UNESCO Doctoral Internships 2026–2027 in Paris, France | Fully Supported Research Internship for UCL PhD Students ·2027 in Paris, France | Fully Supported Research Internship for UCL PhD Students

The UNESCO Doctoral Internships 2026–2027 present an outstanding opportunity for doctoral researchers at University College London (UCL) to gain international research experience while contributing to one of UNESCO’s flagship education initiatives. Hosted at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, these six-month research internships will allow successful applicants to work directly with the Global Happy Schools Initiative, a UNESCO-led programme dedicated to promoting educational equity, wellbeing, peace, inclusion, and values-based education around the world.

Developed through the partnership between UNESCO’s Happy Schools Initiative and UCL’s Grand Challenge of Inequalities, the internships provide doctoral students with the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research addressing some of today’s most pressing educational challenges, including peacebuilding, community learning, social cohesion, displacement, and educational inequalities.

Successful interns will receive financial support toward accommodation in Paris and travel between London and Paris, making this a valuable opportunity for doctoral students interested in international education, public policy, educational research, and sustainable development.

About the UNESCO Doctoral Internship Programme

UNESCO is inviting applications from doctoral students currently enrolled at University College London (UCL) to participate in one of two research internships focused on advancing the Global Happy Schools Initiative.

The internships are designed to explore how education systems can create learning environments that foster:

• Educational equity
• Student and teacher wellbeing
• Peacebuilding
• Social cohesion
• Community engagement
• Democratic participation
• Inclusive education
• Lifelong learning

Interns will be based at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, where they will work alongside experts involved in implementing and expanding the Global Happy Schools Initiative.

The placements are expected to begin no later than March 2027 and will run for six months.

What is the UNESCO Global Happy Schools Initiative?

The Global Happy Schools Initiative is a UNESCO-led programme that promotes educational environments where wellbeing, equity, inclusion, and values-based learning become central components of school systems.

Rather than measuring success solely through academic performance, the initiative recognizes that thriving schools are built through positive relationships, supportive learning environments, inclusive practices, and community participation.

The initiative seeks to improve both wellbeing and educational outcomes by creating schools where learners, educators, and communities can flourish together.

The Four Pillars of the Happy Schools Framework

At the heart of the initiative is the Happy Schools Framework, which organizes positive learning environments around four interconnected pillars.

1. People

This pillar focuses on:

• Positive relationships
• Emotional wellbeing
• Social-emotional learning
• Respect
• Positive attitudes
• Strong teacher-student relationships

Research demonstrates that healthy interpersonal relationships contribute significantly to improved learning outcomes and student wellbeing.

2. Process

This pillar emphasizes:

• Balanced curricula
• Active learning
• Innovative teaching approaches
• Holistic assessment methods
• Student-centered pedagogies

Rather than relying solely on examinations, the framework promotes learning experiences that encourage participation, creativity, and critical thinking.

3. Place

The Place pillar focuses on creating supportive learning environments through:

• Inclusive schools
• Safe physical spaces
• Accessible digital learning
• Community-centered education
• Welcoming school environments

These environments encourage collaboration, inclusion, and lifelong learning.

4. Principles

The Principles pillar promotes:

• Trust
• Inclusion
• Empowerment
• Democratic participation
• Equity
• Shared values

Together, these principles create school cultures where every learner feels valued and supported.

Countries Already Participating

The Happy Schools Initiative has already been launched in several countries, including:

• Portugal
• Viet Nam
• Japan
• Lao People’s Democratic Republic
• Thailand

The initiative continues to expand internationally as UNESCO works with governments and education partners worldwide.

Internship Duration

The selected interns will complete:

• Six-month research placement
• Based at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris
• Expected to begin no later than March 2027

Financial Support

Successful applicants will receive financial assistance from UCL, including:

• Contribution toward accommodation costs in Paris
• Support for travel between London and Paris

This funding helps reduce the financial burden associated with undertaking an international research placement.

