Harvard Law School Human Rights Program

Visiting Fellows Program

The deadline to apply for the 2013-2014 Visiting Fellows Program is January 14, 2013. To apply, please click here.

Through its Visiting Fellows Program, the Human Rights Program seeks to give thoughtful individuals with a demonstrated commitment to human rights an opportunity to step back and conduct a serious inquiry in the human rights field. Individuals who become fellows at the Program are usually scholars with a substantial background in human rights, or experienced activists. On occasion, they have included young committed workers in the field with the capacity and interest to develop as teachers or activists. A number of fellows have also come from the judiciary and other branches of government.

Typically, fellows come from outside the United States. They spend from one semester to a full academic year (preference for candidates who can commit to a full academic year) in residence at the Law School and devote the majority of their time to research and writing on a specific human rights topic. During this time, they may also audit courses in human rights and related subjects.

The fellows form an essential part of the human rights community at Harvard Law School. With reasonable exceptions for brief trips, they are expected to remain in residence during the term of their fellowship and to participate actively in the Human Rights Program Fellows Colloquium, bi-monthly lunch discussions held by the Human Rights Program. Each fellow is required to make a presentation to Human Rights Program staff, faculty, and other fellows on at least one occasion. Fellows are also encouraged to participate in a number of other Human Rights Program activities.

In order to profit from the fellowship, fluent spoken English is essential. While the Human Rights Program does not currently require a formal exam, it may request proof of such fluency.

The Human Rights Program provides four to eight fellows annually with a shared office space, access to computers, and use of the Harvard library system. The Human Rights Program does not charge fellows for the services and space that it provides. On the other hand, the Human Rights Program cannot provide secretarial services for fellows, who must be prepared to take care of their own needs such as correspondence, photocopying, etc. The Human Rights Program, as a general matter, does not fund fellows or provide them with living expenses. When a fellow from a developing country cannot afford to come to the Human Rights Program without additional aid, the Program will make every effort to make aid available. The Human Rights Program's funds are never sufficient to cover all expenses, however. Thus, fellows must also apply to other sources. The Program will provide letters in support of fellows' applications for funding to foundations and other institutions.

For more information on how to apply for the Visiting Fellows program, click here.

To view a list of current Visiting Fellows, click here.

To view a list of former Visiting Fellows, click here.