innovation@unhcr.org

Digital Innovation Fund | Incubator

The Digital Innovation Fund supports UNHCR colleagues to explore, test, and pilot innovative solutions co-created with communities that responsibly leverage digital technology to protect forcibly displaced and stateless people, improve their well-being, and build self-reliance.

What we offer

Beyond funding, the Digital Innovation Fund provides teams with learning, guidance, and technical support to strengthen digital ideas and drive real-world impact. Each selected initiative receives:
Seed funding to design and test solutions

Financial support

Peer learning through a global network of innovators.

Digital, technical, and product development support

Mentorship from innovation and sector experts.

Emphasis on learning and user-centered design

Technical guidance on design, prototyping, and evaluation.

Access to UNHCR's Innovation Community of Practice

Internal UNHCR teams and colleagues, including

Country operations
Regional bureaux
Headquarters divisions
Multi-functional and cross-entity teams

Internal applications only

Applicants must be UNHCR staff or affiliated personnel
Applications must be made as a team even if one person leads and submits
While only UNHCR teams are eligible to submit applications, teams are encouraged to collaborate with other groups – particularly refugee-led organizations, community-based organizations, and actors bringing diverse expertise.

Boost your application

Clear digital solution addressing an operational or protection challenge
Strong focus on co-creation, inclusion, accessibility, and protection considerations
Alignment with UNHCR digital standards and principles
Innovative or adaptable approaches with potential for learning, reuse, or scale across UNHCR

Learn more about the application process

Before applying, make sure you download and read our FAQs (12.95 KB)
As well as our Areas of Exploration here (12.95 KB)

Digital Innovation, by the numbers

39
 digital projects supported
People participating in innovation projects supported through the UNHCR Innovation Accelerator.
Explore our impact

"We came from South Sudan when we were in war. So, by that time, we had a lot of trauma and we lost hope in life. But using virtual reality makes us feel mentally positive, as it allows us to immerse ourselves in a world where we can change the community we lived in into a positive living.”— Female South Sudanese refugee, Bidibidi Refugee Settlement, Uganda"

 

Stories and reports from digital innovation initiatives

Get in touch with the digital innovation team

Connect with the Digital Innovation team to share your idea and learn how we can support responsible digital innovation across UNHCR.

Email us today