Deadline: 12-Jul-2026
The UNHCR Innovation Accelerator supports proven humanitarian innovations that are ready to move from pilot stage to large-scale implementation. It focuses on improving protection, inclusion, and assistance for refugees, stateless persons, and forcibly displaced populations worldwide.
The programme provides funding, technical support, partnerships, and scaling assistance to help successful innovations achieve system-level impact across humanitarian ecosystems.
Overview of the UNHCR Innovation Accelerator
The UNHCR Innovation Accelerator is a global initiative designed to help humanitarian innovations transition from small-scale pilots to sustainable, system-wide solutions.
It supports innovations that have already demonstrated:
- Proof of concept
- Operational testing
- Real-world impact
- Early-stage scalability potential
The programme is focused on accelerating solutions that improve humanitarian outcomes for displaced and stateless populations.
Core Objective
The main goal of the Accelerator is to:
- Scale proven humanitarian innovations
- Improve protection and inclusion outcomes
- Strengthen refugee and stateless support systems
- Enable sustainable humanitarian solutions
- Promote cross-sector collaboration
Key Focus Areas
Humanitarian Innovation Scaling
- Expansion of proven pilot projects
- Transition from experimentation to system adoption
- Replication across countries and contexts
- Institutional integration of solutions
Protection and Inclusion
- Strengthening refugee protection systems
- Improving services for stateless populations
- Enhancing access to essential assistance
- Supporting vulnerable groups in displacement contexts
Refugee-Led and Community Solutions
- Support for refugee-led organizations
- Community-driven innovation models
- Local ownership of humanitarian solutions
- Participatory design and implementation
Cross-Sector Partnerships
- Collaboration between UN agencies
- NGOs and humanitarian actors
- Governments and public institutions
- Private sector and technology partners
- Academic and research institutions
Evidence-Based Humanitarian Action
- Data-driven decision-making
- Impact evaluation and learning systems
- Research-informed scaling strategies
- Continuous performance monitoring
Programme Approach
The Accelerator bridges the gap between pilot projects and large-scale implementation by offering structured support for scaling successful innovations.
It focuses on:
- Validated solutions
- Operational readiness
- Institutional adoption
- Long-term sustainability
Eligibility Criteria
Only initiatives that have already demonstrated real-world implementation are eligible.
Eligible Innovations Must Have:
- Proven concept or pilot stage completion
- Operational testing in real-world environments
- Demonstrated impact or measurable results
- Clear potential for scaling
Not Eligible:
- Early-stage ideas without implementation
- Concept-only proposals without pilot testing
- Theoretical or unvalidated innovations
Types of Eligible Applicants
The programme works with a wide range of actors, including:
- Refugee-led organizations
- NGOs and humanitarian organizations
- UN agencies
- Government institutions
- Academic institutions
- Development organizations
- Private sector partners
Support Provided by the Accelerator
Selected innovations receive a combination of technical, financial, and strategic support:
1. Technical Assistance
- Operational scaling guidance
- Implementation strategy development
- Systems integration support
- Capacity strengthening
2. Catalytic Funding
- Financial support for scaling activities
- Grants aligned with innovation maturity
- Flexible funding for adaptation and expansion
- Funding may reach up to USD 250,000 in exceptional cases
3. Partnership Brokering
- Connection to UN agencies and partners
- Facilitation of cross-sector collaboration
- Support in building implementation ecosystems
4. Evidence and Learning Support
- Impact measurement frameworks
- Data collection and analysis support
- Documentation of best practices
- Learning and knowledge sharing systems
5. Resource Mobilisation
- Support in attracting additional funding
- Investor and donor engagement
- Sustainability planning
Application Process
The Accelerator follows a structured multi-stage selection process:
Step 1: Expression of Interest (EOI)
Applicants submit:
- Evidence of pilot success
- Operational readiness documentation
- Scaling potential description
Step 2: Shortlisting
Selected applicants are invited to develop:
- Full proposals
- Implementation and scaling plans
- Partnership frameworks
Step 3: Proposal Development
Applicants work with UNHCR or partners to refine:
- Institutional arrangements
- Scaling pathways
- Operational models
- Evidence base
Step 4: Final Selection
Projects are evaluated based on:
- Technical review
- Partnership strength
- Scaling feasibility
- Impact potential
Step 5: Pitching Phase
Shortlisted initiatives may present to a steering committee.
Key Selection Criteria
Applications are assessed based on:
Impact and Problem Relevance
- Severity of humanitarian challenge addressed
- Value of proposed solution
Evidence of Effectiveness
- Demonstrated pilot results
- Measurable outcomes
- Real-world validation
Scalability
- Ability to expand across contexts
- Clear scaling strategy
- Operational feasibility
Partnership Strength
- Quality of collaboration ecosystem
- Institutional support structures
- Stakeholder engagement
Sustainability
- Long-term viability
- Institutional ownership
- Resource sustainability planning
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting early-stage or untested ideas
- Weak or missing pilot evidence
- Lack of scaling strategy
- Poorly defined humanitarian impact
- Insufficient partnership framework
- Overestimating readiness for scale
Why This Programme Matters
The UNHCR Innovation Accelerator plays a critical role in transforming humanitarian innovation by:
- Moving successful pilots into system-wide adoption
- Strengthening refugee-led innovation ecosystems
- Improving efficiency and effectiveness of humanitarian response
- Encouraging collaboration across sectors
- Ensuring long-term sustainability of solutions
It helps shift humanitarian innovation from experimentation to large-scale impact.
FAQ
What is the UNHCR Innovation Accelerator?
It is a global programme that supports scaling of proven humanitarian innovations for refugees and stateless populations.
Who can apply?
Refugee-led organizations, NGOs, UN agencies, governments, academia, and private sector partners with proven innovations.
What stage must innovations be at?
They must already have pilot results or proof of concept with operational validation.
What kind of support is provided?
Technical assistance, catalytic funding, partnerships, evidence-building, and resource mobilisation.
How much funding is available?
Up to USD 250,000 in exceptional cases, with smaller grants typically awarded.
What is the main goal?
To scale proven humanitarian innovations into sustainable, system-wide solutions.
Can early-stage ideas apply?
No, only tested and validated innovations are eligible.
Conclusion
The UNHCR Innovation Accelerator is a global scaling platform that transforms proven humanitarian innovations into large-scale, sustainable solutions. By combining funding, partnerships, and technical support, it enables impactful innovations to move beyond pilot phases and deliver measurable benefits for displaced and stateless populations worldwide.
For more information, visit UNHCR.