Open Call for Scholarships for the Diploma Programme in Migration Management at the United Nations University-MERIT

The Migration Management Diploma Programme (MMDP) is a training programme offered by UNU-MERIT since 2013. This programme is aimed at government officials working in migration and asylum. It is also open to other professionals and students interested in managing migration and asylum policies. Lasting three months full-time, the course uses a variety of teaching and assessment methods, including lectures and interactive sessions with participants. Particular attention is paid to practical exercises, namely the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) method.

The MMDP aims to develop theoretical knowledge about migration management and practical skills such as articulation and presentation; how to write briefs, policy notes and memos; how to formulate evidence-based policies; and how to work in groups and deal with conflicting interests. In the scenario-building sessions, participants create migration scenarios for their own countries, which are proven to help shape meaningful policies within their institutions. Overall, the course equips participants with a range of new skills and insights, as well as practical and interactive experiences of how to apply the latest knowledge in the field of migration management.

In addition, the MMDP aims to provide a platform for networking through field trips across Europe, including a visit to Dutch ministries in The Hague, EU institutions in Brussels and the United Nations and other intergovernmental agencies in Geneva. This experience also offers participants insights into the national, regional and international realities of migration management from the perspectives of various respective institutions.

This MMDP is made up of three courses:

i. Migration Management and Protection,

ii. Migration and Development, and

iii. Migration Policy.

Each course lasts four weeks and comprises several modules related to the theme of the course, including Introduction to Migration Data; International Migration Law; Improving Migration for Development; Labour Migration Management; Diaspora Engagement; and Policy Coherence and Global Governance of Migration.

Each of the three main courses is deliberately divided into four one-week blocks, making the learning process structured and digestible. To guarantee the quality of the programme, there is a full-time commitment requirement of 40 hours a week from participants - including contact hours and self-preparation - with special attention paid to interactive exercises and practical workshops.

In the past, MMDP participants have self-funded their studies or received a scholarship from donors such as the EU, the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ) and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Participants come from various countries and regions of the world, including the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Europe.

Application deadlines and important dates for this academic year (2023-24)

The call for scholarships to take part in the Migration Management Diploma Programme (MMDP) 2024 is now open. Applications from professionals and civil servants working in the field of migration management are being accepted, and the deadline for applications is the 27th of October 2023 at 23:59 CET.

The selection of candidates will be finalised and successful candidates for the MMDP will be notified by mid-November 2023.

The MMDP 2024 cohort will run from 2 April 2024 21 June 2024 and will take place in Maastricht, the Netherlands.

To apply for the MMDP, applications must be submitted to through the online platform here.