AlUla Fellowships Programme 2026 by UNESCO UK
Are you passionate about world heritage, conservation, and cultural research? The UNESCO / Kingdoms Institute: AlUla Fellowships Programme offers international students and professionals a unique opportunity to study, train, and research for free abroad in 2026. This prestigious fellowship brings together global heritage experts to work in Saudi Arabia and across international UNESCO offices while building capacity to protect and promote cultural heritage worldwide.
What’s Offered by the Fellowship?
The programme provides 10 fully funded fellowships in 2026. Each fellowship spans 24 months and is structured into three enriching rotations:
- Rotation 1 (6 months, AlUla, Saudi Arabia): Research and training at the Kingdoms Institute in heritage management, archaeology, conservation, and cultural landscapes.
- Rotation 2 (12 months, UNESCO Duty Stations): Sponsored traineeship in global locations such as Paris HQ, Cairo, Bangkok, Harare, and more. Fellows gain hands-on experience with UNESCO’s Culture Programme.
- Rotation 3 (6 months, National Commissions & Heritage Entities): Work placements in museums, heritage organizations, or cultural commissions to apply skills in real-world heritage management.
The fellowship covers:
- Fieldwork opportunities in heritage-rich AlUla.
- Training in emergency preparedness and response for heritage sites.
- Supervised professional development with UNESCO experts and partner institutions.
- A clear pathway for building a global career in heritage conservation and cultural management.
Who Can Apply?
The fellowship welcomes young heritage professionals and researchers who meet the following requirements:
- Hold nationality of one of UNESCO’s invited Member States or Associate Members.
- Be 25–39 years old at the time of application.
- Hold at least a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in fields such as heritage management, archaeology, anthropology, conservation, architecture, museum management, art history, cultural studies, or related disciplines.
- Demonstrate excellent English proficiency. Knowledge of other UNESCO official languages (Arabic, French, Spanish, Chinese, or Russian) is an advantage.
New Application Submission Dates
For the 2026 edition, applications must be submitted by Monday, 6 October 2025 (midnight, Paris time). All required documents—including CV, diploma copies, application form, motivation letter, proposal form, video introduction, and passport copy—must be submitted to this portal before the deadline.
Why Apply?
The AlUla Fellowships Programme is more than just training—it is a global platform to launch your career in heritage research and management. Fellows will:
- Work alongside UNESCO experts and international partners.
- Contribute to the protection of World Heritage sites, especially in times of risk.
- Build a strong professional network in the fields of heritage and cultural preservation.
- Gain international exposure with experience in Saudi Arabia and UNESCO offices worldwide.
For students and young professionals aiming to make an impact in global heritage and conservation, this fellowship is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to study and work abroad for free in 2026 while directly contributing to the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Visit daadscholarship.com for More Fully-funded Scholarships 2026 News.
