OHCHR Indigenous Fellowship Program 2027 in Switzerland

OHCHR Indigenous Fellowship Program 2027 in Switzerland (Fully Funded)

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The OHCHR Indigenous Fellowship Program 2027 is now accepting applications from indigenous people around the world who want to strengthen their knowledge of human rights and the United Nations system. The fellowship is organized by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and will take place in Geneva, Switzerland. It is a fully funded international fellowship that covers travel, living expenses, and health insurance during the training.

The OHCHR Indigenous Fellowship Program was launched in 1997 to help indigenous participants understand how the United Nations works on human rights and indigenous issues. After completing the programme, fellows are expected to use the knowledge they gain to support and promote the rights of indigenous peoples in their own communities and organizations. The training is available in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese.

The fellowship brings together participants from different regions of the world for a four-week training programme in Geneva. The training usually takes place during the annual session of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP), allowing fellows to observe and participate in discussions related to indigenous rights. Applications for the OHCHR Indigenous Fellowship Program 2027 are open until 6 September 2026.

OHCHR Indigenous Fellowship Program 2027 Summary

  • Host Organization: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
  • Programme Location: Geneva, Switzerland
  • Programme Duration: 4 weeks
  • Training Languages: English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese
  • Eligible Applicants: Indigenous people worldwide
  • Benefits: Fully funded
  • Application Deadline: 6 September 2026 (23:59 Geneva time)

Also Check: Commonwealth Startup Fellowships 2026-2027 in UK

Financial Benefits

Selected fellows will receive the following support during the programme:

  • Return international airfare
  • Living expenses throughout the training
  • Basic health insurance for the duration of the fellowship

Also Check: Yale Peace Fellowship 2027 in USA and UK

OHCHR Indigenous Fellowship Program 2027 Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the fellowship, applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • Must be an indigenous person. Non-indigenous applicants are not eligible.
  • Must be nominated and supported by an indigenous organization or community.
  • The sponsoring organization or community should represent its members and have an established constituency.
  • Must have a good working knowledge of the language selected for the training programme.
  • Must agree to share the knowledge and experience gained with other indigenous people after returning to their community or organization.
  • There is no age limit for applicants.
  • Formal education is not required, recognizing that many indigenous communities face barriers to higher education.

OHCHR also encourages applications from:

  • Indigenous women
  • Indigenous LGBTQI+ individuals
  • Indigenous persons with disabilities

Selection Process

The fellowship selection process includes several stages:

  • Former indigenous fellows conduct the initial pre-selection of approximately 15 to 20 candidates for each language group.
  • Pre-selected candidates are invited for interviews.
  • An advisory group made up of OHCHR staff reviews the final selection.
  • The final group of fellows is selected based on regional balance, gender balance, representation of different indigenous communities, and the human rights situation in different regions.
  • Only pre-selected applicants will be contacted.

Required Documents

Applicants should prepare the following documents:

  • Completed online application form
  • Official recommendation letter from the nominating indigenous organization or community
  • Any additional information requested in the online application system

The recommendation letter must be uploaded directly through the online application form.

How to Apply for the OHCHR Indigenous Fellowship Program 2027

Applicants must complete the official online application form before the deadline. Both Part I and Part II of the application must be completed, and the recommendation letter from the indigenous organization or community must be uploaded during the application process.

It is recommended to submit the application well before the closing date to avoid technical issues.

Application Deadline

The last date to apply for the OHCHR Indigenous Fellowship Program 2027 is 6 September 2026 (23:59 Geneva time).

Official Link to Apply

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