United Nations University (UNU) Joint MSc Scholarship 2026 in Germany

The UNU-EHS and University of Bonn Joint Master’s in Geography of Environmental Risks and Human Security is a two-year programme training students to understand and address environmental risks — climate change, disasters, and their impact on people — through a genuinely interdisciplinary blend of human geography, physical geography, and applied research methods.

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Applications for the October 2027 intake are open now, running from July 31 to October 31, 2026, so there’s real time to prepare a strong application. A limited number of DAAD EPOS scholarships remain available for eligible candidates from developing countries, covering tuition, stipend, and potentially travel costs. This guide covers everything you need — including one detail that’s changed for this specific intake: the required academic writing sample prompt is different from previous years.

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About This United Nations University (UNU) Joint MSc Scholarship

This is a genuinely distinctive joint degree, combining a United Nations research institution with a leading German university rather than being a standard academic Master’s. UNU-EHS, based in Bonn, is a UN think tank focused specifically on reducing risk from environmental hazards and climate change, working at the intersection of science, policy, and practice — meaning your lecturers include both University of Bonn academics and active UN researchers, not solely university faculty.

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Since launching in October 2013, the programme has grown to 279 students from 46 countries, building a genuinely global alumni network working across disaster risk reduction, humanitarian response, climate policy, and spatial planning. The programme deliberately emphasises the Global South rather than treating environmental risk as a generic global topic, and classes are held on the UN Campus and at the University of Bonn — putting students physically close to international climate policy institutions rather than studying the subject at a remove.

The two-year structure runs 12 modules across the first three semesters, followed by a compulsory eight-week internship and an independent Master’s thesis, with UNU-EHS providing organisational support to place students with UN organisations and other internationally active bodies for that internship.

United Nations University (UNU) Joint MSc Scholarship Summary

Who Can Apply to the Programme

• You need a Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, in Geography or a closely related field.
• Most of your prior coursework should fall within human geography or social sciences with a spatial development focus, research methods or science methodology, or physical geography and environmental sciences with an Earth system science focus.
• You must not currently be a PhD student or hold a PhD — this programme is specifically for Master’s-level entry.
• You need genuine motivation to work on environmental risk and human security within a multicultural, interdisciplinary setting.
• You need proof of English proficiency, unless you’re a native speaker from Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK, or the USA.

Additional Requirements for DAAD EPOS Scholarship Applicants

• You must come from a DAAD-eligible developing country — check the current official DAAD list, since this changes periodically.
• You need at least two years of relevant work experience since completing your Bachelor’s degree.
• Your Bachelor’s degree must have been completed no more than six years before applying.
• You must not already hold a Master’s degree in a similar field.
• You need to intend to work as a development practitioner afterwards, rather than pursuing academia or a PhD — DAAD EPOS is explicitly aimed at practitioners, not researchers continuing into doctoral study.

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What DAAD EPOS Funding Provides

• Tuition coverage, for eligible scholarship recipients.
• A monthly stipend, alongside possible coverage of travel and living costs.
• Access to the full academic and professional network the programme offers — UN organisations, international bodies, NGOs, and research institutions — regardless of whether you’re funded through EPOS or another route.

What’s New for the October 2027 Intake — The Writing Sample

This is the detail worth flagging clearly, since it’s changed from earlier cycles: the required academic writing sample for this specific intake asks a different question than in past years. Rather than the SDGs-focused prompt used previously, applicants for October 2027 must answer: “How has your own academic or professional experience influenced the areas of focus you plan to pursue in your studies?” — addressing your own experience, how you’d bring it into your planned thesis work, and why that perspective could help close a genuine research gap.

The programme is explicit that you don’t need to commit to that exact thesis topic if selected, but the answer needs to be written as an academic essay, drawing on relevant scientific literature, with up to 10 references used specifically in the second and third parts of your response. This is a meaningfully different task from a generic motivation essay — it requires you to already have engaged with the academic literature in your area of interest, not just express enthusiasm for the field.

