APPLY NOW: UNHCR Refugee-led Innovation Fund 2025 for refugee-led organizations
APPLY NOW: UNHCR Refugee-led Innovation Fund 2025 for refugee-led organizations
How to apply
Each year, we launch a new call for applications inviting organizations to submit a proposal through this online platform. In their proposal, organizations should outline the challenge they aim to address, their proposed solution, a budget, and the changes they expect to see in their communities as a result of their project. In 2025, applications are open until August 22.
These proposals go through a four-phase selection process:
1) Proposal longlisting: The Innovation Service reviews all submissions and identifies a longlist of promising applications.
2) Vetting and due diligence: Longlisted organizations undergo a thorough vetting and due diligence process to confirm their eligibility. Part of this process involves verifying that each organization’s leadership comprises at least 50% individuals with lived experience of forced displacement or statelessness. Supporting documentation must be provided to verify this. Failure to meet this requirement or to provide the necessary documentation will result in disqualification from the application process.
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3) Pitch your idea: Organizations that pass the vetting and due diligence process will be invited to pitch their ideas to a selection committee composed of members of the UNHCR Innovation Service, as well as representatives from the relevant UNHCR Country Operations and Regional Bureaus. This is an opportunity for organizations to expand on their submitted proposal and engage in a conversation about their idea. Organizations that successfully defend their idea will be shortlisted and move to the final phase of the selection process.
4) Final selection: Shortlisted proposals are reviewed by the Fund’s Steering Committee, which is composed of forcibly displaced and stateless individuals, representatives of relevant UNHCR units at the global level, and, where feasible, donor representatives. The Steering Committee will select the most promising ideas to be endorsed by the Fund.
Please note that this four-phase process takes several months to complete. It is also worth mentioning that this is a Fund dedicated to supporting innovation. As such, initiatives proposed must represent a novel approach to address an existing challenge in your community to be considered for support.
CLOSING DATE: 22 AUGUST 2025
