Deadline: March 2, 2026
Applications are open for the UNHCR Innovation Fellowship 2026. The UNHCR Innovation Fellowship is an annual innovation learning programme for UNHCR’s workforce and members of select partner organizations. The Innovation Fellowship focuses on building the innovation skills and competencies of participants, and supports them to engage with colleagues, partners, and refugees to bring innovative approaches into their operations or divisions.
Over the course of the journey, Innovation Fellows learn and practice innovation methods and tools, embedding these new approaches into their everyday work. They focus on problem solving, ideation, and experimentation to develop innovative solutions to real-life challenges in the field or at headquarters. Fellows are UNHCR’s ambassadors for innovation and lasting positive change both within and outside the organization.
Program Details
The Fellowship involves a full curriculum of real-life assignments, online workshops, webinars, open-house calls, peer-support group sessions, and engagement with alumni (e.g. Innovation Hours) to support Fellows as they work on their independent projects.
To advance these projects, Fellows follow a loosely scripted approach, working their way through several tasks that guide them through the different stages of innovation. This process begins with a collaborative approach to narrowing down problems Fellows have identified and possible solutions to those problems. Then, each Fellow rapidly tests their ideas, before honing in on a particularly promising solution. Fellows aren’t expected to produce a perfect final product from this journey; instead, they’re expected to go through a process that evidences their learning and that they can continue with once the Fellowship is over.
Eligibility
The Fellowship is open to UNHCR colleagues (whether you’re based at Headquarters or in Operations, in any region and at any level) and to members of partner organizations. This includes:
- All UN agencies
- NGOs and partner organizations of UN agencies
Application
The application is designed to be both fun and reflective. Applicants are asked to submit a combination of video and written responses to specific prompts and questions. There are no right or wrong answers! They are interested in understanding individual motivation, self-reflection, and a willingness to try new things.
Applications will be reviewed by members of the UNHCR Innovation team. Each application will be read by at least two to three reviewers, depending on the total number of applications received.
For more information, visit UNHCR Innovation Fellowship.
