The Human Rights Defenders Programme (HRAP) is accepting applications for Spring 2026. Founded in 1989, HRAP draws on the resources of Columbia University and those offered by New York City as a hub for NGOs and international organisations to provide human rights defenders with academic and skills development training. HRAP also offers mentoring and networking opportunities.
Registration now open
HRAP registration for 2024 is now open! Applications will be accepted until 5pm Eastern Time on Friday 12 July 2024.
Selection of Participants
HRAP is designed for human rights activists working with NGOs on various issues, such as:
- Sexual and gender-based violence
- Minority rights
- LGBTQI+ rights
- Labour rights
- Rights of indigenous peoples
- Migration
- Health
- Social exclusion
- Environmental justice
- Rights of people with disabilities
- Corporate social responsibility
Participants are selected on the basis of their professional experience in human rights, commitment to the field and ability to undertake postgraduate studies. Full-time students, academics or government employees will not be considered. Preference is given to candidates who have full-time law jobs.
Applicants must work locally and come from lower-income countries, unless they represent marginalised communities. Fluency in English is required and preference is given to those without previous international travel and study opportunities. A bachelor's degree is preferred, but not required.
Participants must provide the institutional endorsement of their organisations, committing themselves to return to their organisations after the programme.
Financing
Applications from qualified human rights defenders around the world are welcome. After conducting a rigorous selection process, ISHR makes every effort to secure funding for the shortlisted defenders. In cases where the ISHR is unable to secure funding, shortlisted defenders may need to raise their own funds.
Generous donors support defenders working for LGBT, disability and SRHR rights in Latin America and Africa. The Harriman Institute at Columbia University sponsors a defender from Russia, Eurasia or Eastern Europe.
Defenders learn about oral history at StoryCorps in Brooklyn.
Application instructions
The application must be completed entirely in English. Apply:
- Register an account: Create an account on the ISHR website and log in.
- Start/Resume application: Select "Start/Resume an HRAP application" from the menu.
- Fill in the form: you can save your application as a draft or send it after completion.
- Confirmation: A confirmation e-mail will be sent after submission. You can edit your application until the deadline.
For assistance, please contact ishr@columbia.edu .
Time and Deadline
The next HRAP is planned to take place on campus from mid-January 2026 to mid-May 2026, with an online component in November and December 2025. Check back for updates.
Application deadline: 17:00 US Eastern Time on Friday 12 July 2024.
Find out more and sign up today: https://bit.ly/ApplyHRAP
Supporting documentation
- Letters of recommendation: Two letters of recommendation signed in English are required. The letters must include contact information for the recommenders.
- Educational documents: upload copies of your university degree and/or highest academic transcript.
Due diligence
ISHR conducts a thorough due diligence process, including interviews with HRAP alumni and ISHR's Director of Capacity Building.
Status notification
Applicants will be notified of their status by 30 November 2025. Be patient, as this process is detailed and time-consuming.
Technical questions and support
Due to the volume of enrolments, personal questions cannot be answered. Visit the frequently asked questions page for common questions. For further assistance, please send an e-mail to ishr@columbia.edu . Make sure your application is sent well before the deadline to avoid technical problems.
Columbia University is committed to accessibility. If you encounter problems, please contact ishr@columbia.edu .
