2026–2027 Carr-Ryan Center Fellowships at Harvard Kennedy School — Open Now
The Carr-Ryan Center for Human Rights Policy is now accepting applications for its 2026–2027 fellowship cohort. These fellowships — covering themes like human rights, racial justice, LGBTQI+ rights, and technology & human rights — offer researchers, practitioners and advocates an opportunity to produce policy-relevant research, engage with global experts, and contribute to international human-rights discourse.
Quick Insight:
Whether you’re a seasoned researcher or a passionate advocate, these fellowships provide a valuable platform: you can audit courses, attend seminars, collaborate with experts, and work on impactful research — often with flexibility and minimal residency requirements.
1. Fellowship Tracks & What They Offer
• **Carr-Ryan Center Fellowship (General):** Unpaid, non-residential affiliation. Access to Harvard’s academic community, resources, seminars, and opportunity to audit classes and conduct independent research.
• **Global LGBTQI+ Human Rights Fellowship:** Focus on LGBTQI+ rights research and advocacy globally — ideal for scholars, activists, or practitioners in gender, social justice, or human rights.
• **Racial Justice Fellowship:** Includes a US $10,000 stipend for the academic year (September–June), plus access to faculty, workshops, and network for those working on racial, economic or social justice.
• **Technology & Human Rights Fellowship:** For those exploring the impact of technology (e.g. surveillance, AI, digital policy) on human rights — includes virtual participation plus periodic on-campus convenings with some travel support.
2. Who Should Apply
• Researchers — academics, post-docs, or early-career scholars working on human rights, social justice, tech policy or related fields.
• Practitioners — activists, NGO or civil society workers, public-interest technologists, or human-rights defenders looking to deepen research and policy work.
• Professionals from any sector (law, public policy, tech, social work, environment, media) whose proposed research aligns with the Center’s focus.
• Applicants from around the world — the fellowship is open globally, not limited to U.S. citizens.
3. How to Apply — Key Dates & Requirements
• **Deadline:** February 22, 2026.
• **Fellowship Period:** September 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027.
• **Typical Requirements:** Resume/CV; a research proposal explaining alignment with the Center’s priorities and intended methodology; a short executive summary; two reference contacts; and a writing sample (e.g. article, essay, report).
• **Optional/Additional:** Publication history (if any), plan for funding (if applying to unpaid tracks), and any institutional or personal support details.
Why This Fellowship Stands Out
These fellowships are a rare chance to contribute to human-rights scholarship at a global hub, collaborate with world-class faculty, and — especially in the Racial Justice track — receive financial support. For emerging and established professionals alike, it offers global visibility, academic resources, and a strong platform for change-oriented work.
Tip: If you plan to apply — start drafting your research proposal early, gather strong references, and ensure your project aligns clearly with human-rights, equity, or technology-policy themes relevant to the Center.
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