UN OHCHR Fellowship Programme for People of African Descent 2026

📖 About the Programme

The Fellowship Programme for People of African Descent is an intensive human rights training designed for individuals of African descent from the diaspora. It aims to empower participants who are actively engaged in promoting the rights of people of African descent.

Sponsor Organisation

• United Nations Human Rights

🎁 Benefits

Participants of the programme will:

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

✅ Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the programme, candidates must meet the following requirements:

• Be an individual of African descent living in the diaspora.
• Have a minimum of 4 years of work experience related to the rights of people of African descent.
• Submit an official letter from an organization working on issues related to people of African descent or minority rights, certifying the candidate’s role within the organization (on official letterhead).
• Be available to attend the full duration of the programme and actively participate in all activities.

📝 Application Date and Process

Language

Applications can be submitted in English or Spanish.

Required Documents

Applicants must submit the following documents in one single email to ohchr-africandescentfellowship@un.org:

1. Curriculum Vitae
2. A completed, signed, and scanned Application Form (available here).
3. A personal statement (maximum 500 words) explaining the candidate’s motivation for applying and how they will use the knowledge gained to promote the interests and rights of people of African descent.
4. An official letter from an organization working on issues related to people of African descent or other related issues, certifying the candidate’s role within the organization (on official letterhead).
5. A copy of the applicant's passport.

Note: Submissions with more than five attachments will not be accepted.

📅 Application Deadline

15 May, 2026

📌 Additional Information

For more details about the programme, visit the official UN OHCHR Fellowship Programme for People of African Descent.

To apply, download the Application Form.

This opportunity is a unique chance to contribute to the advancement of human rights for people of African descent while gaining invaluable knowledge and experience. Don't miss the deadline!

• 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.
• Engage with the international human rights mechanisms and OHCHR and strengthen skills in developing project proposals and delivering presentations.