Applications are now open for the Italy-AOSIS Fellowship Programme 2027, offering early-career professionals from eligible Small Island Developing States an opportunity to undertake one year of diplomatic education and training at the United Nations in New York, USA.
The fellowship is organized through the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) and supported by the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security.
Designed specifically to address the needs of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), the programme provides participants with hands-on training and experience in areas involving law, policy and science, while helping strengthen the capacity of AOSIS member governments to participate effectively in international processes.
Applications for the upcoming fellowship close on:
Friday, November 20, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST.
About the Italy-AOSIS Fellowship Programme
The Italy-AOSIS Fellowship is a specialized year-long programme for early-career diplomats and policy professionals from Small Island Developing States.
Each year, selected Fellows from AOSIS member states undertake diplomatic training at the United Nations in New York.
The programme aims to develop skills and experience that Fellows can use in international negotiations and policymaking while also building long-term institutional capacity within their home governments.
The fellowship is particularly distinctive because it was designed around the needs of SIDS.
What Is AOSIS?
The Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) represents Small Island Developing States in international processes.
The Fellowship Programme provides a capacity-building pathway for professionals from AOSIS member states.
According to AOSIS, the programme has now operated for:
11 years
and has supported:
69 Fellows from 36 Small Island Developing States.
The 2026 cohort included Fellows from countries including Palau, The Bahamas, Federated States of Micronesia, Barbados, Belize, Timor-Leste, Vanuatu, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Fiji and Guinea-Bissau.
Fellowship Location
Selected Fellows undertake the programme in:
New York, United States
The programme specifically provides a year of diplomatic training at the United Nations in New York.
This gives participants direct exposure to an international diplomatic environment and international processes relevant to Small Island Developing States.
Candidates should understand that this is not presented as a remote fellowship.
Fellowship Duration
The Italy-AOSIS Fellowship is a year-long programme.
AOSIS describes it as providing a year of education and training for early-career diplomats and policy professionals from SIDS.
Candidates should consult the detailed 2027 application instructions for precise start and end dates.
What Will Fellows Learn?
The programme is designed to provide practical training and experience across three broad areas:
- Law
- Policy
- Science
These areas are particularly important to the ability of Small Island Developing States to engage effectively with complex international processes.
The fellowship combines learning with practical diplomatic exposure.
Rather than functioning simply as an academic scholarship, it is structured around professional capacity development for individuals who can contribute to AOSIS member governments.
Hands-On Diplomatic Training
A defining feature of the Italy-AOSIS Fellowship is its emphasis on hands-on training.
Fellows spend the year gaining experience connected with international processes at the United Nations in New York.
This can provide early-career diplomats and policy professionals with an opportunity to better understand how international negotiations, policy processes and multilateral diplomacy operate.
The programme’s broader objective is not only individual professional development but also building enduring capacity within AOSIS member governments.
Who Can Apply?
The programme is specifically intended for:
Early-career professionals from members of the Alliance of Small Island States.
AOSIS also describes the fellowship as providing education and training for early-career diplomats and policy professionals from SIDS.
This is an important eligibility restriction.
The programme should therefore not be promoted as an unrestricted global fellowship open to applicants from every country.
Candidates should check the detailed application materials to determine all additional requirements.
Eligible Countries
Eligibility is tied to membership in the Alliance of Small Island States.
The fellowship page identifies participating or represented countries including:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- The Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Cabo Verde
- Comoros
- Cook Islands
- Cuba
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Fiji
- Grenada
- Guinea-Bissau
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Jamaica
- Kiribati
- Maldives
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritius
- Nauru
- Palau
- Papua New Guinea
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Samoa
- Seychelles
- Solomon Islands
- Suriname
- Timor-Leste
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu
Candidates should use the current AOSIS membership and the 2027 application instructions to confirm eligibility rather than relying solely on previous fellowship participation.
Education Requirements
The main fellowship webpage supplied does not specify the exact academic qualification required for the 2027 intake.
Applicants should therefore consult the official application materials for requirements concerning:
- Degree level
- Field of study
- Academic qualifications
- Professional qualifications
- Other educational requirements
It would be inaccurate to assign a bachelor’s or master’s degree requirement unless the detailed application instructions explicitly state one.
Professional Experience
The fellowship is aimed at early-career professionals, particularly diplomats and policy professionals.
However, the main webpage does not specify a universal minimum or maximum number of years of professional experience.
Applicants should review the 2027 application materials for the exact experience criteria.
Is the Italy-AOSIS Fellowship Fully Funded?
The programme is supported by the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security.
However, the fellowship webpage supplied does not provide a detailed breakdown of its financial benefits.
