UNU Junior Fellows Internship 2027 in Tokyo, Japan: Eligibility, Stipend and How to Apply

The United Nations University (UNU) offers a paid six-month internship in the Office of the Rector at its headquarters in Tokyo. Junior Fellows work on research briefs, events, communications and the running of the university, from 1 March to 27 August 2027. The programme is for master’s and PhD students and recent graduates aged 32 or under, from any country. Applications close on 1 November 2026.

This guide was last checked on 21 October 2026 against the official UNU careers page for the Junior Fellows Internship, spring 2027.

UNU Junior Fellows Internship at a glance

Is this internship right for you?

The Junior Fellows Internship suits graduate students who want practical experience inside an international organisation. Check these points first:

• Your stage of study. You must be in a master’s or PhD programme, or have finished one in the last two years. Bachelor’s students are not eligible.
• Your age and experience. You must be 32 or younger, with no more than five years of related work experience.
• Your time. The internship is full-time for about six months, from March to August 2027. If you are still studying, check that your university allows this.
• Your budget. The stipend only partly covers living costs, and Tokyo can be expensive. Plan how you will cover the rest.
• Your interests. The work is operational: briefs, events, editing and analysis. If you want a pure research internship, this may not be the best fit.

What is the United Nations University?

The United Nations University is the academic and research arm of the United Nations, with its headquarters in Tokyo. The Office of the Rector is the university’s central office, which supports its leadership. Junior Fellows work at the headquarters in Shibuya, alongside staff who run the university’s operations, events and communications.

What Junior Fellows do

The official page lists these tasks:

• Administrative research and writing, such as executive briefs and background briefs for internal policy.
• Planning support, including project management tools.
• Analysis of university operations, using tools such as Excel.
• Coordinating events such as lectures, conferences and workshops, in person and online.
• Meeting logistics and taking minutes.
• Editorial support, such as proofreading and copy editing.
• Communications, such as newsletters and event summaries.

This is a practical internship in how an international organisation works, rather than a research internship on one project.

Stipend and benefits

Interns who receive no financial support from other sources, such as universities or institutions, get a monthly stipend to partly cover living costs, including transport to and from the headquarters. Scholarships for academic studies do not count as financial support for this purpose. UNU sets the amount for each duty station, and the figure is not stated on the official page. Part-time arrangements are paid pro rata.

Interns also get office space and free access to the library and gym where available, and 1.5 days of leave per month. Travel to Tokyo and visa costs are not mentioned on the official page, so plan to cover them yourself unless UNU tells you otherwise.

Why this internship is worth applying for

Six months in the central office of a UN institution gives you a close view of how an international organisation plans, decides and communicates. You practise skills employers value: writing clear briefs, organising events, analysing data and working in a multicultural team. The programme also welcomes candidates from developing countries and women in particular, and it does not charge any fee. For graduate students who want a career in international affairs or development, it is a strong first step.

Who can apply

• Study: you are studying for a master’s or doctoral degree, or you completed one within the last two years. A field related to UNU’s work is preferred.
• Age: 32 or younger when you apply.
• Experience: no more than five years of work experience in the related field.
• English: native or fluent. You need a valid TOEFL, IELTS or TOEIC report unless English is your native language or the language of your university studies.
• Skills: advanced computer skills (Microsoft Office; Excel is a plus), and strong research, writing and analytical skills.
• Interest: a demonstrated interest in the UN and UNU.

No nationality restriction is stated. UNU strongly encourages applications from developing countries and from women. Applicants living in Japan and overseas are both considered.

Proving your English

You do not need a test if English is your native language or the language of instruction for your undergraduate or graduate studies. In that case, a document from your university showing English as the medium of instruction is a good idea to keep ready. If neither applies, upload a valid TOEFL, IELTS or TOEIC report. The official page refers to preferred score ranges, but the figures were not readable in the version we checked, so look at the page carefully before you book a test. Our comparison of IELTS and TOEFL can help you choose.

Common questions about timing

The internship starts on 1 March 2027, about four months after the closing date. Selection has three stages, followed by the Agreement Form and, for many applicants, a Japanese visa. Keep your calendar flexible from November to January for a possible interview and timed assignment, and be ready to start your visa process quickly if you are selected.

Documents you need

1. CV in English, no more than two single-sided pages. The P11 form is not needed, even though the upload field mentions it.
2. Cover letter in English, no more than one page, covering your motivation, how you would contribute and how the programme fits your career goals.
3. Application Form, completed in Microsoft Word or by hand, then uploaded.
4. Funding Form, showing the source, amount and duration of any actual or projected funding for your time in Tokyo.
5. Two recommendation letters, sent by your referees themselves from their official email addresses to ro_internship@unu.edu. At least one should be a professor. Letters you forward yourself are not considered.
6. Language certificate, if you do not meet the English exemption.
7. Answers to position-specific questions on the application portal.

How applicants are selected

Selected candidates receive an Agreement Form to sign, date and return. After that, those who need a Japanese visa start the visa process.

Showing what you can do

The best applications give concrete evidence for the tasks UNU lists. Think about examples like these from your studies, jobs or volunteering:

Pick your two or three strongest examples for the cover letter, and list the rest briefly in your CV.

Showing your interest in the UN

UNU asks for a demonstrated interest in the UN and UNU. You can show this through your studies (courses or a thesis on international affairs, development or sustainability), activities such as Model United Nations, volunteering with UN-linked organisations, or events you have attended. Read about UNU’s work on its website, and mention one or two specific areas that connect to your interests.

