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.

APPLY

UNESCO/JAPAN YOUNG RESEARCHERS’ FELLOWSHIPS PROGRAMME

Application Deadline: 30 September 2026

LOCATION: Japan

Established in 2001 under the Japanese Funds-in-Trust for the Capacity-Building of Human Resources, the UNESCO/Japan Young Researchers’ Fellowships Programme, also known as the UNESCO/Keizo Obuchi Research Fellowships Programme, is a long-standing initiative supported by the Government of Japan to strengthen research capacities and promote international knowledge exchange in areas aligned with UNESCO’s mandate.

ELIGIBILITY:

Under the 2026 cycle, UNESCO and the Government of Japan will award 10 fellowships to highly qualified young researchers from Africa, Small Island Developing States, Ukraine, and Türkiye. 

Applicants must:

Be nationals of one of the invited Member States or Associate Members listed in Annex 1;

Be no more than 40 years old at the time of application;

Hold at least a master’s degree or equivalent in a field relevant to the proposed research and demonstrate strong academic and research potential;

Demonstrate sufficient proficiency in reading and writing in the language of instruction or supervision at the proposed host institution in Japan;

Have obtained acceptance from an academic supervisor at a Japanese university or research institution, who will oversee the proposed research.

BENEFIT:

Selected fellows may receive a fellowship grant of up to US$10,000. The grant will be provided as a lump-sum contribution and is intended to cover costs directly related to the approved research stay in Japan.

The grant may cover:

International and domestic travel for the approved itinerary;

Accommodation;

Medical insurance;

Personal subsistence in Japan, including meals, local transportation and incidental expenses;

Other research-related expenses, where applicable.

APPLY

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