General Information for Applicants
You can also find the information provided on this page in our handbook for applicants which you can download here.
Application process and eligibility
The program is open to Master and PhD students from all academic fields who are interested in topics related to international cooperation, development, and the work of international organizations. Eligible candidates are invited to an interview in which they are assessed based on their competences and interest in the United Nation system, their research experience, and their personality. Applicants are required to show strong discipline, eagerness to learn, cultural openness, and other personality traits needed to perform with excellence in an international and multi-disciplinary environment
Applicants are required to fulfill the following criteria:
Applicants are required to fulfill the following criteria:
- Be enrolled in a Master or PhD program (from all academic fields);
- Have at least basic knowledge of and interest in the UN system and topics of the RAUN program;
- Very good knowledge of English (written and spoken) and good knowledge in writing academic papers;
- Ability and willingness to work and learn in a multinational and multicultural group;
- Be between 21 and 30 years of age by the time of applying;
- Be studying at a University based in one of the partner countries (AT, SK, PL, CZ, HU, SL, DE, IT, we also accept applications from students who are residing in other countries in Europe);
- Be able to combine the Academy’s program with their studies;
- Be able to attend all three sessions and invest sufficient time for the research projects.
Application procedure
All applicants are required to send the following documents when applying:
Note: all documents should be put together and sent as one single PDF file. The name of the file should be named and sent as “Country_first name_last name_RAUN application.pdf”. This means, country where you are applying from (Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Slovenia), your first and last name, RAUN application. (e.g. Slovakia_Jana_Novakova_RAUN application.pdf)
- Latest CV (2 pages) in English;
- Motivation letter (one page) in English;
- Completed expression of interest form;
- Sample of written academic paper (preferably in English):
This could be a BA or MA thesis, a module paper, a paper submitted for a conference, a proposal for a Master or PhD thesis, etc.; - Transcript of records/overview of university grades
- 2 names of professors or former employers as references:
The listed persons may be contacted to obtain further information about the candidate
Note: all documents should be put together and sent as one single PDF file. The name of the file should be named and sent as “Country_first name_last name_RAUN application.pdf”. This means, country where you are applying from (Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Slovenia), your first and last name, RAUN application. (e.g. Slovakia_Jana_Novakova_RAUN application.pdf)
Fees and scholarships
Please note that a non-refundable registration fee of 150€ is required from selected participants. Coronavirus update: if one or all three sessions are not physical, the registration fee will be reduced. RAUN Participants also need to cover all their costs of transportation to and from sessions, accommodation and meals unless stated otherwise. Some sending universities provide funding for some or all of the costs. Students are encouraged to inform themselves about funding opportunities and apply for available grants at their universities, local governments and other institutions. The organizers of each session will facilitate budget accommodation and meals for participants. Homestays with other participants can be organized to further reduce the traveling costs.
For the 2020 Regional Academy a limited amount of scholarships (tuition waiver) are available. If you are interested in applying for a scholarship, please fill in a scholarship form, which you can find on our application page. Please also state whether you are willing to participate in the Academy if you do not receive the scholarship. The scholarships are given based on merit. The Regional Academy is a non-profit organization operated by volunteers with very little funding, hence we can only provide limited financial support to our participants. Please only apply for a scholarship if you have really no other means to finance your participation in the Academy!
For the 2020 Regional Academy a limited amount of scholarships (tuition waiver) are available. If you are interested in applying for a scholarship, please fill in a scholarship form, which you can find on our application page. Please also state whether you are willing to participate in the Academy if you do not receive the scholarship. The scholarships are given based on merit. The Regional Academy is a non-profit organization operated by volunteers with very little funding, hence we can only provide limited financial support to our participants. Please only apply for a scholarship if you have really no other means to finance your participation in the Academy!
Selection of applicants
- Phase one of the selection process involve a screening based on the participation requirements listed above. We advise applicants to read the requirements carefully and only apply when they are sure that they fulfill them. In case of doubt please contact us.
- During phase two, applicants who fulfill the general requirements are evaluated based on their CVs, motivation letters, university grades, and the submitted research paper. During this phase, applicants are shortlisted and invited for personal interviews.
- Phase three – the final part of the selection – involves a competency-based interview with applicants during which candidates’ credentials are assessed. After the interview, successful candidates are informed and provided with further information about the program.