Documents to Prepare

• The online application form, signed and dated.
• A motivation letter, 1–2 pages, dated.
• A CV in EUROPASS format, maximum 3 pages, reverse-chronological, dated.
• Degree certificates (Bachelor’s and Master’s if applicable), in English or German, or certified translation.
• Transcripts of records, including your grading system and averages.
• English proficiency proof, unless exempt as a native speaker from the specified countries.
• One to two academic reference letters from university lecturers — optional but recommended.
• A copy of your passport’s bio page.
• Up to three other relevant references, such as from internships or employment.
• If you’re from China, India, or Vietnam, a scan of your APS certificate.

Additional Documents for DAAD EPOS Applicants

• The DAAD EPOS Checklist, hand-signed and dated.
• The DAAD Application Form, typed and dated.
• A separate Scholarship Motivation Letter (1–2 pages), explaining specifically why DAAD EPOS, why Germany, and how the scholarship supports your development career goals.
• A professional reference from your current employer.
• Work certificates documenting at least two years of relevant post-Bachelor’s experience, with exact dates.

Formatting Requirements — Worth Following Exactly

Your complete application must be submitted as a single PDF, no larger than 8MB, named in the format [lastname.firstname].pdf, with documents in the exact specified order. Use proper scans, not smartphone photos. The academic writing sample is submitted as a separate PDF, including a declaration of authenticity — plagiarism checks apply, so this needs to be genuinely original work.

How to Apply — Step by Step

1. Confirm your Bachelor’s degree and coursework background align with the programme’s specific subject requirements before starting.
2. If pursuing DAAD EPOS funding, confirm your country appears on the current DAAD developing-country list, and that you meet the two-year work experience and six-year graduation window requirements.
3. Draft your academic writing sample early — this is the most demanding document in the application, requiring genuine engagement with academic literature rather than a quick personal statement.
4. Gather transcripts, degree certificates, and language proficiency proof, arranging certified translations where needed.
5. Request your reference letters with enough lead time for your referees to prepare thoughtful, properly formatted responses.
6. Assemble your complete application into a single, correctly ordered PDF under 8MB, following the exact naming convention specified.
7. Submit your online application and email your PDF package to [email protected] before October 31, 2026.
8. If applying for DAAD EPOS, ensure every EPOS-specific document is included in your package — missing any of these can disqualify your scholarship application even if your programme application is strong.
9. Monitor your email for a confirmation of receipt, and expect general admission and scholarship results between roughly February and April 2027 for this intake.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this scholarship currently open?

Yes. The application window for the October 2027 intake runs from July 31 to October 31, 2026 — it’s open right now.

Do I need to be applying for DAAD EPOS to be admitted to the programme?

No. Admission to the Master’s programme itself and the DAAD EPOS scholarship are related but separate — you can apply to the programme without pursuing EPOS funding, though EPOS eligibility requires the additional criteria listed above.

Has the required writing sample changed from previous years?

Yes. For the October 2027 intake, the prompt focuses on how your own academic or professional experience shapes your planned thesis work, rather than the SDGs-focused question used in earlier cycles.

Can I apply for DAAD EPOS if I already hold a Master’s degree?

Not if it’s in a similar field — DAAD EPOS explicitly excludes applicants who already hold a Master’s degree in a closely related area.

What if my long-term goal is a PhD or academic career rather than development practice?

You can still apply to the programme itself, but you won’t be eligible for DAAD EPOS funding specifically, since that scholarship is aimed at those intending to work as development practitioners rather than pursue academia.

Disclaimer: All scholarship details, deadlines, and eligibility criteria in this post were verified from UNU-EHS and University of Bonn official sources as of August 2026. Information is subject to change without notice. Always confirm the latest details directly on the UNU-EHS official programme page before applying. ScholarWaka is not affiliated with the United Nations University or the University of Bonn.

Official Application Portal