The Regional Academy on the United Nations

What The Regional Academy on the United Nations does

The Regional Academy on the United Nations (RAUN) is a Vienna-headquartered non-profit international education program established in January 2012. It runs a seven-month annual program (November through July) that combines two online sessions, two in-person sessions held in different participating countries, lectures by high-ranking UN and government officials, interactive workshops, and hands-on research projects conducted for UN agencies. RAUN targets outstanding Master and PhD students from any academic discipline who are interested in international cooperation, the UN system, and global policy challenges, recruiting them through formal partnerships with universities including the University of Vienna, the University of Economics Prague, the University of Szeged, the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna, Central European University Budapest, Webster University Vienna, and Comenius University Bratislava.

The core product is a single, cohort-based training program with no tuition and a minor service fee of \u20ac200 per participant. Research output is formalized through the RAUN Papers publication series, produced annually since the 2014/15 cohort and hosted on the organization's website. Program delivery is enabled by a broad partner ecosystem spanning UN entities (UNIDO, UNODC, UNHCR, IOM, FAO, OSCE, IAEA, UNEP, UNOOSA, UNIS Vienna, CTBTO), academic institutions, and endorsements from Former UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson, The Hague Institute for Global Justice, and the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna. Technology plays no substantive role in the offering: the program uses a Squarespace website, mainstream social channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn), and MailChimp for newsletter distribution.

Since founding, RAUN has trained over 400 young scholars from more than 40 countries, with alumni continuing into academia, government institutions, the UN system, and other international organizations. The organization is independent, with no parent company, no external investors, and no disclosed funding rounds. Operations are coordinated by a small team led by co-founder Billy Batware alongside an international coordination committee of researchers and practitioners.

Name

The Regional Academy on the United Nations

Legal name

Regional Academy on the United Nations

Website

https://ra-un.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Regional Academy on the United Nations (RAUN) is a Vienna-based non-profit education program training Master and PhD students through a seven-month annual curriculum of lectures, workshops, and hands-on research projects for UN agencies, recruiting participants from more than 40 countries via European university partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Relations Education

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAIAAAE

Hybrid, Multi-Location & Multi-Country Study Abroad Programs

Education/International Education & Study Abroad/Study Abroad Program Providers (Multi-Country & Multi-Discipline)

SECONDARYEDAIAIAF

Research & Lab-Based Short-Term Programs (Undergraduate/Graduate)

Education/International Education & Study Abroad/International Summer/Winter Schools & Short-Term Academic Programs

Keywords

• International education program
• UN training program
• Policy research projects
• Graduate student training
• Multilateral diplomacy education

Headquarters

HQ city

Vienna

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Program Service Fees: RAUN charges a minor service fee of 200€ for participation in the seven-month program. The program is described as a non-profit international education initiative.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

RAUN operates a non-profit, seven-month international education program (November–July) that pairs outstanding Master and PhD students with UN Organizations for hands-on research projects, lectures by UN and government officials, and interactive workshops. The curriculum is structured around an annual theme of global relevance and is delivered through two online sessions and two in-person sessions held in different participating countries.

Product overview

The Regional Academy on the United Nations operates a single unified educational program consisting of a seven-month training initiative combining lectures, interactive workshops, and practical research projects. The core offering is the RAUN Program, which includes in-person sessions in different countries, online sessions, and research collaboration with UN Agencies. Supporting this are RAUN Papers—academic research publications produced by participants. The program is designed for Master and PhD students and requires no tuition, only a minor service charge of 200€.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Regional Academy on the United Nations (RAUN) Program A seven-month, non-profit international education program for Master and PhD students combining hands-on research projects with UN agencies, expert-led lectures, and interactive workshops across multiple countries. Designed as an extra-curricular supplement to university studies with a minor service charge of €200 and no tuition.

