2027 United Nations OHCHR Indigenous Fellowship Programme
Introduction
The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Indigenous Fellowship Programme provides Indigenous people with an opportunity to develop their understanding of the United Nations system and international human rights mechanisms, particularly those concerning Indigenous peoples.
The four-week fellowship takes place in Geneva, Switzerland, bringing together participants from different language groups for intensive training designed to strengthen their ability to share knowledge with other Indigenous people and contribute more actively to human rights work.
Scholarship Overview
| Country | Switzerland |
|---|---|
| Degree Level | Fellowship |
| Funding Type | Fully Funded — Return Flight, Living Expenses and Basic Health Insurance |
| Deadline | September 6, 2026 |
About the Fellowship
The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Indigenous Fellowship Programme was established in 1997 to help Indigenous people develop a stronger understanding of the United Nations system and international human rights mechanisms concerning Indigenous peoples.
The programme provides intensive training in Geneva over four weeks and uses simultaneous interpretation to accommodate participants from different language groups. Selection considers factors such as gender and regional representation, community diversity and the human rights situation in applicants' regions.
Fellowship Benefits
- Return flight ticket to Switzerland.
- Living expenses for the duration of the training.
- Basic health insurance.
- Four weeks of training in Geneva.
- Training and knowledge of United Nations human rights mechanisms.
- Opportunity to participate more actively in the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
- Exposure to Indigenous representatives and participants from different regions and language groups.
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be an Indigenous person.
- Must be supported and nominated by an Indigenous organisation and/or community.
- The sponsoring organisation should have an established constituency or membership and be representative of the relevant Indigenous community.
- Must agree to share the knowledge and training gained with other Indigenous people after returning to their community or organisation.
- Must have a good working knowledge of the language in which the selected programme component is delivered.
- Formal educational qualifications are not required as a condition of participation.
- Age is not a restriction for participation in the programme.
- Indigenous women, LGBTQI+ individuals and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Required Documents
- Completed fellowship application form, including Parts I and II.
- Official recommendation letter from the nominating Indigenous organisation or community.
- Any additional supporting information requested in the official application form.
How to Apply
- Press the Apply Now button below to access the official scholarship page.
- Confirm that you meet the Indigenous Fellowship Programme eligibility requirements.
- Obtain support and an official recommendation from your Indigenous organisation or community.
- Complete both Parts I and II of the official application form.
- Upload the recommendation letter directly through the online application form.
- Review the application carefully to ensure all required sections are completed.
- Submit the completed application before September 6, 2026.
Source
Scholarix
