Future Diplomats Forum 2027

The Future Diplomats Forum (FDF) 2027 is the second edition of HISA’s international diplomacy forum. It will take place in Geneva, Switzerland, from 10–13 February 2027, following the inaugural edition held in Washington, DC in April 2025.

The four-day programme is designed for students, graduates, young professionals, aspiring diplomats, policy advocates and youth leaders interested in diplomacy, international affairs and global governance. Applicants can come from any academic or professional background.

Participants are expected to engage in activities including:

• Keynote sessions with diplomats, international civil servants and policy professionals.
• Diplomatic simulations and negotiation exercises.
• Workshops on global governance.
• Trade diplomacy discussions.
• Humanitarian affairs sessions.
• Climate diplomacy.
• Conflict-resolution exercises.
• Panel discussions on multilateralism and international careers.
• Cultural exchange and structured networking.
• Institutional engagement with Geneva-based international organisations.

HISA states that the programme includes institutional engagement with the United Nations system in Geneva, World Trade Organization (WTO) and other Geneva-based organisations. However, FDF 2027 is organised by HISA, and applicants should not interpret these activities as meaning that the programme itself is organised, sponsored or funded by the UN or WTO unless those organisations separately confirm such a relationship.

The competitive scholarship route offers 250 places across three categories. Applicants submit one scholarship application and may be considered for Fully Funded, Partially Funded or Forum Access placement.

HISA also advertises separate paid participation routes, currently including an Invitation Letter option, Forum Access Pass and Self-Funded Package. These are separate from the competitive scholarship application.

Applicants must meet the following official requirements:

• Be 18–45 years old.
• Applicants from all nationalities and regions may apply.
• Pakistani nationals are therefore eligible.
• Students, recent graduates and young professionals are especially encouraged.
• Applicants from any educational or professional background may apply.
• A background in diplomacy or international relations is not compulsory.
• Interest in international relations, diplomacy, political science, public policy, law, economics, trade or human rights is considered relevant.
• Applicants must have working proficiency in English.
• IELTS, TOEFL or another English-language certificate is not required.
• Applicants must be available to attend the complete programme in Geneva from 10–13 February 2027.
• Participants must have a valid passport.
• HISA recommends that the passport remain valid for at least six months beyond the intended travel dates.

Fully Funded Scholarship – 50 Seats

Selected Fully Funded delegates are advertised to receive:

• International round-trip airfare.
• 4-star shared accommodation on a twin-sharing basis.
• Official visa invitation letter.
• Comprehensive visa support.
• Visa application document checklist.
• Proof of accommodation.
• Embassy coordination.
• Visa-cost coverage.
• Summit meals and daily breakfast.
• Airport transfers.
• Inter-city transport.
• Full forum and networking access.
• HISA certification.
• Merchandise.
• Speaking opportunities.

Partially Funded Scholarship – 100 Seats

Selected Partially Funded delegates are advertised to receive:

• 4-star twin-sharing accommodation.
• Official visa invitation letter.
• Comprehensive visa support.
• Visa application document checklist.
• Proof of accommodation.
• Embassy coordination.
• Summit meals and daily breakfast.
• Airport transfers.
• Inter-city transport.
• Full forum and networking access.
• Certification.
• Merchandise.
• Speaking opportunities.
• International airfare is not included for Partially Funded delegates.

Forum Access Scholarship – 100 Seats

Forum Access delegates are advertised to receive:

• Official visa invitation letter.
• Comprehensive visa support.
• Visa application document checklist.
• Embassy coordination.
• Summit meals.
• Full forum and networking access.
• Certification.
• Merchandise.
• Speaking opportunities.

Airfare and accommodation are not included in this category.

Programme-Wide Opportunities

Participants may also gain:

• Practical diplomatic negotiation experience.
• International networking.
• Exposure to global governance discussions.
• Institutional engagement in Geneva.
• Cross-cultural exchange.
• Access to HISA’s alumni network.
• Career exposure to diplomacy and international affairs.

For the initial scholarship application, the current official form requires:

• Recent headshot/DP in JPG, JPEG or PNG format.
• Maximum headshot file size: 1 MB.
• Full name.
• Email address.
• Contact/WhatsApp number.
• Gender.
• Nationality.
• Completion of the mandatory application questionnaire.
• Motivation response explaining why the applicant wants to participate and why they should be selected.
• A short descriptive response about how someone who has worked closely with the applicant would describe them.

Applicants must also have:

• A valid passport for participation and international travel.
• HISA recommends at least six months’ passport validity beyond the programme dates.

The current initial scholarship form does not list the following as mandatory uploads:

• CV/résumé.
• Academic transcript.
• Degree certificate.
• Recommendation letters.
• IELTS certificate.
• TOEFL certificate.

HISA does not currently publish a formal percentage-based scoring rubric for FDF 2027.

However, the mandatory scholarship questionnaire asks applicants about:

• Ability to reconsider a position when presented with better evidence.
• Ability to work with people from different cultural, political and value backgrounds.
• Decision-making when information is incomplete.
• Ability to turn an idea into a measurable result.
• Negotiation approach.
• Leadership response when a project or team encounters difficulties.
• Professional ability to represent positions in an international setting.
• Engagement with global affairs and international policy.
• Motivation for joining the forum.
• Interest in networking, negotiation, public speaking, policy or project development.
• Previous representation at conferences, MUNs, panels, competitions or formal events.
• Previous leadership experience.
• Quality and relevance of the main motivation response.

• Develop practical diplomacy and negotiation skills.
• Experience an international forum in Geneva, a major centre of multilateral diplomacy.
• Participate in diplomatic simulations and policy-focused workshops.
• Explore global governance, humanitarian affairs, climate diplomacy and trade.
• Meet participants from different nationalities and professional backgrounds.
• Build an international network of aspiring diplomats and young professionals.
• Gain exposure to Geneva-based international institutions.
• Strengthen communication, leadership and cross-cultural collaboration skills.
• Join HISA’s international alumni network after participation.