OFFICE OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS (OHCHR)
OHCHR Indigenous Fellowship Programme
full · masters
- Fully fundedFunding level
- Launched 1997Programme history
- 4 language streamsEnglish, Spanish, French, Portuguese
- 15–20 per language groupCohort size
- All countriesOpen to indigenous worldwide
- ~CHF 0 cost to fellow (est.)No participation fee
At a glance
full
Funding
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Max amount
Sep 15, 2026
Deadline
All countries (indigenous individuals worldwide)
Country
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
Provider
The OHCHR Indigenous Fellowship Programme is a fully funded, non-degree professional training programme run by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva, Switzerland. Launched in 1997, it strengthens the capacity of indigenous leaders and activists by training them in international human rights standards, UN procedures, and the mechanisms that protect indigenous peoples' rights. Training is delivered in 4 language streams — English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese — with simultaneous interpretation, and each language group typically takes 15 to 20 participants. The programme coincides with the sessions of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP), giving fellows direct engagement with UN bodies. As a fully funded fellowship it covers round-trip international airfare, accommodation, a daily living allowance, and basic health insurance. The fellowship is open to indigenous people from all countries with no age limit and no formal education requirement; applicants must be nominated by an indigenous organisation. Because dates, allowances, and the exact programme length are set each year, confirm the current-cycle figures and deadline on the official OHCHR Indigenous Fellowship page before you apply.
What's covered
- International airfare — Round-trip international economy airfare between the fellow's home country and Geneva, Switzerland.
- Accommodation — Accommodation in Geneva for the full duration of the training programme.
- Living allowance — A daily subsistence allowance to cover meals and incidental costs in Geneva, a city with a high cost of living (estimated at ~CHF 100/day (est.)).
- Health insurance — Basic health insurance coverage for the duration of the fellowship.
- UN access — Participation in UN events including the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP).
- No participation fee — The fellowship is fully funded; there is no tuition or participation fee (~CHF 0 (est.)) charged to the fellow.
How to apply
Applications are made by completing the official OHCHR online application form (Parts I and II) and submitting an organisational nomination letter.
- Read the official call — Review the current-cycle announcement on the OHCHR Indigenous Fellowship page to confirm the language streams, dates, and deadline.
- Secure a nomination — Obtain a recommendation/nomination letter from your indigenous organisation or community; this is mandatory.
- Complete the application form — Fill out Part I and Part II of the official online application form accurately; incomplete applications are not considered.
- Upload supporting documents — Attach the nomination letter and any other documents requested in the call.
- Submit before the deadline — Submit the full application by the published deadline; early submission is encouraged given the selection process.
Eligibility
Indigenous identityMust self-identify as indigenous and be recognised as such by their community.
Community endorsementMust be nominated and supported by an indigenous organisation or community via a recommendation letter.
LanguageGood working knowledge of at least one programme language: English, Spanish, French, or Portuguese.
AdvocacyActively engaged in community work or indigenous rights advocacy, with a commitment to train other indigenous people afterwards.
There are no age or formal education requirements. Indigenous women, LGBTQI+ individuals, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Eligible countries
All countries (indigenous individuals worldwide)
Deadlines
2026 programme cycle~15 September 2025 (est.)
Selection
Selection is designed to ensure diversity in gender, region, and indigenous communities. An initial screening is carried out by past fellows for each of the four language groups (15–20 participants each), shortlisted candidates are interviewed, and final selection is made by the OHCHR advisory board on the basis of merit, representation, and potential impact.
Verified sources
- OHCHR — Indigenous Fellowship Programmeohchr.orgofficial
About the provider
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), headquartered in Geneva, is the UN entity mandated to promote and protect human rights worldwide. It has run the Indigenous Fellowship Programme since 1997 to build the capacity of indigenous advocates.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
Who can apply for the OHCHR Indigenous Fellowship Programme?
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Indigenous individuals from any country who are active in advocacy or community work and are nominated by an indigenous organisation.
Is the fellowship open to non-indigenous applicants?
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No. Only applicants who self-identify as indigenous and are recognised by their communities are eligible.
Do I need a university degree to apply?
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No. There are no formal education requirements; advocacy experience and community commitment matter most.
Can I apply if I am not fluent in English?
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Yes, if you have a good working knowledge of any one of the four programme languages: English, Spanish, French, or Portuguese.
Is there an age limit?
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No. There is no age limit and youth involvement is encouraged.
Are LGBTQI+ and disabled indigenous persons encouraged to apply?
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Yes. The programme strongly supports inclusive participation by indigenous women, LGBTQI+ individuals, and persons with disabilities.
How long is the fellowship?
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The exact duration is announced each year; it typically runs for a few weeks in Geneva and includes participation in UN mechanisms.
Is travel and accommodation covered?
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Yes. The fellowship is fully funded, including round-trip airfare, accommodation, a living allowance, and basic health insurance.
Can I apply without an organisational recommendation?
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No. A nomination letter from your indigenous organisation or community is mandatory.
When will selected candidates be notified?
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Only shortlisted candidates are contacted after the initial screening, ahead of the 2026 programme.
Where does the programme take place?
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At UN venues and partner institutions in Geneva, Switzerland, under OHCHR supervision.
When is the application deadline?
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The deadline is around 15 September 2025 (est.); confirm the current-cycle date on the official OHCHR page.