The WTO Chairs Programme was launched in 2010. It is fostering research, training, and outreach activities of relevance to governmental policy makers and other stakeholders at universities in developing countries and least developed countries. Academic institutions awarded WTO Chairs receive support in the areas of research, curriculum development, and outreach activities. The chair-holders are selected through a competitive process. Fourteen institutions were originally selected as WTO Chairs for a four-year term in 2009. Seven institutions were added to the Programme in May 2014. Following a call for applications for Phase 3 of the Programme, over 120 applications were received by the WTO. A selection process resulted in 15 institutions being chosen to join the network of WCP Chairs in December 2021. As the result of 2024 call for applications, 5 institutions will join the programme in 2025 in the framework of Phase 4. This further diversifies the Programme's representation across the globe, with the network now comprising 39 universities.