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Academic Council on the United Nations System (ACUNS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012ACUNS was a founding partner in establishing RAUN in January 2012. The partnership provides academic oversight and connection to the broader academic community studying the United Nations system.
• United Nations Information Service (UNIS) ViennacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012UNIS Vienna was a founding partner in establishing RAUN and continues to support the program by hosting sessions and providing access to UN facilities and experts.
• Comprehensive Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012CTBTO was a founding partner in establishing RAUN and provides research opportunities for students.
• Czech United Nations AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Czech UNA was a founding partner in establishing RAUN and supports student recruitment from the Czech Republic.
• University of Economics in PraguecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012University of Economics in Prague was a founding partner university providing student participants and academic support.
• University of SzegedcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012University of Szeged (Hungary) was a founding partner university providing student participants.
• The Hague Institute for Global JusticecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012The Hague Institute for Global Justice was a founding partner and endorsed the Academy. They support with expertise and occasional research opportunities.
• University of ViennacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012University of Vienna is a key partner university providing student participants and academic support.
• Diplomatic Academy ViennacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012The Diplomatic Academy of Vienna endorsed RAUN and hosts sessions. Both institutions share emphasis on internationality, interdisciplinarity, and high academic standards.
• Central European University BudapestcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Central European University is a partner university providing student participants for the program.
• Webster University ViennacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Webster University Vienna is a partner university providing student participants.
• Comenius University BratislavacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Comenius University Bratislava is a partner university providing student participants.
• IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIAEA partners with RAUN to provide research project opportunities for student participants.
• UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNEP partners with RAUN providing research opportunities for students on environmental topics.
• UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNHCR partners with RAUN providing research opportunities on refugee-related topics.
• UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNIDO partners with RAUN providing research opportunities for students on industrial development topics.
• UNOOSA (United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNOOSA partners with RAUN providing research opportunities on space-related topics.
• UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNODC partners with RAUN providing research opportunities on organized crime, corruption, and drug-related topics.
• OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOSCE partners with RAUN providing research opportunities on security and human rights topics.
• IOM (International Organization for Migration)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIOM partners with RAUN providing research opportunities on migration-related topics.
• FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFAO partners with RAUN providing research opportunities on agriculture and food security topics.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• European University Institute (EUI): Intergovernmental postgraduate and research institution in Florence focused on social sciences including international relations. Comparable European institutional setting and doctoral-level cohort interested in EU/UN governance.
• SOAS University of London: Specialized UK university delivering graduate programs in international studies, development, and politics. Overlapping target audience of internationally oriented Master/PhD students considering UN careers.
• Sciences Po – Paris School of International Affairs (PSIA): Established graduate school in international affairs; draws a similar Master-level student profile interested in multilateral organizations. A more institutionalized competitor for talent and academic prestige.
• Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (IHEID): Geneva-based graduate school focused on international affairs, development, and humanitarian action. Competes for the same pool of UN-aspirational Master/PhD students RAUN targets and offers summer/executive programming.
• The Hague Academy of International Law: Long-established international-law summer/winter program hosting students from around the world in The Hague. Comparable short-cycle, international, multi-country format and similar elite student persona.

Direct peers

• United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR): UN-affiliated training arm delivering short, multi-country programs to diplomats, young professionals, and students on UN-system topics. Most direct institutional analogue to RAUN's mandate and delivery format.
• Academic Council on the United Nations System (ACUNS): Founding partner of RAUN and the leading global scholarly society for UN-system research. Directly comparable as it convenes graduate students and scholars around UN issues and produces academic publications on multilateral governance.
• United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC): UN-system entity providing learning programs for UN staff and external partners, often multi-location and multi-country. Overlaps RAUN in audience (UN-interested learners), topic area, and use of UN practitioners as lecturers.
• Diplomatic Academy of Vienna: Partner organization and co-host of RAUN sessions in Vienna. Delivers degree and executive programs in international relations and diplomacy for graduate students, serving a substantively overlapping audience.

Emerging players

• THIMUN Foundation: Runs international Model UN programs (including THIMUN-affiliated conferences and academic tracks) for high school and university students worldwide. Comparable in UN-themed extra-curricular training for international-minded students.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/regionalacademy
• Facebookfacebook.com/RAUNAcademy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/regional-academy-on-the-united-nations-raun-
• Instagraminstagram.com/regionalacademyun

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Regional Academy on the United Nations