advancing a career within the United Nations or other international organizations.
• Be committed to participating fully in all programme activities, including both the online session and the in-person training.

Because the programme targets experienced professionals, applicants should already have a proven record of work within the international development or peacebuilding sectors.

Financial Support

One of the major advantages of this programme is its generous financial support for international participants.

For Non-Japanese Participants

Participation in the course is free of charge.

The programme also covers:

• Accommodation during the training
• Transportation between Tokyo and Higashi-Hiroshima
• Domestic travel associated with the programme

Participants are responsible for:

• International airfare to and from Japan
• Meals
• Personal expenses
• Any additional travel outside the programme schedule

For Japanese Participants

Japanese participants are expected to contribute approximately ¥120,000, covering accommodation, meals, and domestic transportation between Tokyo and Higashi-Hiroshima.

What Participants Will Gain

The Mid-Career Course aims to strengthen participants’ professional capacity by helping them:

• Advance careers within the UN system
• Prepare for mid-level international positions
• Improve leadership and management skills
• Expand professional networks
• Learn from experienced peacebuilding practitioners
• Understand current international development challenges
• Enhance strategic thinking and policy skills
• Exchange experiences with professionals from around the world

The programme is particularly valuable for professionals seeking promotion within international organizations.

Why This Programme Matters

Peacebuilding and international development require highly skilled professionals capable of navigating complex political, humanitarian, and development challenges.

Japan has long invested in strengthening global peacebuilding capacity through its Human Resource Development Program for Peacebuilding and Development.

The Mid-Career Course contributes to this vision by equipping experienced professionals with advanced skills while fostering international collaboration among practitioners working in conflict prevention, post-conflict recovery, governance, humanitarian response, and sustainable development.

Participants also benefit from learning within Hiroshima—a city globally recognized as a symbol of peace and reconciliation.

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How to Apply

Interested applicants should:

1. Download the official Mid-Career Course Application Form.
2. Complete the application in Microsoft Word format (PDF submissions are not accepted).
3. UN staff members may submit their UN Personal History Form in place of the Employment Information section, provided they indicate staff category, level, and contract type.
4. Email the completed application to:

gpad-midcareer@office.hiroshima-u.ac.jp

Email Subject

Applicants should use the following format:

2026 Mid-Career Course application (First Name Last Name – Country)

Application Deadline

The deadline for submitting applications is:

31 August 2026

Time: 5:00 PM (Japan Standard Time)

Late applications are unlikely to be considered, so prospective participants are encouraged to prepare and submit their documents well before the deadline.

Final Thoughts

For professionals seeking to accelerate their careers in peacebuilding and international development, Japan’s FY2026 Mid-Career Course offers an exceptional opportunity to gain advanced professional training while connecting with an international network of practitioners.

With fully funded participation for eligible international applicants, expert-led instruction, and a curriculum tailored to experienced professionals, the programme provides valuable preparation for leadership roles within the United Nations and other global organizations.

Applicants with at least seven years of relevant professional experience and a strong commitment to peacebuilding and development are encouraged to submit their applications before 31 August 2026.

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