2025 United Nations OHCHR Indigenous Fellowship Program(Fully-funded)
About the Indigenous Fellowship Programme
Overview
Please note that applications for the 2025 OHCHR Indigenous Fellowship Program (for all 5 language components) will be accepted until Saturday, 31 August 2024.
The Indigenous Fellowship Programme was established in 1997 by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) during the first International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People. This programme aims to provide indigenous persons with comprehensive knowledge about the UN system and human rights mechanisms, specifically focusing on indigenous issues. Participants are empowered to assist their communities in protecting and promoting their rights. Training is available in five languages: English, Spanish, French, Russian, and Portuguese.
Programme Details
Training Schedule: The training lasts for four weeks in Geneva, coinciding with the annual session of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (June/July). This timing allows fellows to engage actively with the Mechanism.
Coverage: Selected candidates receive a return flight ticket, living expenses, and basic health insurance for the duration of the training.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the Indigenous Fellowship Programme, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Must be indigenous.
- No age limit for participation.
- No formal education requirement due to socio-economic barriers faced by indigenous peoples.
- Must agree to train other indigenous persons upon returning to their community.
- Must be proposed and supported by their indigenous organization or community, which should have a representative constituency or membership.
- Should have a good working knowledge of the programme’s language.
Application Process
Submission: Complete and sign both parts of the application form. Submit the application via regular post or email. Applications must include an official recommendation letter from the nominating indigenous organization or community.
Mailing Address:
We strongly encourage you to send your application form well before the deadline. Fellowship applications will only be taken into consideration if they are fully completed. Both parts I and II of the application form must be signed and sent by regular post to the following address:
Mr. Morse Caoagas Flores
Coordinator, Indigenous Fellowship Programme
Indigenous Peoples and Minorities Section
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
48, Avenue Giuseppe-Motta, Office 2-05
CH-1211 Geneva 10
Switzerland
Scanned applications are also accepted and can be sent to the following email: ohchr-fellowship@un.org and copy: morse.flores@un.org
Application forms need to be accompanied by an official recommendation letter from the nominating indigenous organization or community.
Selection Process
The selection process aims for gender and regional balance and considers the human rights situation in the candidates’ regions. Previous indigenous fellows conduct a pre-selection of 15 to 20 candidates per language group. This is followed by interviews. For the Portuguese, Spanish, and Russian components, selection is done in collaboration with partner universities: University of Brasilia, University of Deusto, and Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia. An advisory group of OHCHR staff reviews the final selection.
Note: Due to the high volume of applications, only pre-selected candidates will be contacted.
Contact Information
For any questions regarding the Indigenous Fellowship Programme, please email: ohchr-fellowship@un.org.
This programme offers a unique opportunity for indigenous persons to gain essential knowledge and skills, empowering them to support their communities in the pursuit of human rights and justice. Apply now to be part of this transformative experience.