Visa Support

As the internships will take place in France, successful applicants will receive visa guidance from the French Embassy.

Participants will be required to apply for a French student trainee visa through the French Consulate because they will not be enrolled in a French higher education institution during the internship.

The Embassy will provide:

• Information on visa requirements
• Guidance throughout the application process
• Support regarding relevant French visa procedures

Internship Opportunity 1: Pedagogies for Peace and the Happy Schools Initiative

The first internship focuses on understanding how the Happy Schools Framework can be expanded into settings affected by:

• Armed conflict
• Forced displacement
• Social inequality
• Fragile communities
• Economic disadvantage

The research seeks to explore how schools can become spaces that actively promote:

• Peacebuilding
• Democratic participation
• Social cohesion
• Inclusive education
• Conflict-sensitive teaching

This internship investigates how educational environments can contribute to peaceful societies through values-based education.

Areas of Focus

The internship includes:

• Research into peace education
• Analysis of educational inequalities
• Examination of displacement contexts
• Democratic participation in schools
• Social cohesion initiatives

Internship Opportunity 2: Community Learning Hubs and the Happy Schools Initiative

The second internship explores one of the newest components of the Happy Schools Framework—the concept of Community Learning Hubs.

UNESCO’s recent Working Paper No. 19 established five principles connecting community learning hubs to the Happy Schools Framework.

However, UNESCO notes that there is still limited evidence demonstrating how schools actually implement these principles in practice.

This internship therefore aims to investigate:

• How schools operationalize Community Hub principles
• Which Happy Schools pillars support community engagement
• Challenges schools encounter when functioning as community hubs
• Ways multi-service community hubs can implement the Happy Schools Framework

Key Research Questions

The second internship will explore questions such as:

• How are Community Hubs implemented in schools using the Happy Schools Framework?
• Which of the four pillars most effectively support community learning?
• What barriers prevent schools from functioning as community hubs?
• How can non-school community hubs adopt the Happy Schools Framework?

What Interns Will Gain

Participants will benefit from:

• International research experience
• Direct collaboration with UNESCO experts
• Exposure to global education policy
• Experience conducting applied educational research
• Professional networking
• International work experience
• Practical understanding of education for sustainable development
• Research skills in education and public policy

Why This Internship Matters

Education systems worldwide face increasing challenges related to:

• Conflict
• Displacement
• Inequality
• Mental wellbeing
• Community resilience
• Social cohesion

The UNESCO Doctoral Internships provide researchers with an opportunity to contribute directly to solutions that improve learning environments for millions of learners globally.

By supporting research into Happy Schools, peace education, and community learning, interns become part of UNESCO’s broader effort to create equitable, inclusive, and sustainable education systems.

Click HERE to learn more.

How to Apply

Interested doctoral students should:

1. Review the internship descriptions.
2. Choose the internship that best aligns with their research interests.
3. Complete the online application form.
4. Submit the application before the stated deadline.

Applicants are encouraged to prepare a strong application highlighting:

• Doctoral research interests
• Academic achievements
• Relevant educational research experience
• Interest in UNESCO’s mission
• Motivation for participating

Application Deadline

The application deadline for both internships is:

Friday, 28 August 2026 at 17:00

Late applications may not be considered.

Click HERE to apply.

Conclusion

The UNESCO Doctoral Internships 2026–2027 offer an exceptional opportunity for UCL doctoral students to contribute to one of UNESCO’s most innovative global education initiatives while gaining valuable international research experience in Paris. Through six months of immersive research at UNESCO Headquarters, interns will help shape future educational policies centered on wellbeing, peace, inclusion, and community learning.

With financial assistance for travel and accommodation, expert mentorship, and the opportunity to work alongside leading education specialists, these internships provide an outstanding platform for doctoral researchers seeking to make a meaningful contribution to global education while strengthening their academic and professional careers.

Click HERE for more internship opportunities.