Human Rights Advocates Program

📖 About the Program

The Human Rights Advocates Program (HRAP) is now open for applications for the 2026–2027 program.

Founded in 1989, HRAP leverages the resources of Columbia University and New York City as a hub of NGOs and international organizations to provide human rights advocates with:

• Academic opportunities
• Skill-building workshops
• Mentoring sessions
• Networking opportunities

Through seminars, participation in university courses, workshops led by staff from leading human rights organizations, and meetings with policymakers and funders, advocates:

• Share their experiences
• Reflect critically on their work
• Plan future campaigns

Since its inception, more than 350 advocates from 100 countries have participated in the program. Alumni have gone on to work with prominent human rights organizations, serve in national governments and at the UN, teach at universities globally, and work on the frontlines of human rights advocacy.

🗓 Opportunity Details

• Date Published: August 27, 2025
• Application Deadline: December 01, 2025
• Category:
  • Undergraduate
  • Training
  • Entrepreneurs
  • Bachelors
  • Fully Funded
  • Partial Scholarship
• Opportunity Location: United States

🎁 Benefits

• ISHR conducts a stringent selection process and strives to secure funding for shortlisted advocates to attend the program.
• In cases where ISHR cannot secure funding, shortlisted advocates may be asked to secure the funds needed for their participation.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

The program is designed for human rights activists working with NGOs on issues such as:

• Sexual and gender-based violence
• Minority rights
• LGBTQI+ rights
• Labor rights
• Indigenous peoples' rights
• Migration
• Health
• Social exclusion
• Environmental justice
• Disability rights
• Corporate social accountability

Selection Criteria:

1. Work Experience: Applicants must have significant experience in human rights advocacy and demonstrate a commitment to the field.
2. Advocacy Efforts: Preference is given to applicants holding full-time jobs pursuing advocacy efforts. Full-time students, academics, or government officials will not be considered.
3. Grassroots Work: Advocates must work at the grassroots level. Applicants from high-income countries will only be considered if they represent marginalized communities.
4. English Fluency: Fluency in English is required.
5. Educational Background: A bachelor’s degree is preferred but not required.
6. Institutional Endorsement: Advocates must provide proof of institutional endorsement in English from their organizations and commit to returning to their organization upon completion of the program.
7. International Exposure: Preference is given to those who have not previously had opportunities to travel and study internationally.

📝 Application Process

Steps to Apply:

1. Complete the application in its entirety. All attachments must be in English.
2. Register an account on the ISHR website.
3. Log in to the ISHR portal and choose Start/Resume A HRAP Application from the menu.
4. Follow all instructions, including those sent to your email address.

Submission Options:

• Save the form as a draft and return later to complete it.
• Submit a completed application. Upon submission, a confirmation will be sent to the applicant.

Editing Applications:

Applicants may log in to the online application portal to view or edit their submitted applications until the deadline. To edit or complete submitted applications, log in to the ISHR website and choose Manage HRAP Submission.

📅 Application Deadline

December 01, 2025

📧 Contact Information

If you experience difficulty using the application page, please contact:
Email: ishr@columbia.edu

🌐 Application Portal

• View details of the program: ISHR Human Rights Advocates Program
• Apply here: ISHR Application Portal

This opportunity is a unique chance for human rights advocates to enhance their skills, expand their networks, and contribute to a more just and peaceful world. Don't miss the chance to apply!

• After ISHR conducts its stringent selection process, it makes every effort to secure funding for shortlisted Advocates to attend the program. In certain cases where ISHR cannot secure funding, shortlisted Advocates may be asked to secure the funds needed for them to be admitted to the program.