UN Human Rights Commission Fellowship Programme 2026 for People of African Descent (Fully Funded to Geneva, Switzerland)

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Application Deadline: 15 May 2026

Applications are now open for the 2026 UN Human Rights Commission Fellowship Programme. The Fellowship programme for people of African descent is an intensive human rights training for people of African descent, from the diaspora, who are engaged in promoting the rights of people of African descent.

It takes place once a year at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Geneva.

The Fellowship programme provides the participants with the opportunity to:

• Engage with the international human rights mechanisms and OHCHR and strengthen skills in developing project proposals and delivering presentations.
• Learn about and deepen their understanding of international human rights law and the UN human rights system, international frameworks to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, and intersecting issues with a focus on people of African descent.
• Gain first-hand exposure to international human rights mechanisms and OHCHR.

Purpose of the programme

The aim is to strengthen participants’ skills to contribute to the promotion and protection of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of people of African descent in their respective countries. The participants are equipped with the tools necessary to: ensure the development of legislation, policies and programmes aligns with international human rights standards; strengthen collaboration of civil society with governments; and undertake local awareness-raising and advocacy activities.

Requirements

The candidate must be an individual of African descent living in the diaspora.

• The candidate must have a minimum of 4 years of work experience related to the rights of people of African descent.
• The candidate should submit an official letter from an organization working on issues related to people of African descent or minority rights – on official letterhead – certifying the candidate’s role within the organization.
• The candidates must be available to attend the full duration of the programme. The selected fellows will be expected to participate in different activities and to strictly follow the programme.

Dates of the Fellowship

• The Fellowship will be held from 9 to 27 November 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland. The programme will be delivered in English and Spanish.
• In addition, fellows are expected to dedicate a few hours to pre-online courses and preparatory assignments in the preceding two weeks. 

Benefits

• Each fellow is entitled to a return ticket (economy class) from the country of residence to Geneva; basic health insurance; and a stipend to cover modest accommodation and other living expenses for the duration of the Programme.

How to apply

Applications can be submitted in English and Spanish.

Applicants are requested to submit the following documents in one single e-mail to [email protected]:

• A Curriculum Vitae
• A completed, signed and scanned Application Form in one single document.
• A personal statement (maximum 500 words) in which the candidate will explain their motivation for applying, and how they will use the knowledge gained from the fellowship to promote the interests and rights of people of African descent.
• An official letter from an organisation working on issues related to people of African descent or other related issues – on official letterhead – certifying the candidate’s role within the organization.
• A copy of the applicant’s passport.
• Please note that submissions with more than five attachments will not be accepted.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the UN Human Rights Commission Fellowship Programme