Columbia University Human Rights Advocates Program (HRAP) 2027–2028Apply Now for New York Fellowship
Apply for the Columbia University HRAP Fellowship in NYC! $0 fees, fully funded for global & Indian activists. Check deadlines & eligibility today.
Are you a grassroots advocate, human rights lawyer, or community organizer driving real social change?
- Host
- You must submit an endorsement letter in English from your current…
- Degree
- A bachelor’s degree is preferred, but substantial field experience is given priority.
- Experience
- Must be an active practitioner working with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on human rights issues (e.g., gender equality, LGBTQI+ rights, labor rights, environmental justice, indigenous rights, migration, disability rights).
- Language
- High proficiency in spoken and written English is mandatory.
What you get
- $0 Application Fee: Submitting your application is 100% free—zero registration or submission charges.
- Fully Funded Opportunity: ISHR works directly to secure funding for admitted fellows, covering full tuition, housing in NYC, travel to/from New York, health insurance, and a stipend for living expenses.
- Note: In rare instances where external donor funding is unavailable, shortlisted candidates may be given the option to self-fund or seek institutional support.
Applying
You can submit your application online through the official ISHR application portal using Google Forms or a downloadable PDF format.
- 01Official Application Portal: humanrights.columbia.edu/content/admissions-information
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Common questions
Who can apply?
Education: A bachelor’s degree is preferred, but substantial field experience is given priority.
How do I apply?
Apply directly on the official website: humanrights.columbia.edu. Potenue does not collect applications.
Full description
Are you a grassroots advocate, human rights lawyer, or community organizer driving real social change? Applications are officially OPEN for the Human Rights Advocates Program (HRAP) hosted by the Institute for the Study of Human Rights (ISHR) at Columbia University, New York.
This prestigious fellowship combines Ivy League coursework, leadership training, and high-level networking with global NGOs, UN officials, and international donors.
Can International & Indian Candidates Apply?
Yes! HRAP is specifically designed for international advocates.
- Indian Applicants: Fully eligible. Candidates working with grassroots organizations in India meet the target regional criteria.
- Global International Applicants: Open to activists from all developing countries across Asia, Africa, Latin America, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East.
- NGO Requirement: Applicants must be currently employed full-time by a grassroots non-governmental organization (NGO) in their home country. Full-time students, academics, and government officials are not eligible.
- Endorsement: Candidates must submit an official support letter from their NGO confirming they will return to their work after completing the program.
All quick facts
- Grassroots Advocacy Experience
- Must be an active practitioner working with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on human rights issues (e.g., gender equality, LGBTQI+ rights, labor rights, environmental justice, indigenous rights, migration, disability rights).
- Ineligibility
- Full-time students, academics, and government officials are not eligible.
- Institutional Endorsement
- You must submit an endorsement letter in English from your current NGO confirming that you will return to your organization after finishing the program.
- Language Skill
- High proficiency in spoken and written English is mandatory.
- Education
- A bachelor’s degree is preferred, but substantial field experience is given priority.
