Columbia University Human Rights Advocates Program (HRAP) 2027 and 2028: A New York Training Term for Grassroots NGO Staff

The Human Rights Advocates Program (HRAP) at Columbia University’s Institute for the Study of Human Rights is taking applications for its Fall 2027 and Spring 2028 terms in New York. The deadline is 15 October 2026 at 11:59 pm Eastern Time. It is aimed at full-time staff of grassroots NGOs, so most business founders will not qualify. Civil society professionals across Africa will.

At a glance

Who can apply

The admissions page asks for applicants who work for grassroots NGOs in fields such as sexual and gender-based violence, minority rights, LGBTQI+ rights, labor, indigenous peoples, migration, health, environment, disability and corporate accountability. You need work experience and a demonstrated commitment to human rights, and you must be fluent in English. A bachelor’s degree is preferred. Full-time students, academics and government officials are not eligible.

The FAQ adds that you must hold a paid, full-time job at the NGO now, come from a low- or middle-income country (with rare exceptions for people representing marginalized communities), and commit to return to your organization afterwards. Only one application is accepted per organization. The FAQ also excludes nationals of countries on the current US travel ban list, which it puts at 75 countries, so check that list before you invest time.

What the program offers

HRAP was established in 1989. The institute describes it as academic, skill-building, mentoring and networking opportunities, delivered through seminars, university courses and workshops led by practitioners from prominent organizations. It says more than 350 advocates from nearly 100 countries have taken part.

Money is the part to read carefully. The admissions page says the institute makes every effort to secure funding for shortlisted advocates, and that funding varies by focus area and region. The FAQ states that only a very limited number of full scholarships are awarded and that most admitted applicants cover their own living expenses and stipends. No tuition figure is published, and these funding statements are not tied to this specific intake.

How to apply

1. Read the admissions information and the FAQ.
2. Get two signed recommendation letters in English from people who can speak to your advocacy work.
3. Get one signed institutional endorsement letter from your supervisor.
4. Prepare your highest university diploma or transcript.
5. Submit through the Google Form linked from the official call page, or complete the PDF version and email it, before 15 October 2026.

Advice from the Africapreneurs team

• Check the job first. If you run a social enterprise or a for-profit venture, read the NGO and full-time employment rules before anything else. They decide your eligibility.
• Ask your supervisor for the endorsement letter now. The page says unsigned letters lead to removal of the whole application.
• Francophone applicants should plan on writing in English. Both recommendation letters must be in English, and so must your answers.
• Think about money before you apply. Work out how you would cover living costs for a full term if you receive no scholarship.
• Keep each document under 2 MB in PDF form, as the FAQ asks, and submit early because the form cannot be edited after final submission.

FAQ

Is there a fee to apply?

The official pages mention no application fee.

Is HRAP fully funded?

Not for most people. The FAQ says only a very limited number of full scholarships are awarded and most admitted applicants cover living expenses themselves.

Can I defer my place to a later year?

No. The FAQ says accepted applicants cannot postpone and must reapply if they cannot attend.

When will I hear back?

The admissions page gives late February 2027 for notification.

Sources

• Apply for Fall 2027 and Spring 2028 HRAP
• HRAP admissions information
• HRAP frequently asked questions
• Human Rights Advocates Program overview