UNHCR’s Innovation Service is committed to creating an enabling environment for innovation to flourish in UNHCR. We equip staff with the knowledge, resources, and skills to ensure that they can create value for people forced to flee with novel ideas.
We incentivize innovation through funding and technical support and by creating an enabling environment for experimentation to take place across the organization. We innovate to deliver UNHCR’s mandate more effectively.
Our Funds
The Innovation Service offers four Innovation Funds to accelerate innovation that makes a difference for people forced to flee. All four funds are currently open to applications! Discover more and apply below.
Digital Innovation Fund
Digital rights and opportunities for displaced communities. Fund open now to UNHCR teams.
Data Innovation Fund
Data can shape the future of refugee protection. Fund open now to UNHCR teams.
Environment and Climate Action Innovation Fund
Innovation at the nexus of environment, climate, and displacement. Fund open now to UNHCR teams.
Refugee-led Innovation Fund
Championing the creativity of all displaced and stateless people. Fund open now to refugee-led organizations.
Stories
The Innovation Service’s blog brings you a transparent look at what humanitarian innovation with and for refugees looks like in practice.
-
Loading Posts
FAQs
Am I eligible to apply for the Funds run by the Innovation Service?
For the eligibility criteria of the Innovation Service’s Funds and Programmes, please click on the relevant link below:
Can you support my idea?
If you’re a UNHCR colleague or a member of a refugee-led organization, you may be able to secure support for your idea through our Innovation Funds. We do not currently offer other funding opportunities, but you could explore partnering with UNHCR through local offices. Get in touch with your local UNHCR office directly or, if your idea is not specific to a country, feel free to contact us with a summary of your idea and the challenge it seeks to address.
Do you have any job openings?
All our job and internship opportunities are posted on the UNHCR Careers page and ReliefWeb when available. We do not accept volunteers, but you should check out UN Volunteers.
Can you support my thesis, academic studies or research?
We love that you’re interested in humanitarian innovation! However, we can’t financially support your studies. If you’re working on a thesis related to humanitarian innovation, do get in touch. Note, though, that we are not able to provide confidential data for academic purposes. Data made public by UNHCR may be found here.