Train in Geneva for Global AI Security Policy: UNIDIR Women in AI Fellowship 2026 for Women Diplomats

There are fellowships that hand you a certificate, a tote bag, and a pleasant memory. And then there are fellowships that change what you can say in a room full of decision-makers—because you finally have the technical vocabulary, the policy context, and the credibility to match the moment.

The UNIDIR Women in AI Fellowship 2026 sits firmly in the second category.

If you’re a woman diplomat or government representative watching artificial intelligence barrel into security debates like a fast train with too few brakes, this fellowship is basically a week-long “upgrade” in Geneva—where multilateral conversations are not theoretical. They’re live wires. You’ll spend a concentrated week getting grounded in the policy, legal, and technical pieces of AI, with a special focus on international peace and security and the often-neglected gender dimensions of military AI.

This is also, frankly, a strategic opportunity. A lot of global AI governance conversations are dominated by the same voices: highly technical teams, major powers, and people who’ve been circling these rooms for years. UNIDIR’s point here is refreshingly blunt: if women—especially women from developing contexts—aren’t in the middle of these debates, the rules will still get written. Just without you.

And the best part for busy diplomats? The design is practical. It’s not a semester-long program that requires you to disappear from your portfolio. It’s a week in person plus network connections that can keep paying off long after you’ve flown home.

At a Glance: Key Facts You Need

What This Fellowship Actually Offers (Beyond a Week in Geneva)

Think of this fellowship as three interlocking gears. Each one matters; together, they move you from “interested observer” to “confident participant” in multilateral AI security discussions.

First, there’s education, and it’s designed for policy professionals—not engineers. You’ll get a structured introduction to how AI works at a conceptual level, including what it can do well, what it routinely messes up, and where the hype tends to outpace reality. That matters in security settings, because vague claims like “AI will improve targeting accuracy” or “AI will reduce civilian harm” can sound persuasive until someone in the room asks, “Under what conditions? With what training data? Compared to what baseline?” The fellowship trains you to ask those questions without needing to write code.

Second, there’s exploration. UNIDIR doesn’t keep you sealed in a classroom. The program includes interactions with stakeholders who deal with AI in practical contexts—technical, academic, and applied. Translation: you won’t just hear definitions; you’ll see how the AI ecosystem is stitched together, from design choices to deployment pressures to governance gaps. If education is the map, exploration is walking the terrain and noticing where the bridges are shaky.

Third, and arguably most valuable, is networking—not the awkward “exchange business cards and vanish” kind, but the sustained kind that helps you do your job better. You’ll connect with the diplomatic community in Geneva, meet multi-sector experts working where gender, security, and technology collide, and become part of the UNIDIR Expert Network on the Governance of Artificial Intelligence in the Military Domain. That’s a mouthful, yes. But it’s also a signal: after the fellowship, you’re not operating alone. You’re plugged into people who track these debates for a living.

Financially, the fellowship is free, and some participants can receive support for travel and accommodation. UNIDIR notes that fellows from developing countries will be prioritized for that support, which is both sensible and worth taking seriously when planning your application strategy.

Who Should Apply (And Who This Is Really Built For)

UNIDIR is aiming this at a specific profile: women diplomats and government representatives who are junior to mid-career, representing UN Member States, with a strong command of English, and a clear interest in security, technology, and/or gender.

That sounds straightforward, but here’s what it looks like in real life.

Maybe you’re posted to a mission where your portfolio touches disarmament, emerging technologies, cyber, peacekeeping, counterterrorism, or humanitarian law, and AI keeps popping up like a recurring plot twist. You don’t need to be “the AI person.” You just need to be someone who will likely end up in meetings where AI is discussed—especially in relation to military applications, security dilemmas, risk, and governance.

Maybe your capital is building a national AI strategy, or reviewing defense modernization priorities, or responding to international initiatives on responsible AI. You’re not expected to have a PhD in machine learning. But you are expected, increasingly, to have a working grip on what you’re agreeing to when language appears in a resolution, a communiqué, or a negotiated text.

And importantly: maybe your interest is strongly connected to gender—for instance, how AI-enabled military systems can reflect bias, how surveillance tools can have gendered impacts, or how women’s participation changes what questions get asked in security governance. This fellowship doesn’t treat gender as a decorative afterthought. It treats it as part of the analytical core.

If you’re in an African UN Member State (the listing is tagged Africa), this could be particularly relevant—both because of the travel support prioritization for developing countries and because representation in global AI governance forums remains uneven. That’s not a moral argument; it’s a practical one. If your region’s perspectives aren’t consistently present, the norms and standards won’t reflect your realities.

The Three Pillars Explained Like You Actually Have a Day Job

Education: Build fluent, policy-ready AI literacy

Expect a guided introduction to AI fundamentals and their security implications. You’ll cover strengths and limitations (what AI is good at, where it fails), real and proposed security use cases, and the current state of multilateral policy discussions on AI governance. The goal is not to turn you into a technologist—it’s to help you stop being held hostage by jargon.

