The United Nations (UN) 2026 Global Pulse Accelerator Programme
✦ AI Summary
Applications are now open for the UN Global Pulse Accelerator Programme 2026, a United Nations initiative designed to help scale innovative solutions that have been piloted successfully and demonstrate tangible positive outcomes.
Applications are now open for the UN Global Pulse Accelerator Programme 2026, a United Nations initiative designed to help scale innovative solutions that have been piloted successfully and demonstrate tangible positive outcomes. The programme supports UN-led teams in developing sustainable, realistic, and impactful scaling strategies for their innovations. The most compelling projects will receive a grant and tailored mentoring to implement their scale-up plans.
Application Deadline: 11 February 2026, 11:59 PM EST
Who Can Apply
The programme is open to UN-led teams or collaborations between multiple UN agencies and/or external partners. Eligible projects must:
- Demonstrate readiness to transition to scale
- Show tangible results in development or humanitarian contexts
- Leverage data, digital technologies, and/or AI as enabling components
- Align with the UN’s outcomes for people and planet, UN80 priorities, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
Key Responsibilities
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- Workshop Location: Finland
- Workshop Dates: 8 – 12 June 2026
- Travel arrangements will be provided for participants, including economy-class flights to arrive the evening before and depart the day after the workshop
- Note: DSA, terminal expenses, or additional costs are not covered
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Requirements
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- Applications will be considered if your project:
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- Is led by a UN entity or co-led with a partner
- Addresses one or more Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Has been piloted at least once in the local context with evidence of positive outcomes
- Integrates data, digital technologies, or AI effectively
- Demonstrates consideration for human rights, gender equality, diversity, and inclusion
- Follows a human-centered, co-creation approach in innovation design
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- Each participating team must:
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- Consist of 3 members working directly on the project
- Commit to participating in the full workshop series in June 2026
- Ensure the project has organizational support and leadership endorsement
- If selected for the grant, be able to enter a UN-to-UN agreement and commit to a 6–8 month mentoring phase
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What We Offer
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- Grant funding for selected projects
- Tailored mentoring and coaching for scale-up implementation
- Opportunity to enhance UN-led solutions impacting development and humanitarian outcomes
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