The Indigenous Fellowship Programme was launched in 1997 by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in the context of the first International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People. The programme aims to give indigenous persons the opportunity to gain knowledge about the UN system and mechanisms dealing with human rights issues in general and indigenous issues in particular. Trained participants are better equipped to assist their organisations and communities in protecting and promoting their rights. This training programme is available in 4 languages: English, Spanish, French and Portuguese.

Applications are solicited for the OHCHR Indigenous Fellowship 2026 in Switzerland. All international applicants are invited to apply for this global fellowship program. If you are an indigenous individual seeking to enhance your comprehension of international human rights and acquire practical experience at the United Nations, this internship is an exceptional opportunity to shape your future and empower your community.

The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has officially commenced applications for its Indigenous Fellowship Program (IFP) 2026, which will offer a unique four-week training session in Geneva. This enduring initiative engages indigenous leaders, activists, and community representatives to acquire knowledge about UN institutions and to proficiently fight for the rights of indigenous peoples globally. Participants from all four linguistic components of the program undergo training together in Geneva for four weeks, utilizing simultaneous interpretation. The training program is typically conducted alongside the annual session of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which occurs in June or July each year, enabling fellows to participate more actively in that mechanism.

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) established the Indigenous Fellowship Programme in 1997, coinciding with the first International Decade of Indigenous Peoples. The program aims to educate indigenous individuals about the United Nations system and its processes related to human rights, with a specific focus on indigenous issues. Trained participants are more proficient in assisting their organizations and communities in protecting and advancing their rights. This training session is available in four languages: English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese.

OHCHR Indigenous Fellowship Program 2026 Details:

Financial Benefits of the OHCHR Indigenous Fellowship Program 2026:

Successful fellows will get a fully financed package, which includes:

• Return international airfare to Geneva, Switzerland
• Living expenditures throughout the whole four-week program.
• Basic health insurance while attending the training
• The fellowship, which is normally held in June or July, brings together selected applicants from around the world to engage with the UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples through simultaneous interpretation in four languages: English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese.

Eligibility Criteria for the OHCHR Indigenous Fellowship Program 2026:

To be considered for the OHCHR Indigenous Fellowship Program 2026, international students should:

• The nominee must be indigenous. Non-indigenous people will not be considered, even if they have significant relationships to indigenous communities and/or organizations.
• Indigenous candidates, especially women, LGBTQI+ people, and those with impairments, are highly urged to apply.
• Age should not be a barrier to participating in the program.
• Given the socioeconomic hurdles that many indigenous peoples face, formal education should not be a barrier to participation in the IFP.
• Candidates should agree to train other Indigenous people once they return to their respective communities/organizations.
• The candidate should be sponsored and supported by his/her indigenous organization and community. The sponsoring group should have a strong constituency or membership and be representative.
• The candidate should have a solid understanding of the language in which the training is delivered.

Application Deadline for the OHCHR Indigenous Fellowship Program 2026:

The last date to apply for the OHCHR Indigenous Fellowship Program 2026 in Switzerland for international students is 15th September 2025.

What is the process for applying to the OHCHR Indigenous Fellowship Program 2026?

1. We strongly advise you to submit your online application far ahead of the deadline.
2. Fellowship applications will only be considered if they are fully completed. Parts I and II of the application form must be completed.
3. The application form must contain an official endorsement letter from the nominating Indigenous group or community.
4. Applicants should input their recommendation letters directly into the online application form.

Selection Process for the OHCHR Indigenous Fellowship Program 2026:

• The selection of fellows takes into account gender, regional, and community representation.
• The overall human rights status in the relevant regions/countries is also taken into account.
• Previous indigenous fellows pre-select 15 to 20 candidates for each language group.
• The selection process also includes interviews with preselected individuals who apply to either the English, French, Spanish, or Portuguese language components of the program.
• An advisory group made up of OHCHR officials reviews the final selection of successful candidates.
• We only contact pre-selected candidates due to the overwhelming volume of applications.