UN Global Pulse Accelerator Programme 2026

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.

Developing sustainable and scalable models for innovative solutions amid a continuously changing landscape is a challenging journey. To thrive, promising ideas must be cultivated within adaptable ecosystems, grounded in scalable, responsible technology, sustainable financing models, innovative partnerships and cutting-edge skills. The UN Global Pulse Accelerator responds to these ever-evolving needs through an innovative programme that offers an evidence-based curriculum, enabling UN-led teams to undertake a structured, multidisciplinary approach to drive impact. 

Selection Criteria

To qualify as an innovation project, it must show how it delivers impact by creating or adapting a product, service, process, or system that adds new value. This can be done by addressing an existing problem, seizing an opportunity, or meeting an anticipated need. 

Additionally, the innovation project must be led by at least one UN entity. Projects run solely by non-UN entities, or those only endorsed, branded, or funded by the UN, will not be considered.

• Addresses one or more of the Sustainable Development Goals.
• 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.