Deadline: September 30, 2025
Are you a Master’s student in Economics looking to gain international research experience and contribute to development policy? The UNU-WIDER Master Student Assignment Programme 2026 is now open for applications. This prestigious programme offers selected students the opportunity to work on critical development research projects while receiving a monthly stipend in an international academic environment.
About the UNU-WIDER Master Student Assignment Programme 2026
The United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER) runs the Master Student Assignment Programme to support talented students in their research journey. Through this initiative, students will work under the supervision of research unit focal points and the Head of Research, contributing to cutting-edge development studies and policy analysis.
This assignment programme provides hands-on experience, mentorship, and the chance to contribute to real-world research projects with global impact.
Research Topics
Students selected for the UNU-WIDER Master Student Assignment Programme 2026 will focus on one of the following thematic research areas:
1. Tax Research for Development
This research area focuses on analysing administrative tax data across four African countries.
Examples of assignment topics include:
- Examining gender distribution in tax filing
- Simulating PAYE (Pay As You Earn) or presumptive tax policy reforms through a gender lens
This topic is ideal for students interested in fiscal policy, gender studies, and economic development.
2. Building Trust and Institutions for Peace
This theme explores how bureaucratic institutions and the social contract can be (re)built to sustain peace and inclusive state-building in post-conflict environments.
Potential areas of focus include:
- Investigating the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) on poverty reduction, inequality, and state capacity
- Examining how large-scale investment projects relate to conflict risks
Quantitative methods and data analysis are key components of this research area.
Benefits of the Programme
Selected students will enjoy several benefits during the UNU-WIDER Master Student Assignment Programme 2026, including:
- Stipend: €715 per month, paid to support basic living costs during the research assignment
- International exposure: Work in a diverse, multicultural environment within a globally respected research institution
- Professional experience: Gain valuable skills in research, data analysis, and development policy
Note: Stipend payments depend on satisfactory performance, and unjustified absences may lead to proportional deductions.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the UNU-WIDER Master Student Assignment Programme 2026, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be enrolled in a Master’s degree in Economics, in their second year at a Finnish university; or
Have taken or be currently taking a Development Economics master-level course in Finland - Possess excellent written and spoken English skills (knowledge of another UN language is an asset)
- Be able to work effectively in a multicultural environment
Required Skills and Experience
Applicants should demonstrate the following skills:
- Proficiency in Stata or R, and Microsoft Office
- Strong data management abilities, including:
- Data sourcing
- Data cleaning and merging
- Data preparation for analysis
- Creating high-quality, publication-ready figures and visualisations
These skills are essential for contributing meaningfully to the research assignments.
Application Requirements
All applicants must submit the following documents:
- A cover letter written in English
- A current CV
- Proof of enrolment or educational status (e.g., transcript or letter of enrolment)
Additionally, candidates will need to answer programme-specific questions as part of the application process.
Application Deadline
The deadline to apply for the UNU-WIDER Master Student Assignment Programme 2026 is 30 September 2025. Late submissions will not be considered, so early application is strongly encouraged.
How to Apply
Interested and eligible students can submit their applications online. Make sure all required documents are complete and tailored to the research themes for a strong application.
👉 Read more about the programme
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