Human Rights Advocates Program (HRAP) 2027-2028, Columbia University

The Human Rights Advocates Program (HRAP) at Columbia University's Institute for the Study of Human Rights (ISHR) is now accepting applications for its Fall 2027 and Spring 2028 cohorts. Founded in 1989, HRAP leverages the resources of Columbia University and of New York City as a hub of NGOs and international organizations to provide human rights advocates with academic, skill-building, mentoring, and networking opportunities.

Through seminars, participation in University courses, and workshops led by staff from leading human rights organizations, as well as meetings with policymakers and funders, advocates share their experiences, reflect critically on their work, and plan future campaigns. More than 350 advocates from nearly 100 countries have attended the program since its creation, and alumni now work with prominent human rights organizations, serve in national governments and at the UN, teach at universities worldwide, and remain on the frontlines of human rights.

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
• Corporate social accountability

Participants are selected on the basis of their work experience in human rights, commitment to the field, and demonstrated ability to pursue graduate-level studies. Eligibility requirements include:

• Advocates must work at the grassroots level with an NGO.
• Fluency in English is required.
• Applicants from high-income countries will not be considered, except for those representing marginalized communities, so advocates from India and other developing countries qualify.
• Full-time students, academics, and government officials will not be considered; applicants holding full-time jobs pursuing their advocacy efforts are preferred.
• A bachelor's degree is preferred but not required.
• Preference is given to those who have not previously had opportunities to travel and study internationally.
• Advocates must provide proof of institutional endorsement (in English) from their organization and must commit to returning to that organization upon completion of the program.
• Only one application per organization may be submitted; more than one application means all applications from that organization are disqualified.

This application call covers two separate HRAP programs, and applicants select their preferred term. ISHR plans to offer HRAP on campus from September 2027 to mid-December 2027, and again from January 2028 to early May 2028. This timing is subject to change.

Applicants must complete the application in its entirety, with the entire application including attachments in English. The application is submitted through the official ISHR Google Form; applicants may save the form as a draft and return to complete it, and a confirmation is sent on submission. Those who do not wish to apply via the Google Form may fill out a PDF version and send it to ishr@columbia.edu. The deadline for both programs is October 15, 2026 at 11:59 pm Eastern Time. ISHR strongly recommends completing the application well in advance; late applications are not accepted, even in the event of technical problems.

Applicants must submit the following, all in English:

• Two signed letters of recommendation from people who can attest to the applicant's work as a human rights advocate. Unsigned letters are not accepted (electronic signatures are accepted), and recommenders must provide their contact information, ideally a work email address.
• A signed institutional letter of support from the applicant's supervisor confirming support for the HRAP application. This cannot also serve as one of the two recommendation letters, and the proof of institutional endorsement cannot be one of the recommendation letters.
• If the organization has funding from an external source, at least one letter from a donor is strongly recommended.
• A copy of the applicant's university diploma and/or transcript (the highest degree, if multiple).

ISHR welcomes applications from qualified human rights advocates from all regions of the world. After its stringent selection process, ISHR 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 admission. Dedicated funder support enables ISHR to admit advocates working on LGBT, disability and/or SRHR rights in Latin America and/or Africa; the Packard Foundation supports two advocates working on human rights abuses in the fisheries sector in SE Asia; and the Harriman Institute at Columbia University supports one advocate from Russia, Eurasia, and Eastern Europe.

A stringent and thorough due diligence process is conducted to choose participants. Shortlisted applicants are asked to interview with HRAP alumni from their own countries and/or regions, and finalists interview with ISHR's Director of Capacity Building. ISHR also reaches out to recommenders and to any listed partner or donor organizations as part of the due diligence check. All applicants are notified of their status by late February 2027; the selection and funding processes are lengthy.