The Programme is open to universities and other institutions of higher education and research that are recognized as bona fide institutions by the competent national authorities in the respective country and accepted by UNESCO; NGOs working in the field of higher education and research; other academic associations; inter-university and other academic networks that wish to establish a link between their own activities and the Programme; national, regional and international public or private institutions and agencies that currently have or intend to develop cooperative links with UNESCO.  

Any institution eligible to participate in the Programme can submit a project proposal for a UNESCO Chair or UNITWIN Cooperation programme. However, UNESCO Chairs and UNITWIN Cooperation programmes are established only at universities, other institutions of higher learning, or research institutions in higher education.

After registering for the first time by clicking here, the head of an interested institution submits to UNESCO a project proposal via My UNITWIN. The proposal must be aligned with UNESCO’s priorities as defined in the Approved Programme and Budget and the Medium-term Strategy , with the sectors’ priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals. It should illustrate the dual function of UNESCO Chairs and UNITWIN Cooperation programmes as think tanks and bridge builders; and contribute to strengthening North-South, South-South and triangular cooperation thus reinforcing the dynamism of networks and partnerships. Every project must be accompanied by a letter of support from the National Commission for UNESCO and supporting documents from national, regional and global institutional and financial partners. 

The deadline for the receipt of new proposals is 30 April of each year. Projects are evaluated and the UNESCO Chair or UNITWIN Cooperation programme is established following a favorable assessment. 

Chairs and Cooperation programmes are established for four years. They can pursue their activities beyond this initial period when their performance shared in a progress report and future plans are favourably evaluated.