Institute for the Study of Human Rights, Columbia UniversityFellowship

Columbia Human Rights Advocates Program

Oct 15, 2026 23:59:00 ET

Opportunity type

Fellowship

Funding

Partially Funded

Location

Global

Deadline

Oct 15, 2026 23:59:00 ET

About this opportunity

Columbia University's Institute for the Study of Human Rights runs this residential programme in New York for human rights advocates who work at grassroots NGOs. Advocates spend a semester at Columbia combining graduate coursework, skills workshops led by groups such as Human Rights Watch and WITNESS, faculty mentoring and networking with funders and policymakers, then return to their organisations. Since 1989 more than 350 advocates from nearly 100 countries have taken part.

What you get:

A semester in New York at Columbia University, either September to mid-December 2027 or January to early May 2028
Graduate-level coursework at Columbia, plus faculty mentoring from schools including SIPA, Social Work, Public Health and Law
Skills workshops on fundraising, human rights research and documentation (taught by Human Rights Watch researchers), op-ed writing, media, video advocacy (WITNESS) and stress management
A networking and advocacy trip to Washington, D.C. to meet organisations, government agencies and foundations
Ongoing support afterwards from ISHR and an alumni network of more than 350 advocates in nearly 100 countries
A very limited number of full scholarships; ISHR says it makes every effort to secure funding for shortlisted advocates

What you'll do:

Take part in seminars, university courses and practitioner-led workshops
Meet New York organisations, UN bodies, funders and policymakers working on your issue
Write and critique funding proposals and an op-ed ready for publication
Plan future campaigns and bring the skills and contacts back to your organisation

Key dates:

Applications close October 15, 2026 at 11:59 pm Eastern Time
Applicants notified of their status by late February 2027
Fall programme: September to mid-December 2027
Spring programme: January 2028 to early May 2028

More information:

Eligibility, funding and application instructions are on ISHR's Admissions Information page
Read the HRAP Frequently Asked Questions before applying; ISHR will not tell individual applicants whether they are eligible
Apply through ISHR's Google Form, or send the fillable PDF application to ishr@columbia.edu

Who can apply

You must work full time in a paid position for a grassroots NGO and be currently employed there
Full-time students, academics and government officials will not be considered
Applicants from high-income countries (World Bank list) are not considered unless they represent marginalised communities
Columbia cannot sponsor visas for advocates from the 75 countries on the current US travel ban list; applicants from those countries should not apply
Fluency in English is required; a bachelor's degree is preferred and you must upload your diploma or transcript
Preference goes to people who have not previously had opportunities to travel and study internationally
A signed institutional letter of support from your supervisor (or board chair if you are the director), and a commitment to return to your organisation afterwards
Two signed recommendation letters in English from people who can attest to your human rights work
Only one application per organisation; more than one disqualifies all of them
A video statement of up to three minutes and a two-page CV

AI Verification

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Good to know

+Run by Columbia University's Institute for the Study of Human Rights since 1989, with more than 350 alumni from nearly 100 countries
+No application fee; applying is a Google Form or an emailed PDF
+Practical training from Human Rights Watch and WITNESS plus a Washington, D.C. advocacy trip
+Named funded seats for LGBT, disability and SRHR advocates in Latin America and Africa, SE Asia fisheries advocates, and one advocate from Russia, Eurasia or Eastern Europe
+Closes 15 October 2026 at 11:59 pm Eastern Time

Worth checking yourself

!Only a very limited number of full scholarships; other admitted advocates must cover living expenses and stipend themselves, and ISHR publishes no figure for what that costs
!You need a current full-time paid job at a grassroots NGO and your supervisor's signed endorsement, so students and recent graduates without an NGO role cannot apply
!Not open to applicants from the 75 countries on the US travel ban list, or from high-income countries unless representing marginalised communities
!Deadline is one week away and needs two signed recommendation letters plus an institutional letter, which take recommenders weeks to prepare
!Only one applicant per organisation; duplicate applications disqualify everyone from that organisation
!Results are not out until late February 2027

Sources checked

OPopportunitydesk.orgOfficialHUhumanrights.columbia.eduApplyHUhumanrights.columbia.eduApplyHUhumanrights.columbia.eduApplyHUhumanrights.columbia.eduApplyHUhumanrights.columbia.eduApplyHUhumanrights.columbia.eduApplyHUhumanrights.columbia.eduApplyBIbit.lyOfficial

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