Human Rights Advocates Program 2026-2027 (HRAP) Deadline: 1 December, 2025

Applications are open for the Human Rights Advocates Program (HRAP) 2026-2027. Founded in 1989, HRAP leverages the resources of Columbia University and those offered by NYC 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 100 countries have attended the program since it was created in 1989. The cumulative reach of HRAP participants is extraordinary: alumni have worked with organizations whose memberships range from the thousands to the millions. They can be found at prominent human rights organizations, serving in their national governments and at the UN, teaching at universities around the globe, and serving on the frontlines of human rights in an effort to make a more just and peaceful world.

Funding

• 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.

Eligibility

• Open to 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, and corporate social accountability.
• Participants are selected on the basis of their work experience in human rights, commitment to the human rights field, and demonstrated ability to pursue graduate-level studies.
• Full-time students, academics, or government officials will not be considered. Applicants holding full-time jobs pursuing their advocacy efforts are preferred.

Application

Applicants are asked to complete the application in its entirety. The entire application including attachments must be in English. They will be accepting applications through Monday, December 1, 2025, at 11:59 pm ET.

For more information, visit HRAP.