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The UN Human Rights fellowship programmes provide selected individuals an intensive learning opportunity about international human rights mechanisms and standards. We administer six programmes, aimed at strengthening the capacity of particular groups or individuals in their work in the field of human rights.

Overview of our fellowship programmes

Fellowship Programme for people of African descent
The Fellowship programme for people of African descent is a three-week comprehensive human rights training for people of African descent from the diaspora, who are engaged in promoting the rights of people of African descent.

Recipients: People of African descent

Indigenous Fellowship Programme
The Indigenous Fellowship Programme is a comprehensive human rights training programme designed to build the capacity and expertise of indigenous representatives on the UN system and mechanisms dealing with human rights in general and indigenous issues in particular.

Recipients: Indigenous peoples

Trust Fund to Support the Participation of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the work of the Human Rights Council
As part of its scope, this Fund supports a fellowship programme for government officials from LDCs/SIDS, who undertake three-month work placements relating to the work of the Human Rights Council.

Recipients: Government officials from LDCs/SIDS

Minorities Fellowship Programme
The Minorities Fellowship Programme is a comprehensive training programme for human rights and minority rights defenders belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities.

Recipients: Human rights and minority rights defenders belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities.
 

Fellowship Programme of the OHCHR Humanitarian Funds
This long-term Fellowship programme gives members of civil society organizations the opportunity to gain first-hand experience with the UN human rights system. In particular, organizations get involved in managing grants for the Fund for Victims of Torture and the Fund on Contemporary Forms of Slavery.

Recipients: Staff members and affiliated members of human rights organizations with extensive knowledge and working experience on human rights issues, in particular in relation to torture and/or contemporary forms of slavery.
 

Staff of national human rights institutions
The Fellowship programme gives staff members of national human rights institutions from all over the world a better understanding and appreciation of the international human rights system.

Recipients: Staff members of “A” status national human rights institutions
 

Staff of Regional Human Rights Mechanisms
The Fellowship programme gives staff members of Regional Human Rights Mechanisms the opportunity to gain first-hand experience, knowledge and skills in relation to interacting with international human rights mechanisms.

Recipients: Staff members of regional human rights mechanisms
 

LGBTI Fellowship
The Fellowship programme gives the selected lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or intersex activist hands on experience within the United Nations human rights system, and an opportunity to transfer this knowledge once back in their home country. It is developed under the strategic direction and commitment of the Office to have a more gender-diverse and inclusive workforce.

Recipients: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or intersex activists