UNHCR Innovation Accelerator 2026

The UNHCR Innovation Accelerator, run by the UNHCR Innovation Service, supports proven solutions for displaced populations. With backing from the Government of Luxembourg, the programme works alongside internal and external partners to identify innovations that have moved past the conceptual phase and completed pilot testing. Its purpose is to supply these initiatives with resources and strategic direction so they can move towards sustainable, large-scale use, increasing their long-term impact on refugees, internally displaced persons, and stateless people. The accelerator fits within UNHCR’s wider innovation framework, concentrating on solutions that have already shown a clear proof of concept and are ready for broader application.

The programme tackles urgent humanitarian issues facing forcibly displaced communities by strengthening innovative organisations and their work. It recognises that meaningful innovation depends on more than initial trials—it requires dedicated support for growth, partnerships, and solid evidence. By prioritising scale, the accelerator helps successful approaches reach more beneficiaries and drive systemic improvements in aid and protection. The end goal is lasting, positive change in the lives and livelihoods of those affected by displacement and statelessness, building resilience and self-reliance.

Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the official UNHCR Innovation Service grant platform. The form should clearly demonstrate that your innovation has a proven concept and a successful pilot.

The UNHCR Innovation Service will then assess all EOIs against programme objectives, evidence of impact, and preparedness for scaling.

Organisations shortlisted at this stage will be asked to provide a full proposal. At this point, the project must be led by, or submitted jointly with, a UNHCR team or a refugee-led organisation.

Finally, successful applicants are chosen to join the accelerator cohort and complete an onboarding process to agree on goals and the support they will receive.

The evaluation for the UNHCR Innovation Accelerator is carried out in phases. First, Expressions of Interest (EOIs) are reviewed to filter out ideas that have already progressed past the concept stage into a working pilot, with clear signs they can be scaled up sustainably. This initial check is handled by the UNHCR Innovation Service team along with key internal partners, looking at how well the project fits UNHCR’s mandate, what it could mean for displaced populations, and whether the organisation has the capacity to deliver it.

Those who pass this stage are asked to submit detailed full proposals. A dedicated selection committee—made up of experts from UNHCR, partner bodies, and outside stakeholders—then carries out a more thorough assessment. This could involve interviews or presentations to test the innovation’s practicality, potential for growth, and lasting effect. In the end, preference goes to projects with solid proof of impact, a clear route to wider use, and strong chances for collaboration, especially ones led by UNHCR teams or refugee-run organisations.