University of York Protective Fellowship Scheme for Human Rights Defenders at Risk 2018/2019

 Human rights defenders are invited to come to York for periods ranging from three to six months. During this time they benefit both from time away from a difficult environment, and from educational resources designed to increase their effectiveness and their ability to influence policy and practice when they return home.

Application Deadline: 15th April 2018 (23:59 GMT Sunday).

Offered Annually? Yes

Eligible Countries: All. So far the Centre has hosted 75 defenders from Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Brazil, Burma, Burundi, Chad, China, Colombia, DRC, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Russia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Somaliland, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Uganda, Ukraine, Yemen and Zimbabwe.

To Be Taken At (Country): UK

About the Award: The Centre for Applied Human Rights has run the Protective Fellowship Scheme for Human Rights Defenders at Risk since 2008.

One of the most important elements in bringing about improvements in human rights at a local level is the presence of active human rights defenders. They often find themselves working in hostile environments and without adequate training and support. Over time, the cumulative challenges of working in such an environment can have a negative impact on the individuals concerned and on their contribution to human rights work.

The focus of the Scheme is on defenders who work in difficult environments and have a need for human rights training, including research training, that the Centre can provide.

Type: Fellowship (Professional)

Eligibility: Nominations to the fellowships are accepted from recognised civil society organisations working in human rights and/or specifically with human rights defenders.

Number of Awards: The Centre accepts up to ten human rights defenders as visiting fellows every year.

Value of Award: The benefits are three-fold:

Duration/Timeline of Program: 

• A call for nominations usually goes out in February/March and the fellows are expected to arrive in York in either mid-September or early January.
• The fellowships take place at the University of York and last for a period of three to six months.

How to Apply: 

• For queries regarding the Scheme, please contact Patricia Bartley, the Protective Fellowship Scheme Support Officer (patricia.bartley@york.ac.uk).
• Applications for fellowships can only be made via designated nominating organisations. The Centre cannot consider individual petitions.

Visit the Program Webpage for Details

Award Providers: The Protective Fellowship Scheme for Human Rights Defenders is generously supported by FIDDH, the Sigrid Rausing Trust, the Evan Cornish Foundation, the Alan and Babette Sainsbury Charitable Fund, York Annual Fund and the University of York.