Human Rights Research Award

About the Award

The Human Rights Research Award is intended to support ISHR students with research opportunities and ISHR-affiliated faculty with support for their human rights related research. ISHR will award a limited number of research stipends to students in the amount of $1,750.

Students who receive the Human Rights Research Award are expected to complete approximately 80-120 hours of research assistance. Specific research opportunities for students will be announced here as they become available.

For Faculty

Current Columbia University faculty who are interested in working with a student on a human rights research project are requested to email the following materials to [email protected]:

  • a brief summary of the research project,
  • expected research needs from the student, and
  • a timeline for the project.  

Please also include the best way to contact you, materials you’d like to review from candidates (I.e., CV, cover letter, writing sample, etc.), and preferred qualifications.

Deadline: Rolling submission through early fall, with preference given to proposals received by Wednesday, September 25th.

For Students

The Human Rights Research Award will provide students with an opportunity to gain valuable research experience, while supporting the work of Columbia faculty conducting human rights-related research. Students who receive the award are expected to complete between 80-120 hours of research assistance during the academic year. ISHR will award one research stipend per opportunity in the amount of $1,750. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis through early fall, with preference given to proposals received by Wednesday, October 23rd.

Declared UHRP and HRSMA students are eligible to apply. If you have questions about your eligibility, please contact us at [email protected].

For those interested in applying, please find the available opportunities and application instructions for each linked here. (this section will be hyperlinked when each year's research projects are confirmed)

2025 Research Projects

Award Recipient Highlights

Rebeca Lopez-Anzures
2026 Research Award Winner Rebeca Lopez-Anzures

Read our conversation with 2026 Research Award Winner Rebeca Lopez-Anzures. Rebeca discusses her research focus, her favorite moment in the project, and the most challenging parts of it along with other highlights of her experience as a student.