UIL is an international research, training, publishing and documentation centre of UNESCO. It promotes lifelong learning for all, with particular emphasis on literacy, non-formal education and adult learning and education. UIL offers short-term Fellowships in its areas of expertise to senior specialists from developing countries to enable them to undertake research at UIL.

The Fellowship Programme has three inter-related objectives:

• to assist capacity-building in lifelong learning in Member States, especially developing and least-developed countries;
• to complement and support UIL’s research and development activities. Fellows are selected according to their potential to contribute to ongoing projects (see “programme areas” in the left-hand menu);
• to strengthen cooperation and networking with research centres and universities worldwide

Fellowships are tenable for a period of two to six months, during which Fellows are invited to pursue a research interest which broadly aligns with UIL’s own research and development agenda.

UIL offers a fully-equipped and networked workplace and the resources of its unique documentation centre and library. With 63,000 books, documents, non-print media and periodicals in adult education, literacy, non-formal education and lifelong learning, it is one of the most comprehensive collections of its kind in the world. Started in 1952 by the UNESCO Institute for Education, it comprises English language materials (some 60% of the collection), as well as publications in German, French, Spanish and a variety of other languages.

UIL maintains effective working relations with the University of Hamburg, which is within walking distance. Its supportive infrastructure, such as its library and dining facilities, are open to fellows, as (in principle) are other research institutes in UIL’s research environment such as the German Institute of Global and Area Studies GIGA.

Only candidates from developing countries are eligible to receive financial support to cover their cost of living during the tenure of a UIL Fellowship. However, travel costs are not included in the Fellowship Programme and must be provided by other sources. Fellows are invited to UIL on an individual basis and should be prepared to work under their own initiative for a good deal of time. They will be expected to produce a report on the research they undertake at UIL and present it for discussion at a concluding seminar.

Selection criteria for candidates:

• Prospective Fellows should have good experience in literacy, non-formal education, adult or lifelong learning, from government, civil society or research contexts.
• Research proposals should clearly state: justification, objectives and expected results of the research; implications and applicability of the results for policy/decision-making and practice in both his/her country and at regional/international level; explanation for the need to use UIL’s knowledge base and resources; linkages between the proposed research and UIL’s programmes; methods and resources needed to execute the research; and a time-plan..
• Candidates should speak English as a common language of the Institute; knowledge of another official UN/UNESCO language would be an asset.

Geographical (regional and national) and gender balance of candidates will be sought for the Fellowship Programme as a whole.

Application

Applications are welcome from candidates for a period of two to six months. Fellows will be provided with full use of UIL facilities, including its Documentation Centre and Library, computer facilities and limited secretarial support.

Interested candidates should submit a written research proposal to UIL, through their National Commission for UNESCO. Proposals should carefully consider the criteria outlined above.

Applications are granted with respect to meeting the selection criteria and availability of funds.

For further information, please contact

Mr Werner Mauch
w.mauch(at)unesco.org