Deadline:
December 01, 2025
Program Starts: January 29, 2026
Program Ends: February 01, 2026
Location(s)
United States of America
The oldest, largest, and most prestigious Model UN conference for high school students will be held in person at the Boston Sheraton and Marriott Copley Place Hotels.
Overview
Harvard Model United Nations (HMUN) is a four-day international relation simulation for high school students held annually in downtown Boston. At HMUN, delegates assume the roles of world leaders and international decision-makers, an exciting opportunity for young leaders to debate the most pressing issues of the day and to draft innovative, creative solutions. Participants will develop several skills throughout the HMUN process, including but not limited to: leadership, public speaking, negotiation, teamwork, and policy-crafting.
Details
True to the spirit of the United Nations, HMUN strives to foster a constructive forum for open dialogue on a range of complex issues: we ask delegates to think critically about the world around them in new and ambitious ways. What is the purpose of multilateral organizations like the United Nations? What goals can such organizations achieve? How do we balance regional interests of a nation with the interests of the international community? How do we ensure that those with power use it responsibly? What can young people do to affect change in their own communities and at the world at large?
HMUN 2026 builds upon seventy-two years of prior experience. In 1927, Harvard held its first annual Model League of Nations, followed by our first Harvard Model United Nations conference in 1953. This longevity, paired with a deep commitment to innovation, makes HMUN the premier simulation of its kind across the world.
Why HMUN?
- Substantive Excellence: The staff of HMUN is carefully selected to consist of the most passionate and dedicated directors. Each background guide is carefully constructive for its committee and reflects months of thorough research and critical thinking. All of our directors are experts on their chosen topic and are committed to HMUN’s ideals, resulting in well-run, challenging, and focused committees. Many delegates leave our conference with a new-found passion for international relations and greater awareness of the issues that dominate our world.
- Tradition and Innovation: Begun decades years ago with Harvard Model League of Nations, our conference is the product of years of constant innovation and a commitment to substantive excellence. While our conference has expanded considerably, including to over 50 nations across the world, we are fully committed to the same high standard of experience for every individual delegate. HMUN is an organization dedicated to exploring new and exciting opportunities for all conference delegates and faculty advisors. HMUN 2026 will continue to offer innovative, challenging committees, cutting-edge technology, and, of course, excitement for delegates outside of committee.
- Size and Diversity: At HMUN 2026, delegates will have the opportunity to interact with more than 3,000 high school students from hundreds of high schools around the world. HMUN challenges this diverse pool of young leaders to tackle some of the most pressing issues in the world through sustained discussion, respectful debate, and negotiation. Our conference is designed to foster negotiation and public speaking skills, introduce students to a range of global challenges, and provide culturally diverse perspectives on a variety of issues. Our strong emphasis on representation at our conference from schools across the globe ensures that the HMUN experience is truly an international one.
Opportunity is About
Eligibility
Candidates should be from:
Description of Ideal Candidate
Eligibility
- In order to be eligible to apply for HMUN 2026, applicants must be 13 years of age or older and enrolled in, or recently graduated from, a high school during the time of the conference. In particular, college students are not eligible to apply for HMUN 2026.
- We understand that some high schools may culminate before the dates of the conference. You are eligible to apply to HMUN 2026 as long as you will not be matriculated in a college during the time of the conference.
- Once accepted, students must be accompanied by a faculty advisor. Teachers, university students, parents, administrators, and other adults 18 years of age or older are eligible to serve as faculty advisors. Any individual who is eligible to participate at HMUN as a delegate is ineligible to serve as a faculty advisor.
Dates
Deadline: December 01, 2025
Program starts:
January 29, 2026
Program ends:
February 01, 2026
Program Starts: January 29, 2026
Program Ends: February 01, 2026
Cost/funding for participants
Un-save Opportunity
Internships, scholarships, student conferences and competitions.
