UNHCR Innovation Fellowship 2026 for UN Agencies and NGO Professionals

The UNHCR Innovation Fellowship 2026 is now open for applications. This programme is designed to strengthen innovation skills among UNHCR staff and partner organizations, helping them develop practical solutions to real challenges in their work.

About the UNHCR Innovation Fellowship

The UNHCR Innovation Fellowship is a structured learning journey that equips participants with practical innovation tools and methods. Fellows learn how to approach challenges differently by focusing on problem solving, ideation and experimentation.

Throughout the programme, participants work on real challenges from their offices or field operations. They apply innovation frameworks directly to their daily responsibilities and gradually develop practical solutions.

Fellows also serve as ambassadors for innovation within their teams and across the wider humanitarian community.

Who Can Apply

The fellowship is open to:

• UNHCR staff at headquarters or in field operations

• Staff across all regions and levels within UNHCR

• Members of partner organizations

• All UN agencies

• NGOs and partner organizations working with UN agencies

The programme is suitable for professionals who are curious, open to learning and willing to experiment with new approaches in their current roles.

You do not need to hold an innovation title or have previous experience in innovation methods.

Applicants must obtain formal approval from their manager before participating in the fellowship.

Do You Need a Project Idea Before Applying

Applicants are not required to submit a fully developed innovation project.

Instead, participants are expected to bring a challenge, problem or area of interest from their work. During the fellowship, they will develop and refine their ideas using structured innovation methods.

What Fellows Do During the Programme

Fellows apply newly learned skills to real challenges they face in their work. They move through different stages of innovation while testing and improving their ideas.

Past fellows have worked on projects in areas such as:

• Protection

• Shelter

• Food security

• Cultural heritage

Some examples of previous projects include:

• Creating a refugee led storytelling network in Ireland to address negative narratives about refugees

• Developing structured approaches to include refugees in strategy planning in Panama

• Exploring sustainable and community driven shelter solutions in Chad

These examples show that the fellowship supports both operational and strategic innovation efforts.

Recommended: How to Apply for British Council STEM Scholarship 2026-2027: Fully Funded Masters and Fellowship Opportunities

Application Deadline

All applications must be submitted on or before 2 March 2026.

How to Apply for the UNHCR Innovation Fellowship 2026

Interested and eligible candidates should submit their applications through the official UNHCR Innovation Fellowship page using the link: https://www.unhcr.org/innovation/innovation-fellowship/

Applicants are advised to review the full programme details and secure managerial approval before applying.

Join us on WhatsApp