It does not, on the page provided, specify exact amounts or explicitly confirm coverage for:
- Monthly stipend
- International airfare
- Accommodation
- Health insurance
- Visa costs
- Local transportation
- Other living expenses
Therefore, applicants should consult the official 2027 application materials before relying on the description “fully funded.”
If the detailed call confirms that the major costs of participation are covered, the programme can accurately be promoted as a fully funded opportunity.
Why the Fellowship Matters for SIDS
Small Island Developing States face distinctive challenges in international policymaking.
The Italy-AOSIS Fellowship was specifically designed to address capacity needs within these countries.
Its objective extends beyond giving one individual international experience.
AOSIS states that the programme seeks to build enduring capacity in AOSIS member governments to engage in international processes.
This means Fellows can potentially return to their governments with stronger diplomatic, policy and technical capabilities.
2026 Fellows
The fellowship page highlights members of the 2026 cohort, demonstrating the programme’s geographic reach across Small Island Developing States.
Featured Fellows include participants from:
- Palau
- The Bahamas
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Barbados
- Belize
- Timor-Leste
- Vanuatu
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Fiji
- Guinea-Bissau
These examples illustrate the programme’s focus on building capacity across different AOSIS member states.
How to Apply for the Italy-AOSIS Fellowship 2027
Applications for the upcoming fellowship are currently open.
Candidates should begin by reviewing the official Italy-AOSIS Fellowship webpage.
Italy-AOSIS Fellowship Programme
AOSIS provides dedicated application materials containing the application form and instructions.
Download the 2027 Fellowship Application and Instructions
Applicants should read the instructions completely before preparing their submission.
The detailed document should be treated as the authoritative source for eligibility, required documents and submission requirements.
Application Deadline
The deadline is:
Friday, November 20, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST
Applicants should pay particular attention to the stated EST time zone.
International candidates should convert the closing time to their local time zone and avoid submitting at the last minute.
Contact Information
Questions concerning the fellowship can be directed to the programme through the contact information published by AOSIS.
The fellowship page identifies:
Jeremy Raguain – Fellowship Director
and
Giacomo Di Capua – Academic Advisor
General fellowship enquiries can be directed to the official AOSIS fellowship contact listed on the programme website.
Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Programme | Italy-AOSIS Fellowship |
| Organization | Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) |
| Supported By | Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security |
| Intake | 2027 |
| Location | New York, USA |
| Training Location | United Nations in New York |
| Duration | 1 year |
| Target Group | Early-career professionals from AOSIS member states |
| Professional Focus | Diplomacy / Policy |
| Training Areas | Law, Policy and Science |
| Applications | Open |
| Programme History | 11 years |
| Fellows to Date | 69 |
| SIDS Represented | 36 |
| Funding Support | Programme supported by Italian Ministry |
| Exact Financial Package | Check detailed 2027 application instructions |
| Deadline | November 20, 2026 |
| Closing Time | 11:59 PM EST |
Tips for Applicants
Candidates should begin by confirming that they satisfy the AOSIS membership and professional eligibility requirements.
Applicants can then focus on demonstrating how their professional experience and future goals connect with the programme’s objective of strengthening the ability of SIDS governments to participate in international processes.
A strong application should be based directly on the selection requirements contained in the official application materials.
Applicants should also make sure that all required documents are prepared well before the deadline.
Because the programme involves diplomatic training in New York, candidates should carefully review any conditions concerning government affiliation, nomination, travel documentation and other administrative requirements contained in the official instructions.
Why Consider the Italy-AOSIS Fellowship?
The programme offers something different from a conventional academic scholarship.
Its focus is on developing early-career diplomats and policy professionals from Small Island Developing States through a full year of education and practical training.
Participants gain exposure to issues involving law, policy and science while experiencing the international environment of the United Nations in New York.
The programme is also designed to produce longer-term benefits by strengthening institutional capacity within participating AOSIS governments.
Final Thoughts
The Italy-AOSIS Fellowship Programme 2027 offers early-career professionals from eligible AOSIS member states the opportunity to undertake one year of diplomatic education and training at the United Nations in New York, USA.
The programme is supported by the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security and focuses on practical experience involving law, policy and science.
Applications are currently open and will close on:
Friday, November 20, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST.
Candidates should download and carefully review the official application instructions before submitting their applications, particularly for detailed eligibility and financial-support conditions.
For maximum accuracy, I recommend the headline:
Italy-AOSIS Fellowship Programme 2027 in New York, USA: Applications Now Open
If the detailed application document confirms comprehensive funding for participation, you can use:
Italy-AOSIS Fellowship Programme 2027 in New York, USA | Fully Funded
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