2026 Global Health PhD Fellowship Programme at the United Nations University International Institute for Global Health

The Global Health PhD Fellowship Programme at the United Nations University International Institute for Global Health (UNU-IIGH) offers doctoral candidates a unique opportunity to engage directly with global health policy processes within the United Nations system.

Based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, this competitive fellowship enhances academic training through applied research, policy analysis, and real-world knowledge translation.

Designed for PhD candidates seeking meaningful engagement with global health governance, the programme embeds fellows within UNU-IIGH’s research teams to contribute to high-impact policy and research initiatives.

About UNU-IIGH

UNU-IIGH serves as a global health policy translation hub supporting UN Member States, agencies, and programmes.

The Institute focuses on addressing structural drivers of global health inequalities through interdisciplinary research and policy engagement.

Its work is organised around four interconnected work packages:

• Gender Equality and Intersectionality
• Power and Accountability
• Digital Health Security and Governance
• Climate Justice and Health

UNU-IIGH applies critical analytical lenses including:

• Intersectionality
• Feminist approaches
• Decolonial perspectives
• Contextualisation
• Power analysis

Through these frameworks, the Institute works to strengthen health equity, governance reform, and evidence-informed policymaking worldwide.

Fellowship Overview

The Global Health PhD Fellowship Programme is structured to complement — not replace — a candidate’s doctoral research. It provides structured mentorship and hands-on experience in global health policy and applied research.

Successful fellows will:

• Be assigned to an active research project aligned with their PhD focus
• Work under the mentorship of a UNU-IIGH researcher
• Contribute to policy-relevant outputs supporting UN agencies and government partners
• Participate in research, policy engagement, and capacity development activities

The fellowship bridges academic research and global policy processes, offering practical exposure to multilateral health governance.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of a designated work package lead, the PhD Fellow will:

Research and Writing

• Conduct literature reviews and policy analysis
• Prepare draft reports, policy briefs, or peer-reviewed manuscripts
• Contribute to applied research within UNU-IIGH’s global health portfolio

Leadership of Outputs

• Co-lead (with supervision) the development of:
  • A UNU-IIGH report
  • A policy brief
  • And/or a peer-reviewed journal article
• Ensure alignment between fellowship outputs and doctoral research

Programme Support

• Assist with project planning, reporting, and coordination
• Support communications and event preparation where relevant

Learning and Engagement

• Identify and pursue mutually agreed learning objectives
• Engage in thematic areas such as:
  • Global health governance
  • Health policy and systems
  • Evidence-to-policy translation
• Deliver a seminar presentation during the fellowship
• Submit a short reflective piece at the end of the placement

Professional Standards

• Maintain effective communication with supervisors
• Deliver outputs on time and to a high professional standard
• Comply with all UNU and UN policies and administrative procedures

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be currently enrolled in a PhD programme in:
  • Global health
  • Public health
  • Health policy
  • Or a closely related field
• Demonstrate strong analytical and academic writing skills in English
• Show clear interest in global health policy and governance
• Be capable of working independently and collaboratively in an international, multidisciplinary environment
• Have completed their doctoral fieldwork prior to the fellowship

This fellowship is best suited to candidates in the advanced stages of their PhD who are ready to translate research into policy impact.

Fellowship Conditions

• Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
• Duration: 6 to 12 months
• Contract Type: Consultant contract (CTC)
• Purpose: To complement doctoral training through applied policy engagement

The programme provides an immersive experience within a UN research institute, offering valuable exposure to international health governance systems.

What the Fellowship Offers

Participants benefit from:

• Direct exposure to global health policymaking within the UN system
• Hands-on experience in policy-relevant research
• Mentorship from senior UNU-IIGH researchers
• Opportunities to contribute to high-impact reports and publications
• Practical insight into knowledge translation and global health diplomacy

The fellowship strengthens both academic and professional trajectories for those pursuing careers in global health research, policy, and multilateral institutions.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit:

• A current CV
• Contact details for three references

Applications should be sent directly to the UNU-IIGH Director via email.

The Global Health PhD Fellowship Programme at UNU-IIGH offers an exceptional opportunity for doctoral researchers seeking to bridge academic scholarship and global health policy within the United Nations system.

APPLY HERE

For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel

Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.