UNICEF is inviting civil-society organisations with strong gender, migration and humanitarian expertise to support girls’ and women’s empowerment in migration and crisis settings. The opportunity focuses on technical approaches and practical learning rather than an unrestricted women’s rights fund. Application deadline: 20 October 2026.
Opportunity overview
- UN Partner Portal reference: CEF/USA/2026/015
- Issuing agency: UNICEF
- Geography: Global technical remit; UNICEF office location listed as New York, USA
- Application deadline: 20 October 2026
- Planned implementation period: 30 October 2026 to 1 May 2027
- Indicative funding: Indicative budget 60,000; currency is not identified in the notice.
- Application channel: UN Partner Portal
Programme objectives and delivery model
Girls and women experience migration, displacement and crisis differently because age, gender norms, care responsibilities and service access can shape both opportunities and risks. The donor describes vulnerabilities linked to exploitation, reduced access to school and health services, child marriage and gender-based violence, as well as the agency and leadership of migrant girls and women.
The technical emphasis includes gender equality, girls’ and women’s empowerment, migration and gender, humanitarian and climate resilience, and innovative global learning-platform development. An effective partner will bring substantive expertise and an ability to translate research, experience and policy principles into practical tools and collaborative learning.
The call highlights the need for a coherent concept note with time-bound activities and a costed workplan. Detailed expected outputs are set out in Annex 1, which applicants must consult before committing to deliverables. A New York office location in the portal is not proof that project activities or eligible applicants are restricted to the United States.
Strong programme design should recognise differences between a girl travelling alone, a child in a displaced household and a woman whose household responsibilities have changed after migration. Inclusion, safeguarding, informed participation and safe handling of sensitive information are foundational.
Who should consider applying?
Applicants need institutional expertise in the specific intersection of gender equality, migration, crisis response and evidence-led learning. Previous work with UN organisations, ability to contribute resources and a genuinely innovative technical approach are important competitive factors. Check whether the lead applicant may be located outside the United States.
Selection criteria and competitive positioning
The selection weights are 30 points for relevance to results, 30 for sector expertise, 15 for partner resource contribution, 15 for previous UN collaboration and 10 for innovation. Align each proposal element to these published priorities.
Five application priorities
- 1. Review Annex 1 and translate its expected outputs into an agreed technical scope before drafting activities.
- 2. Provide credible experience combining gender analysis with migrant protection or humanitarian and climate-resilience programmes.
- 3. Define participatory methods that support girls and women without exposing them to retaliation, stigma or sensitive-data risks.
- 4. Detail the proposed learning products, facilitation, technical expertise and accessible dissemination formats.
- 5. Cost the proposed work transparently and document genuine financial or non-financial contributions.
A practical evidence example
For a learning initiative, useful evidence could include an agreed competency framework, piloted training resources, participant feedback and documentation of how lessons were used to refine practice. Do not present attendance alone as evidence of empowerment.
Important mistake to avoid
Do not assume that the portal location is the implementation country, or that the number 60,000 is confirmed to be USD. Confirm currency, eligibility and the deliverables in Annex 1.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a US-only grant?
The listed office location is New York, but geographic eligibility needs checking in the official partner terms.
What is the application deadline?
20 October 2026.
What does the budget figure mean?
The summary lists 60,000 without confirming currency or per-applicant award conditions.
Do applicants need migration experience?
Relevant experience combining gender equality with migration, humanitarian contexts and related technical learning is expressly assessed.
Are UN relationships scored?
Yes. Experience with UN processes is worth 15 points.
Official source and application route
Applicants should locate CEF/USA/2026/015 on the official UN Partner Portal. Read the current full terms of reference and attachments, including the technical and financial proposal templates, exact closing time, safeguarding requirements and any amendments. These calls select prospective partners and do not guarantee an agreement.
Next steps for your organisation
A bid/no-bid review should begin with legal eligibility, local presence, demonstrable technical skills, sound financial controls and the time available to produce a credible proposal. Use the Africads Grant Funding Toolkit to organise evidence and implementation readiness. For an independent review of fit or a draft concept note, contact Africads Consultants. Subscribe to free Grant News to receive future opportunities.
