Columbia University Human Rights Advocates Program (HRAP)

Applications are now open for the 2027/2028 Human Rights Advocates Program.

Administered through the Institute for the Study of Human Rights (ISHR) at Columbia University, this prestigious fellowship provides human rights professionals with an exceptional opportunity to strengthen their advocacy skills, expand their professional networks, and collaborate with leading scholars and practitioners in one of the world’s most respected academic institutions.

The programme is designed for human rights defenders who have demonstrated a strong commitment to promoting justice, equality, and human dignity.

Through intensive academic engagement, practical training, and professional networking, HRAP equips participants with the knowledge, tools, and partnerships needed to amplify the impact of their work within their organizations and communities.

The Human Rights Advocates Program include;

• The Program is designed for lawyers, journalists, doctors, teachers, social workers, community organizers, and other human rights activists working with NGOs on issues including sexual and gender-based violence, domestic violence, minority rights, LGBT rights, labor rights, migration, health, social exclusion, environmental justice, and corporate social accountability.

• Participants are selected on the basis of their previous work experience in human rights, commitment to the human rights field, and demonstrated ability to pursue graduate-level studies.

• Full-time students or government officials will not be considered. Applicants holding full or part-time jobs pursuing their advocacy efforts are preferred.

• Advocates must work at the grassroots level. Applicants from high-income countries will not be considered except for those representing marginalized communities. Fluency in English is required.

• Preference is given to those who have not previously had opportunities to travel and study internationally.

• Advocates must provide proof of institutional endorsement from their organizations for their participation in the Program and must commit to returning to that organization upon completion of the Program. 

• It is up to the applicant to make sure he/she is the sole applicant from his/her organization.

• Academic engagement at Columbia University.

• Professional development opportunities.

• Interaction with internationally recognized scholars.

• Collaboration with fellow human rights advocates.

• Exposure to interdisciplinary approaches to human rights.

• Expanded international professional networks.

• Opportunities to exchange experiences with practitioners from diverse regions.

• Increased leadership and advocacy capacity.

• Practical knowledge that can be applied within participants’ organizations.

Worth

• Only a very limited number of full scholarships will be awarded. Other admitted applicants will be asked to cover expenses such as living expenses and stipend.

To apply, candidates must be ready to submit the following documents;

• Two signed letters of recommendation.

• A copy of your university diploma and/or transcript. (If you hold multiple degrees, please upload the highest one.)

• English proficiency certificate

To apply for the Human Rights Advocates Program, interested and qualified candidates should;

• 1

  Click the green button below to go to the scholarship webpage.

• 2

  Applicants are asked to complete the application in its entirety. The entire application including attachments must be in English. 

• 3

  In order to access the application, click here to view and fill out the Google Form.

• 4

  After beginning an application, the applicant can either choose to save the form as a draft, or submit a completed application.

• 5

  If you choose to save the form as a draft, you can return to this page to complete it.  Upon submission of a completed application, a confirmation will be sent to the applicant. 

• 6

  If you do not wish to apply via this form, you can fill out a PDF version of the form and send it to ishr@columbia.edu.