COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY FALL 2027 AND SPRING 2028 HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCATES PROGRAMS (HRAP)

Application Deadline: October 15, 2026, at 11:59 pm Eastern Time.

LOCATION: USA

The Human Rights Advocates Program (HRAP) is now accepting applications to the Fall 2027 and Spring 2028 programs. HRAP leverages the resources of Columbia University and those offered by NYC as a hub of NGOs and international organizations to provide human rights advocates with academic, skill-building, mentoring, and networking opportunities. 

ELIGIBILITY:

The program is designed for human rights activists working with NGOs on issues including sexual and gender-based violence, minority rights, LGBTQI+ rights, labor rights, indigenous peoples’ rights, migration, health, social exclusion, environmental justice, disability rights, and corporate social accountability.

Participants are selected on the basis of their work experience in human rights, commitment to the human rights field, and demonstrated ability to pursue graduate-level studies. Full-time students, academics, or government officials will not be considered. Applicants holding full-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. (See the Frequently Asked Questions for more information about this requirement). Fluency in English is required. Preference is given to those who have not previously had opportunities to travel and study internationally. A bachelor’s degree is preferred but not required.

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

They cannot definitively assess your eligibility without reviewing your completed application. If you consider yourself eligible, please apply and demonstrate your eligibility in your answers to application questions.

BENEFIT:

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 a stipend.

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