Exploration: See how the AI ecosystem behaves up close

This part is about briefings and interactions with actors working in applied environments. It’s the difference between reading about “deployment” and understanding what deployment pressures do to safety, oversight, accountability, and transparency. You’ll gain context that helps you ask better questions when vendors, partners, or other states present confident claims.

Networking: Walk away with people you can call later

Geneva is full of rooms where “informal” conversations become formal positions a month later. The fellowship builds your ability to navigate that environment and introduces you to people working at the intersection of gender, security, and technology. It’s also an entry into a specialized expert network focused on military AI governance—useful when you need to sanity-check a proposal fast.

Insider Tips for a Winning Application (This Is Where Most People Slip)

This is not a fellowship you win by sounding enthusiastic and vague. You win by sounding useful—to your mission, to your government, and to the multilateral conversations UNIDIR cares about. Here are seven ways to make that happen.

1) Write your letter of interest like a policy memo, not a diary entry

Your one-page letter of interest should read like someone who will show up in Geneva and immediately connect learning to real diplomatic work. Anchor it in the practical: the committees you support, the files you handle, the negotiations you might join, the issues your delegation is tracking. Enthusiasm is fine, but specificity is better.

2) Prove you’ll apply the knowledge the moment you’re back

UNIDIR wants impact, not souvenirs. In your “how you’ll use it” section, name concrete next steps: briefing your ambassador/mission team, drafting internal talking points, supporting a national position on AI governance language, or strengthening coordination between your capital and mission on AI-security topics.

3) Show your “AI adjacency” even if you’re not a tech specialist

If you’ve handled cyber norms, autonomous weapons discussions, data governance, digital ID debates, surveillance concerns, or gender policy in security forums, you’re closer to this fellowship than you think. Explain the through-line: AI intersects with all of it. Reviewers love candidates who can translate between topics.

4) Make your recommendations do real work

You need two recommendation letters, and one must come from your national government or diplomatic representation to the UN. Don’t accept generic praise. Ask recommenders to include: the kind of multilateral work you do, why you’re positioned to influence discussions, and how the mission/government expects to use your upgraded expertise.

5) Don’t bury the “why Geneva” logic

This fellowship happens in Geneva for a reason: that’s where many of these conversations and communities cluster. Make it clear you understand the advantage of training there—exposure, connections, and context. Not tourism. Professional positioning.

6) Treat English readiness as part of your competitiveness

The program runs in English. If you’re strong in English, say so plainly and demonstrate it through clear, tight writing. Badly edited letters quietly hurt applications because they signal you’ll struggle to participate fully.

7) Follow the submission rules like they’re treaty text (because they basically are)

UNIDIR will not accept applications sent directly by individuals. Your documents must come from the relevant diplomatic representation, with your email address CC’d. This rule isn’t a suggestion; it’s a gate.

Application Timeline: A Realistic Plan Backward From February 24, 2026

Most applicants lose time on the pieces that require other people—recommendation letters and mission coordination. So don’t treat February 24 like the start of your process. Treat it like the final whistle.

Aim to have your draft letter of interest ready 4–6 weeks before the deadline. That gives you time to refine it with feedback from a colleague who understands your portfolio and your mission’s priorities.

Request recommendation letters at least 3–4 weeks before the deadline, and provide your recommenders with a short package: your CV, a paragraph describing the fellowship, and three bullet points of what you’d like them to emphasize (your role, your trajectory, and the practical use of the fellowship).

In the final 10–14 days, focus on compliance: confirm your passport copy is clear, your CV is truly within two pages, your letter of interest is one page, and the email subject line is exactly what UNIDIR requests. If your mission has internal clearance procedures, build in extra time. Bureaucracy doesn’t sprint; it strolls.

Finally, aim to have everything ready for your diplomatic representation to send several days before February 24. Email servers have bad days too.

Required Materials (And How to Make Each One Count)

UNIDIR requests a small set of documents, but each one carries weight. You’ll submit:

• Copy of passport. Make sure it’s legible and current. If you’re close to expiry, start renewal steps early—international travel logistics are not the place for last-minute drama.
• CV (maximum two pages). This is not the time for a six-page life story. Highlight roles, portfolios, negotiations, committees, relevant training, publications or policy writing, and any technology/security/gender work.
• Two recommendation letters, including one from your national government or diplomatic representation to the UN. Ask for letters that include concrete examples of your work and why you’re well positioned to apply the fellowship learning.
• One-page letter of interest. This is your main persuasive document. Cover your experience, your interest in the fellowship themes, and—crucially—how you intend to use what you learn.

One more procedural requirement matters: your application must be submitted by the relevant diplomatic representation, and your own email address must be CC’d. Treat this as a formatting requirement and a credibility signal rolled into one.

