The Human Rights Advocates Program (HRAP) 2027-2028 offers academic, skill-building, mentoring, and networking opportunities for human rights advocates. Scholarships are available, though limited, with selected participants covering living expenses. Applicants must be working with NGOs at the grassroots level, fluent in English, and endorsed by their organization with a commitment to return.
By Columbia University
The Human Rights Advocates Program (HRAP) 2027-2028, founded in 1989, is offered by Columbia University. It aims to provide human rights advocates with academic, skill-building, mentoring, and networking opportunities by leveraging the resources of Columbia University and New York City's concentration of NGOs and international organizations. Participants engage in seminars, university courses, and workshops led by staff from prominent human rights organizations. They also have meetings with policymakers and funders. The program is designed for advocates to share experiences, critically reflect on their work, and plan future campaigns. Since its inception, over 350 advocates from nearly 100 countries have participated in HRAP. Alumni of the program have gone on to work with various organizations, national governments, the UN, and universities globally, contributing to human rights efforts. A limited number of full scholarships are available. Other admitted applicants are expected to cover expenses such as living costs and a stipend. The program focuses on supporting advocates working at the grassroots level.
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 based on previous human rights work experience, commitment to the human rights field, and demonstrated ability to pursue graduate-level studies. Fluency in English is required. Preference is given to those who have not previously had opportunities for international travel and study. Advocates must provide proof of institutional endorsement from their organizations for program participation and commit to returning to that organization upon completion of the program. Only one application per organization is permitted; more than one application from the same organization will result in disqualification of all applications from that organization.