About this opportunity
The United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples, administered by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, has opened its call for representatives of Indigenous Peoples to attend two of the United Nations’ standing indigenous rights mechanisms. Selected participants join the 26th session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, held 10 to 21 May 2027 in New York, and the 20th session of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, held 12 to 16 July 2027 in Geneva.
The call is open to Indigenous individuals and representatives of Indigenous Peoples’ organizations from every region, with no nationality or country restriction stated, so applicants from Nigeria and across Africa who meet the engagement criteria are welcome. The Fund asks for people who are actively engaged in promoting and protecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples, who can show how their participation will strengthen advocacy back home, and who genuinely need financial support to attend. Indigenous persons with disabilities and Indigenous 2SLGBTQ+ persons are particularly encouraged to apply.
For those selected, the support is comprehensive: the Fund arranges travel and provides a stipend covering travel, accommodation and related expenses in line with United Nations rules and procedures. Applicants complete the official United Nations application form online and upload a recent curriculum vitae, a copy of their passport and a letter of recommendation from the Indigenous organization, community or non-profit institution they represent. There is no prescribed template for the recommendation letter, and applications sent by email are not considered.
The closing date is 8 November 2026 at 23:59 Geneva time, and late or incomplete applications will not be considered. Applications are assessed on representation, relevance to the human rights issues affecting Indigenous Peoples, the potential impact of participation, previous engagement and preparedness, and financial need. Because of the volume of applications, the Secretariat does not answer individual inquiries about outcomes; only selected candidates are contacted.
What you receive
- Fully covered travel arrangements to the meetings in New York and Geneva
- A stipend covering accommodation and related expenses during the sessions
- Participation in the 26th session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, 10 to 21 May 2027
- Participation in the 20th session of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, 12 to 16 July 2027
- A platform to bring community priorities directly into United Nations human rights processes
Who can apply
- Open to Indigenous individuals and representatives of Indigenous Peoples’ organizations worldwide, with no nationality or country restriction stated on the provider page
- Actively engaged in the promotion and protection of the rights of Indigenous Peoples
- Able to demonstrate how participation will contribute to advocacy efforts on behalf of their communities and organizations
- Requiring financial support to cover travel, accommodation and related expenses
- Indigenous persons with disabilities and Indigenous 2SLGBTQ+ persons are particularly encouraged to apply
Who should not apply
- Applications submitted by email are not considered
- Late or incomplete applications will not be considered
- Applicants should not be relying on this route where alternative funding for attendance is already available, since financial need is a stated selection criterion
Documents to prepare
- A recent curriculum vitae
- A copy of the applicant’s passport
- A letter of recommendation from the Indigenous organization, community, non-governmental or non-profit institution the applicant represents, in any format
How to apply
- Open the official United Nations application form for the call at https://survey.ohchr.org/956359?lang=en (also offered in Spanish and French on the provider page).
- Complete the form with your details, your engagement with Indigenous Peoples’ rights and how participation will support your community.
- Upload a recent curriculum vitae, a copy of your passport and a letter of recommendation from the organization or community you represent.
- Submit before 8 November 2026 at 23:59 Geneva time. Late or incomplete applications are not considered, and email submissions are not accepted.
- Watch for a response from the Secretariat. Only selected candidates are contacted.
Selection process
- Representation: priority for candidates with a clear mandate from their communities or organizations
- Relevance: demonstrated engagement in human rights issues affecting Indigenous Peoples
- Impact: potential for participation to strengthen advocacy and policy influence at national, regional or international level
- Previous engagement and preparedness in advocacy processes, consultations, caucuses or submissions
- Need: financial need and lack of alternative sources of funding
Sources and verification
Related opportunities
- UN Human Rights Officer Roster Vacancies at the P3, P4 and P5 Levels with OHCHR
The United Nations Secretariat is building rosters of qualified Human Rights Officers at the P3, P4 and P5 levels for OHCHR, its regional and country presences and peacekeeping operations. Professionals of any UN member state nationality may apply for the level that matches their experience before 30 October 2026.
- Atlantic Fellows for Social and Economic Equity 2027/2028, a Funded LSE Fellowship for Experienced Change Leaders
AFSEE is a funded fellowship for mid-career leaders who have spent at least seven years challenging social and economic inequality. The 2027/2028 cohort offers a Residential year in London with the MSc in Inequalities and Social Science, or a Non-Residential year pursuing a project from your own country. Applications close at 5 pm UK time on 11 January 2027.
Questions applicants ask
Can Nigerians and other Africans apply?
Yes. The provider page states no nationality or country restriction, so Indigenous individuals and organization representatives from any region, including Nigeria and across Africa, may apply if they meet the engagement criteria.
What does the Fund cover?
Selected participants receive a travel arrangement and a stipend covering travel, accommodation and related expenses, in accordance with United Nations rules and procedures.
When do applications close?
The form closes on 8 November 2026 at 23:59 Geneva time. Late or incomplete applications are not considered and email submissions are not accepted.
Is there a fee or a prescribed recommendation letter format?
Applying is free, and there is no official template for the recommendation letter. Applicants may use a format of their choice.
Important disclaimer
Nextali researches and curates useful opportunities to make discovery easier. Before applying, verify every timeline, requirement, fee and application link on the official provider website. Do your own research into the organisation, its background and the authenticity of the offer. Nextali does not guarantee selection, funding or the conduct of third party providers.