Writing the one-page cover letter

UNU asks for three things in the cover letter: your motivation, how you would contribute, and how the internship fits your career goals. A simple structure:

1. Why UNU: one or two sentences on what draws you to UNU and the Office of the Rector.
2. What you bring: two concrete examples that match the tasks, such as a policy brief you wrote, an event you organised or an Excel analysis you built.
3. Your career plan: how six months at UNU fits what you want to do next.

Keep it to one page and in clear English, since writing and editing are part of the job.

Preparing your two-page CV

• Put your education first, with your master’s or PhD and its dates.
• List experience that matches the tasks: research, writing, events, communications or data analysis.
• Name your software skills, especially Excel.
• Add languages and any UN-related activities, such as Model UN or volunteering.

Our CV template shows a clear two-page layout.

Getting your recommendation letters in

This step trips up many applicants. Your referees must send their letters themselves, from their official email addresses, to ro_internship@unu.edu. Letters you forward are not considered. Ask your referees today, give them the email address, your name as it appears in the application and the 1 November deadline, and ask them to confirm when they have sent it.

Preparing for the interview and assignment

If you are shortlisted, you will have an interview by phone or Zoom and a timed assignment on the same day. The interview covers your motivation, expectations, communication and English. The assignment is similar to the internship’s tasks, so practise writing a short brief or summary within a set time, and refresh your Excel skills. Our interview tips explain how to prepare.

Practising for the timed assignment

The assignment is similar to the internship’s tasks, and you should allow up to two hours. You cannot know the exact task, but you can practise the skills it is likely to test:

• Short briefs: take a two-page report on a UN topic and summarise it in one page in 45 minutes.
• Event notes: watch a recorded lecture and write a short event summary.
• Data: build a simple Excel table with totals, averages and a chart from a small dataset.
• Editing: proofread a page of text and fix errors in grammar and style.

Time yourself, and focus on clear structure and plain English.

Questions you may be asked

The interview covers your motivation, expectations, communication and English. Prepare short, honest answers to questions like these:

• Why do you want to intern at UNU, and why now?
• What do you hope to learn in six months?
• Tell us about a time you managed several tasks with tight deadlines.
• How do you make complex information easy to understand?
• How would you handle feedback on your writing?

A plan for the days before 1 November

Understanding the Funding Form

The Funding Form asks you to show the source, amount and duration of any actual or projected funding for your time in Tokyo. Fill it in honestly. If you have no other support, say so, because the stipend is paid to interns who receive no financial support from other sources. Remember that an academic scholarship does not count as other financial support for this rule. If you expect funding from your university or an organisation, give the details you know.

Living in Tokyo on a partial stipend

UNU says the stipend partly covers living costs, so you need a plan for the rest. Before you accept an offer:

• Estimate your monthly costs for rent, food, transport and phone.
• Look for shared housing or student residences early, since short stays can be harder to arrange.
• Check the Japanese visa rules for your nationality on the official website of the Embassy of Japan in your country.
• Arrange health and accident insurance. UNU says it is not responsible for costs from accidents or illness during the internship.

After you are selected

Selected candidates receive an Agreement Form by email, which must be signed, dated and returned. Then start your visa process if you need one. Keep in mind that interns are not UN staff and cannot represent UNU officially, and that the internship does not lead to a job at UNU. UNU may keep applications for up to two years and consider candidates for future internships in that time.

Related internships

• WHO Internship Programme.
• UNICEF Internship Programme.
• NIMS Internship Program in Japan.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Forwarding recommendation letters yourself instead of asking referees to email UNU.
• A CV over two pages or a cover letter over one page.
• Forgetting the Funding Form.
• Applying when you are over 32 or have more than five years of related experience.
• Missing the language certificate when you need one.

Checklist before you submit

• I am studying for, or finished in the last two years, a master’s or PhD.
• I am 32 or younger.
• My CV is two pages and my cover letter is one page.
• My Application Form and Funding Form are uploaded.
• My two referees will email ro_internship@unu.edu.
• I will submit before 1 November 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Is the UNU Junior Fellows Internship paid?

Yes. Interns without other financial support receive a monthly stipend to partly cover living costs. The amount is not stated on the official page.

Can I apply from outside Japan?

Yes. Applicants living in Japan and overseas are both considered.

Is there an application fee?

No. UNU says it does not charge any application or processing fee.

Will the internship lead to a job at UNU?

No. UNU says the internship does not lead to employment, and interns are not UN staff.

When is the deadline?

1 November 2026.

Can bachelor’s students apply?

No. You must be studying for, or have completed within the last two years, a master’s or doctoral degree.

Is it possible to work remotely?

The internship is mainly on site in Tokyo, with some flexibility for remote work.

How long is the internship?

About six months (24 weeks), from 1 March to 27 August 2027, full-time.

What does a working day look like?

The internship is full-time, from 9:30 to 17:30, Monday to Friday, mainly at the UNU headquarters in Shibuya, Tokyo. Daily work depends on the office’s needs, and can include writing briefs, supporting events and meetings, editing and communications tasks.

Can I apply again later if I am not selected?

UNU may keep your application for up to two years and consider you for future internships in that period. Check the UNU careers site for later rounds.

Where to apply

Apply on the official UNU careers page. Our UNU Junior Fellows page keeps the key facts in one place.