UN Global Pulse Scale Accelerator Programme 2026 for Innovators (Up To USD $60,000 Catalyst Grant +Funded Workshop in Finland)

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Applications are open for UN Global Pulse Scale Accelerator Programme 2026. The UN Global Pulse Accelerator is the United Nations’ programme to support the scaling of promising innovative solutions, ensuring that exceptional UN-led pilots maximize their impact for the people we serve.

The programme supports UN-led teams in developing sustainable, realistic and impactful scaling strategies for their innovative solutions. Those with the most compelling strategies will be awarded a grant and tailored mentoring to help implement them. Launched in 2023, the UN Global Pulse Accelerator is the United Nations’ programme for turning promising innovative ideas into real-world impact at scale, ensuring that exceptional UN-led pilots reach more communities through adaptable delivery models and future-fit strategies.

The Scale Accelerator is a structured program that helps UN teams turn effective pilot initiatives into broader, sustainable solutions that deliver measurable social and development impact. It enables participating teams to develop scaling strategies, refine delivery models, and connect with multidisciplinary expertise to increase reach and effectiveness. This effort aligns with broader goals to strengthen innovation across the UN system and support solutions that help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

UN Global Pulse Scale Accelerator Benefits

Selected teams will attend an in-person workshop in Finland from June 8-12, 2026, with three members from each team expected to attend. UN Global Pulse will cover flights for all participants.
Each UN-led team will receive support from a pool of multidisciplinary experts and be introduced to key partners across public and private sectors.
Three teams with the most promising innovation scaling strategies will be awarded the Scale Catalyst Grant (USD $60,000), tailored technical support and mentoring from UN Global Pulse to meet their specific scaling needs and implement the strategies developed during the workshop days.

Eligibility Criteria for UN Global Pulse Scale Accelerator

The Accelerator is open to all UN-led teams with innovative, piloted solutions that show evidence of positive outcomes and are ready to scale. The project can also be a collaborative effort between multiple UN agencies and/or an external partner.

The Program is looking for solutions that:

Demonstrate their readiness to transition to scale.
Demonstrate their ability to achieve tangible results in development and/ or humanitarian action, with data, digital technologies and/or AI serving as enabling components. Approaches may be low-tech, high-tech or hybrid, provided they are appropriate to the context and problem being addressed.
Will enhance the UN’s delivery of outcomes for people and planet, support UN80 priorities on effectiveness and efficiency and the central promise of Agenda 2030 to leave no one behind.

Your application will be considered if your innovation project:

Is led by a UN entity or co-led with a partner.
Addresses one or more of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Has been piloted at least once in the local context of the challenge it seeks to solve, with evidence of positive outcomes
Demonstrates how it applies data, digital technologies, and/or AI as an enabling component in the solution.
Demonstrates how these cross-cutting themes: human rights, gender equality, diversity and inclusion are taken into account.
Demonstrates a human-centred, co-creation approach in the innovation design process.

Travel Arrangements

Travel arrangements for the workshop week will be made to allow participants to arrive in Finland on the evening before the start of the programme and to depart on the day after the conclusion of the workshops.
Flights will be booked in economy class, in line with UNOPS standard travel policies.
Please note that DSA, terminal expenses or any additional expenses will not be
covered.

Team Commitment

Each participating team must:

Be composed of 3 people working directly on the project who can commit time to participate in the workshop series from 8 to 12 June 2026 in Finland.
Ensure that their innovation is aligned with organizational priorities and has the support and endorsement of leadership to continue their scale journey.
If selected as a grant recipient, be able to enter into a UN-to-UN agreement and commit to the mentoring phase of 6-8 months.