UNIDIR Women in AI Fellowship Programme

Deadline Date: February 03, 2025

Donor Name: United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research

Grant Size: Not Available

The United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research is inviting applications for its Women in AI Fellowship Programme designed as a capacity-building intervention that endows women diplomats with up-to-the-minute knowledge of the policy, legal and technical aspects of AI, including its gendered implications.

Women in AI Fellows acquire the know-how, skills, resources and networks required to engage effectively in multilateral AI discussion in the field of international peace and security.

Program Specifications

• The Women in AI Fellowship comprises a week-long, in-person training in Geneva. The Fellowship is structured around three key pillars for a holistic and effective programme of learning:
  • Education: UNIDIR provides the Fellows with a substantive introduction to AI technology, including its strengths and limitations; an overview of the possible and observed use cases of AI in security applications; related international security concerns surrounding AI; background to and current multilateral discussions around AI policy and governance; and insights into the link between gender and military AI.
  • Exploration: Apart from lectures, UNIDIR facilitates the Fellows’ interactions with stakeholders engaging in practical applications of AI in technical and academic settings.
  • Networking: UNIDIR also streamlines Fellows’ engagements with relevant stakeholders to enable the forging of strong connections with the diplomatic community, the private sector and civil society.

Eligibility Criteria

• The Fellowship is open to women diplomats who:
  • are junior to mid-career level
  • are representatives of UN Member States
  • have a strong command of both written and spoken English
  • have an interest in security, technology and/or gender
• UNIDIR will select up to 30 Fellows, of which 10 will be fully sponsored by UNIDIR and the rest will participate at their own or their sponsoring organizations’ expense. Priority for sponsorship will be given to Fellows from developing countries.

Application Requirements

• Interested applicants or their diplomatic representations are invited to submit the following supporting documents by email with the subject line “2025 UNIDIR Women in AI Fellowship Application”:
  • Copy of passport;
  • Curriculum vitae of no more than two pages;
  • Two recommendation letters, one of which should be from the applicant’s national government or diplomatic representation to the UN;
  • A one-page letter of interest detailing the applicant’s experience and interest in the areas covered by the Fellowship, as well as an outline of how they envisage using knowledge gained during the programme.

For more information, visit UNIDIR.