UNHCR Innovation Fellowship 2026: Apply Now to Build Innovation Skills for Humanitarian Impact

The UNHCR Innovation Fellowship 2026 is now accepting applications, offering a unique opportunity for humanitarian professionals to build practical innovation skills and apply them to real-world challenges affecting displaced communities. Delivered by UNHCR Innovation, this annual learning programme equips participants with tools, mindsets, and methods to drive lasting, people-centered change within their organizations. The Fellowship is designed for UNHCR staff and colleagues from partner organizations, regardless of role, seniority, or prior innovation experience. What matters most is curiosity, openness to learning, and a commitment to experimentation.

What Is the UNHCR Innovation Fellowship?

The Innovation Fellowship is a structured innovation learning journey that helps participants embed innovation into everyday work. Fellows learn by doing—working on a real challenge from their context and progressing through stages of problem definition, ideation, experimentation, and learning.

Over the course of the programme, Fellows collaborate with colleagues, partners, and refugees to explore new ways of working that improve humanitarian operations and outcomes.

Fellows also act as innovation ambassadors, helping to spread innovation culture and practices within and beyond their teams.

Why the UNHCR Innovation Fellowship Matters

Humanitarian challenges are increasingly complex. The UNHCR Innovation Fellowship invests in people, not just projects—building the skills, confidence, and culture needed to continuously adapt, learn, and improve how humanitarian work is done.

For professionals committed to finding better ways to serve displaced communities, this Fellowship is a powerful platform for growth and impact.

What Challenges Do Fellows Work On?

Fellows focus on real operational or strategic challenges they encounter in their work. Recent Fellowship projects (2023–2024) addressed areas such as:

• Protection and inclusion

• Refugee participation in decision-making

• Sustainable and eco-friendly shelter solutions

• Food security and livelihoods

• Countering negative narratives about refugees

• Cultural heritage and community-led approaches

Applicants do not need a fully formed idea. Fellows bring a challenge or area of curiosity and develop solutions throughout the Fellowship.

What You Will Gain

Participants in the UNHCR Innovation Fellowship receive:

• Hands-on training in innovation methods and tools

• Practical experience in problem solving, ideation, and experimentation

• Peer learning with a global cohort of Fellows

• Support from the UNHCR Innovation team

• Skills to embed innovation into daily work and long-term strategy

The Fellowship focuses on mindset and culture change, not just tools or technology.

Who Can Apply?

The Fellowship is open to:

• UNHCR colleagues (Headquarters or Operations, any region, any level)

• Members of partner organizations, including:

  • All UN agencies

  • NGOs and partners of UN agencies

You do not need an “innovator” title or prior innovation experience. Managerial approval is required to participate in the learning journey.

Application Process

The application is designed to be reflective and engaging, combining short written responses and a video submission. There are no right or wrong answers—reviewers focus on motivation, self-awareness, and willingness to try new approaches.

Each application is reviewed by two to three members of the UNHCR Innovation team.

Information Sessions (Optional but Recommended)

Applicants can learn more about eligibility, expectations, and the application process by joining one of the official information sessions:

• 17 February 2026 – 10:00 CET

• 17 February 2026 – 16:00 CET

Details and access are available on the Fellowship application page.

How to Apply

• Apply here

• FAQs

Apply deadline: 2 March 2026

Questions or Support

For further enquiries about the Fellowship, contact the UNHCR Innovation Learning team:

• Email: hqinnlearn@unhcr.org

Click here for more information about the UNHCR Innovation Fellowship 2026.

Discover more fellowship opportunities here.