Grant opportunity
UNHCR Innovation Accelerator 2026
Accelerator for tested humanitarian innovations ready to scale protection, inclusion and assistance outcomes for forcibly displaced and stateless people.
- Funder
- UNHCR Innovation
- Expression of Interest deadline: 12 July 2026, 11:59 PM CEST
- Expression of Interest deadline: 12 July 2026, 11:59 PM CEST: Jul 12, 2026
- Award
- Catalytic funding; up to USD 250,000 may be available in exceptional cases
- Applicant
- Organizations / consortia
- Discipline
- Humanitarian Innovation & Development
- Region
- Global
- Posted
- Jun 1, 2026
Call summary
Overview
UNHCR Innovation Accelerator helps tested, high-potential innovations move from successful pilot implementation toward sustainable scale and long-term operational impact.
Who can apply
- Expression of Interest is open to organizations with proven concepts supporting forcibly displaced people.
- Full proposals must be led or co-led by either UNHCR teams or refugee-led non-profit organizations.
What it supports
- Scaling tested innovations for protection, inclusion, assistance, self-reliance and humanitarian response.
- Partnerships across UN agencies, NGOs, refugee-led organizations, academia, development actors and private sector are encouraged.
Funding and duration
Selected initiatives may receive catalytic funding, technical guidance, mentoring, partnership brokering, evidence support and access to networks.
Expression of Interest deadline: 12 July 2026, 11:59 PM CEST
Expression of Interest deadline: 12 July 2026, 11:59 PM CEST: Jul 12, 2026
How to apply
Submit the Expression of Interest through the official UNHCR Innovation Accelerator page by 12 July 2026.
Call details
The Expression of Interest form for the Innovation Accelerator goes live on 1 June 2026 at 10:00 CEST. The deadline is 12 July 2026 at 11:59 PM CEST. The Accelerator supports tested innovations with proof of concept and scaling potential, with support that can include catalytic funding, technical support, mentoring, partnership brokering and resource mobilization.
Expression of Interest is open to organizations with proven concepts supporting forcibly displaced people.
Full proposals must be led or co-led by either UNHCR teams or refugee-led non-profit organizations.
Scaling tested innovations for protection, inclusion, assistance, self-reliance and humanitarian response.
Partnerships across UN agencies, NGOs, refugee-led organizations, academia, development actors and private sector are encouraged.
Selected initiatives may receive catalytic funding, technical guidance, mentoring, partnership brokering, evidence support and access to networks.
Expression of Interest deadline: 12 July 2026, 11:59 PM CEST: Expression of Interest deadline: 12 July 2026, 11:59 PM CEST: Jul 12, 2026.
Confirm the exact deadline time, time zone, and submission route on the official call page.
Plan internal approvals, partner confirmations, budgets, letters, and portal submission before the final deadline.
Submit the Expression of Interest through the official UNHCR Innovation Accelerator page by 12 July 2026.
Before submitting, check required documents, eligible costs, attachments, page limits, institutional approvals, and whether the opportunity uses an expression of interest, full proposal, registration, or nomination stage.