FULLY FUNDED TO GENEVA : Apply for the OHCHR Minorities Fellowship Program 2026
Applications are open for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) 2026 Minorities Fellowship Program, an initiative designed to strengthen the capacities of human rights defenders who belong to national, ethnic, linguistic, or religious minority communities.
About the Program
Since its launch in 2005, this fellowship has served as one of OHCHR’s most in-depth training pathways for minority rights advocates. Over the course of the program, participants gain a solid grounding in:
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how the United Nations system functions,
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the international human rights framework,
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and the key mechanisms that safeguard minority rights.
Beyond training, the fellowship also offers an important chance to build lasting networks with other minority rights activists, UN experts, and civil society organizations based in Geneva.
The programme is delivered in three languages — English, Russian, and Arabic — and takes place in Geneva, Switzerland.
The overarching aim is for fellows to return home with stronger skills in human rights advocacy and apply them inside their communities or organizations.
Selection Process
Fellows are chosen with consideration for gender balance and geographic representation. The selection panel also evaluates the broader human rights landscape in the applicant’s region and the specific situation of the minority group they represent.
A group of former fellows conducts the first review, shortlisting 15–20 candidates for each language track. Shortlisted applicants are invited to interviews, after which final selections are made by an OHCHR advisory team.
Due to the volume of applications, only those selected for the fellowship will be contacted.
The programme is generally held each November, including a week-long preparatory training in Strasbourg, France.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their materials well ahead of the deadline.
Don't miss out on the application deadline which is 31 January 2026 (23:59 Geneva time).
Scroll down for more details and click on the official link attached below to apply for this opportunity.
Additional Information
- basic health coverage for the duration of the programme, and
- a stipend intended to cover modest accommodation and daily expenses.
- Applicants from Indigenous Peoples should apply to the separate Indigenous Fellowship Programme.
There is no formal education requirement, provided applicants can demonstrate relevant experience and a commitment to supporting minority rights. Candidates must also:
- be able to train or support others within their community after completing the fellowship,
- speak and understand the language used in the training, and
- be formally supported or nominated by their community or an organization connected to the minority group.
Ideally, the recommending organization:
- has a membership base rooted in the minority community,
- focuses on issues affecting that community, and
- includes minority members within its structure.
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