Since April 2024, Hiroshima University has been commissioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan to implement the Program for Global Human Resource Development for Peacebuilding and Development, in close cooperation with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). As part of this Program, the Primary Course is designed to prepare early career professionals in peacebuilding, international development and related fields to work with competence and agility.

Applications for the FY2026 Primary Course are now open (click here for the Call for Applications: https://gpad.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/00-Primary-Course-Call-for-ApplicationsInternational.pdf). 

Nationals from the following countries are invited to apply for this year’s program:  Republic of Angola, Burkina Faso, Republic of Colombia, Republic of Haiti, Lao People's Democratic Republic, State of Libya, Republic of Palau, State of Qatar, Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, and Ukraine.

1. Course Dates

• 2 online sessions in October 2026:  Program Associates will participate in 2 online preparatory sessions, where they will be introduced to each other and be given a pre-training assignment.
• November 2-8, 2026 (Week 1): Program Associates will meet in Tokyo and start their training on fundamental aspects of peacebuilding, development and the United Nations.
• November 9-27, 2026 (Weeks 2-4): Training will be delivered in person, mainly at the Higashi-Hiroshima campus of Hiroshima University in Hiroshima Prefecture and in Hiroshima city.

2. Deadline for Application

Deadline for sending the Application Form and language certificates:    

Wednesday July 1, 2026 (9 pm Japan time)

Please note that late submissions will not be accepted.

3. Submission Address

Please email your Application Form together with the certificate of English proficiency to:

gpad-primary * office.hiroshima-u.ac.jp (please replace * with @)

In the subject line, write “2026 Primary Course application (your first and last name, your country name)”.

▼For more information▼
If you have any questions or difficulties in filling in the application documents, please write to the GPAD Office: gpad-primary * office.hiroshima-u.ac.jp (please replace * with @)