OHCHR Minorities Fellowship Programme (MFP) 2026: Fully Funded Training Opportunity in Human Rights – Open to All Nationalities!

The Minorities Fellowship Programme (MFP), launched in 2005 by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), is among the most prestigious and complete coaching initiatives devoted to human rights defenders from nationwide, ethnic, non secular, and linguistic minority teams.

Taking place yearly in Geneva, Switzerland, the programme equips minority advocates with the data, instruments, and world networks wanted to defend and promote minority rights inside their communities.

What Is the Minorities Fellowship Programme?

The MFP affords fellows an in-depth understanding of:

• The United Nations system

• International human rights legal guidelines and devices

• Global human rights mechanisms

• Minority rights inside the UN framework

Beyond coaching, the programme gives an distinctive alternative to construct strategic partnerships with activists from around the globe, UN employees, and Geneva-based NGOs.

The programme is delivered in three languages:

What the Fellowship Covers (Fully Funded Benefits)

Selected fellows obtain the next assist:

• Round-trip financial system airfare from their home nation to Geneva

• Basic medical insurance through the programme

• Monthly stipend to cowl modest lodging and residing bills

This makes the MFP a totally funded worldwide alternative for minority rights defenders.

Who Can Apply?

To be eligible, candidates should:

✔ Belong to a nationwide, ethnic, linguistic, or non secular minority group

Applicants who are usually not part of a minority group will not be thought of, even when they work intently with minority communities.

Note: Indigenous candidates ought to apply to the Indigenous Fellowship Programme, which has its personal application course of.

✔ Have related expertise

Formal training is not required, however candidates should show expertise and energetic engagement in minority rights.

✔ Be in a position to practice others

Fellows ought to give you the chance and prepared to share the data gained with their communities upon return.

✔ Have sturdy language abilities

Applicants should be proficient in the language of the programme they apply to (English, Russian, or Arabic).

✔ Be nominated by their group or group

The sponsoring group ought to ideally:

• Represent the pursuits of the minority group

• Have a robust membership inside the group

• Work on minority-related points

• Be composed of minority group members

The final objective is for fellows to return to their communities as empowered advocates, advancing the safety and promotion of minority rights.

Selection Process

The choice course of goals for regional and gender steadiness and takes into consideration:

How Fellows Are Selected

1. Pre-selection:
   A panel of former fellows critiques purposes and shortlists 15–20 candidates per language group.

2. Interviews:
   Pre-selected candidates are invited for interviews.

3. Final Decision:
   An OHCHR advisory group makes the ultimate choice.

Important: Due to the big variety of purposes, solely profitable candidates might be contacted.

Programme Timeline

• The fellowship normally takes place in November every year.

• Includes a one-week preparatory coaching in Strasbourg, France earlier than the Geneva part.

• Total period: Approximately one month.

How to Apply

Application varieties can be found in English,Russian, and Arabic.

Applicants should full each:

In addition, purposes should embrace:

Only totally accomplished purposes might be thought of.

Application Deadline

31 January 2026 at 23:59 (Geneva time)

Applicants are strongly suggested to apply properly earlier than the deadline.

Questions?

For inquiries, contact:
ohchr-fellowship@un.org

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