Category Archives: awards

UNIDIR WOMEN IN AI FELLOWSHIP: CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

Application Deadline: Tuesday, 24 February  (midnight, CET)

LOCATION: Switzerland

UNIDIR is pleased to announce a call for applications for its 2026 Women in AI Fellowship. To redress gender inequalities and promote inclusive and effective policymaking, UNIDIR is convening the 2026 edition of the Women in AI Fellowship. This is designed as a capacity-building intervention that endows women diplomats with up-to-the-minute knowledge of the policy, legal, and technical aspects of AI.

ELIGIBILITY:

The fellowship is open to women diplomats and government representatives who:

Are junior to mid-career level

Are representatives of UN Member States

Have a strong command of both written and spoken English

Have an interest in security, technology and/or gender

Applications will be carefully screened by UNIDIR on the basis of the criteria specified above, and applicants will be informed of the result of their application regardless of their selection status.

Application requirements:

UN Member States and Delegations of international or regional organizations are invited to nominate women diplomats and government representatives for the fellowship through their respective diplomatic representation. While multiple nominations from Member States and Delegations are possible, UNIDIR will select only one fellow per entity to ensure regional diversity.

Please submit the following supporting documents by email to sectec-unidir@un.org with the subject line “2026 UNIDIR Women in AI Fellowship Application”:

Copy of passport;

Curriculum vitae of no more than two pages;

Two recommendation letters, one of which should be from the applicant’s national government or diplomatic representation to the UN;

A one-page letter of interest detailing the applicant’s experience and interest in the areas covered by the fellowship, as well as an outline of how they envisage using knowledge gained during the programme.

Please ensure that the applicant’s email address is included in the CC field of the email to UNIDIR.

BENEFIT:

The fellowship is delivered free of charge. Financial support for travel to and accommodation in Geneva for the week-long training programme will be available for a select number of participants. Fellows from developing countries will be prioritized for this support.

APPLY

REST OF WORLD’S 2026 PHOTO CONTEST

Application Deadline: midnight GMT on February 28, 2026.

LOCATION: USA

Technology is often portrayed as sterile, isolating, and cold. At Rest of the world, they know that technology thrives alongside humanity, often being used in novel ways and under surprising circumstances. Their 2026 photo contest seeks to celebrate its creative uses in the regions where you live.

ELIGIBILITY:

They want to see your images of technology’s impact and hear the stories behind them. Based on the popularity of last year’s contest, they are now offering three categories of focus:

Surprising screens: Show them your screens being used in very remote or unusual places, or how screens are being used in unexpected ways.

Inherited innovation: They want to see how older technology is still being used, especially if it includes DIY hacks, repair kiosks, or unique uses.

Member’s choice: Their members will pick the best technology photos from the submissions. Want to become a member?  Join us!

The contest is open to photographers of any skill level, living and working in any part of the world. Each photographer may enter a single image made within the last two years. The contest is open for entries until midnight GMT on February 28, 2026.

They’re asking you to include a detailed description of the photograph you’re submitting, including where and when it was taken and what the scene shows. Help them understand the larger context in which the photograph shows technology’s impact in your community. 

Rest of World will review the submissions and select 15 images as finalists in each category. A winner and an honorable mention will be selected by members and a judging panel. 

BENEFIT:

The first-place winner in each category will be awarded a $750 cash prize. The honorable mention in each category will receive a $250 cash prize.

APPLY