The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is currently accepting applications for the 2026 cycle of its Indigenous Fellowship Programme. First introduced in 1997 during the International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People, this initiative was created to empower indigenous individuals by deepening their understanding of the United Nations system, particularly in the realm of human rights and the rights of indigenous peoples. Participants who complete the programme return better equipped to support their communities and organizations in defending and advancing their collective and individual rights.

The fellowship brings together individuals from all four linguistic groups in the programme for a comprehensive, four-week training experience in Geneva. This training is conducted with real-time interpretation services, making it accessible to participants regardless of their primary language. The schedule typically overlaps with the annual meeting of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, held around June or July, giving fellows the valuable opportunity to engage with this forum more meaningfully.

This opportunity is specifically for individuals who identify as indigenous. Applications from indigenous women and persons with disabilities are highly welcomed. Applicants are not required to have formal academic qualifications, acknowledging the many challenges indigenous communities face in accessing traditional educational systems. However, applicants should be capable of communicating effectively in the language in which the programme is delivered.

Prospective fellows must also be committed to sharing the knowledge and skills they gain by training other members of their communities or organizations upon their return. To be considered, a candidate must be nominated and endorsed by an indigenous group or community, ideally one that has a solid base of members and a record of representing indigenous interests.

Fellows selected for the programme will receive full support during their stay, including round-trip airfare, accommodation allowances, and basic health insurance for the duration of their training. This initiative not only builds capacity among indigenous advocates but also fosters a global network of leaders who can influence policy and promote justice for indigenous peoples worldwide.

Scroll down for more details and click on the official link attached below to apply for this opportunity