The UN Summer Academy (UNSA) fosters rich interactions on issues relevant to the work of the United Nations and its partners in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement. The theme for this year is 'Digital Transformation for Sustainable Development'.
We are pleased to offer a limited number of full scholarships funded by the state government of North Rhine-Westphalia. The criteria and the application process are described at the end of this page.
The UN Summer Academy is a dynamic and engaging global forum for advancing sustainable development. For over a decade, the academy has convened exceptional groups of changemakers annually to address global challenges that the UN system and its partners from multiple sectors and regions across the world are addressing. The academy combines academic rigour with cutting-edge thinking, providing participants with innovative learning and networking opportunities.
In September 2025, the academy will once again welcome participants to engage in robust discussions and knowledge exchanges on Digital Transformation for Sustainable Development.
Upon successfully participating in the UN Summer Academy 2025, participants will:
This 5th virtual edition of academy is designed using experiential online learning methodologies that combine panel discussions featuring high-level speakers with interactive opportunities for knowledge exchange, experience sharing, and hands-on practice sessions.
Most of the virtual academy is synchronous with limited mandatory pre-readings. Participants will engage with a wide range of expert inputs during live webinars, reflect in small-groups during breakout activities, prepare for learner-led and peer-to-peer knowledge exchanges, and apply the knowledge and skills they have during co-creation activities.
This academy places a premium on fun and relationship-building. During networking sessions, participants showcase their work, play games, and engage in other social activities.
In this year's summer academy, participants will explore key topics in-depth through plenary sessions, applied use cases, hands-on practice sessions, and side events on trending topics. Participants will have an opportunity to present their solution to a real-world sustainable development challenge by participating in a hackathon.
An agenda detailing the session themes is presented below.
Up to 100 applicants who sign up will be selected based on their professional/academic profile and motivation statements, with scholarships available for a select few. When signing up, make sure you dedicate enough time to fill in all the required information, especially at the question: “Tell us a bit more about why you are applying for this course”.
The cohort will comprise of UN professionals; representatives from national and local government bodies; members of civil society, academia; and sustainability intrapreneurs from the private sector. More specifically, successful applicants to UNSA will be mid-level professionals with 8-15 years of experience working on digital transformation for sustainable development.
The selection board will make sure geographic regions, gender, and sectors – including UN and non-UN - are well represented in the cohort.
IMPORTANT
The course fee of USD 800 for individual participants covers the following:
Participants are expected to cover all costs related to their participation in UNSA (computer, Internet access, any other IT equipment, etc.) .
How to apply for a UNSA 2025 Scholarship?
Please read the instructions carefully before you begin.
IMPORTANT
The deadline for scholarship applications is Friday, 1 August 2025.