What Makes an Application Stand Out (What Reviewers Are Likely Rewarding)

UNIDIR is convening this fellowship to strengthen women’s participation in multilateral AI security discussions. So your application stands out when it signals you’ll do three things well.

First, you’ll benefit from the training because you’re already adjacent to the issues and can absorb the content quickly. That’s why showing your portfolio relevance matters.

Second, you’ll convert training into action. Strong candidates don’t just say “I’m interested in AI.” They show where, when, and how they’ll apply the knowledge—at mission level, in capital, or across both.

Third, you’ll multiply impact through networks. If you can explain how you’ll share insights internally (briefings, memos, cross-department coordination) and externally (regional coordination, multilateral working groups, capacity-sharing), you look like an investment rather than a participant.

Also: the program emphasizes gender and military AI. If you can articulate even one thoughtful question you want to explore—bias, accountability, human control, procurement incentives, transparency, differential impacts—you signal intellectual seriousness without needing to posture as an expert.

Common Mistakes to Avoid (Save Yourself the Heartbreak)

Treating the letter of interest as generic motivation

“AI is important and I want to learn more” is not an argument. It’s a fortune cookie. Replace it with specifics: the negotiations you support, the policy questions you face, and what you’ll do after the fellowship.

Ignoring the submission rule about diplomatic representation

If you submit directly as an individual, you’re likely out. Coordinate early with your mission or government office so the final email comes from the correct channel and includes you in CC.

Sending a CV that reads like a job application

This isn’t about impressing a hiring manager. It’s about relevance. Prioritize responsibilities tied to security policy, multilateral engagement, tech governance, gender policy, and anything that proves you operate in the spaces this fellowship cares about.

Choosing recommenders who can’t speak to your real work

A senior person with a famous title is less helpful than a supervisor who can describe what you actually do in negotiations, drafting, coordination, and representation.

Overstating technical expertise (or apologizing for not having it)

Don’t pretend you code if you don’t. And don’t write as if you’re unqualified because you’re not an engineer. This fellowship is built to strengthen policy professionals. Your job is to show you can learn quickly and apply responsibly.

Missing the “so what” on gender

If you mention gender, make it substantive. Tie it to participation, impacts, bias, oversight, risk, or governance—not just representation as a slogan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a paid fellowship?

It’s free to attend, and UNIDIR offers travel and accommodation support for a select number of participants, with priority for fellows from developing countries. The listing doesn’t describe a stipend or salary.

Do I need a technical background in AI?

No. You need interest and the ability to work in English. The fellowship includes an introduction to AI technology and its limitations, designed for policy and diplomatic contexts.

Can I apply as an individual?

Not as the submitting sender. UNIDIR notes it will not accept applications submitted directly by individuals. Your application documents must be sent by the relevant diplomatic representation, and your email address must be CC’d.

I work for government but I’m not a diplomat posted to the UN. Can I apply?

The eligibility mentions women diplomats and government representatives who represent UN Member States. If your role qualifies as a government representative in multilateral contexts, you may be eligible—but confirm details on the official page and coordinate with your diplomatic representation.

What career stage are they looking for?

Junior to mid-career. If you’re very senior, you may be seen as outside the intended cohort. If you’re very early-career, you’ll need to show you already handle relevant files and will be in position to apply the learning.

What should my letter of interest include?

Your relevant experience, your interest in AI/security/gender topics, and a clear plan for how you’ll use the knowledge after the program. Keep it one page and make every paragraph earn its place.

How competitive is it?

UNIDIR doesn’t state an acceptance rate. But because it’s a small, in-person program in Geneva with limited travel support, assume it’s competitive—and write accordingly: specific, mission-relevant, and practical.

What does “multilateral AI discussion in peace and security” really mean?

It refers to international dialogues and negotiations where states and stakeholders debate norms, governance, risk, accountability, and the security implications of AI—especially as it relates to military use and international stability.

How to Apply (Step-by-Step, Without Guesswork)

Start by coordinating with your national diplomatic representation (often your mission to the UN in Geneva or relevant foreign affairs channel). Tell them you intend to apply and confirm who will send the final email package. This is not the moment for confusion about “who hits send.”

Next, assemble your documents: passport copy, a two-page CV, two recommendation letters (including one from your government or diplomatic representation to the UN), and your one-page letter of interest. Draft your letter early and ask a colleague to review it for clarity—especially the part about how you’ll use the fellowship learning in your actual portfolio.

Then submit everything by email to [email protected] with the subject line:

2026 UNIDIR Women in AI Fellowship Application

Make sure your own email address is included in the CC field. And remember: UNIDIR expects the email and documents to come from the relevant diplomatic representation, not directly from you.

Finally, keep a clean PDF set of everything you submit. If you’re selected, you’ll want those files handy for travel, internal reporting, or follow-up paperwork.

Get Full Details and Apply

Ready to apply? Visit the official opportunity page for complete instructions and updates: https://unidir.org/call-for-applications-unidir-women-in-ai-fellowship/