Human Rights Essay Award 2024 (Fully-funded to American University Washington, USA)

Human Rights Essay Award 2025: The Academy on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law at American University Washington College of Law is proud to request the submission of papers for the Human Rights Essay Award. 

Application Deadline: 3rd February 2025 at 11:59 PM (EST).

Eligible Countries: International

To be taken at (country): USA

About the Human Rights Essay Award: The Human Rights Essay Award is an annual competition sponsored by the Academy to stimulate the production of scholarly work in international human rights law.

The topic for the 2025 award is Human Trafficking and Human Rights

The Academy has chosen the topic of Human Trafficking and Human Rights because it remains critically important and necessitates the ongoing development of legal human rights standards across various international protection systems. This issue can be explored from multiple perspectives, including domestic regulation, criminal legislation, redress mechanisms, root causes, migration dynamics, the operations of criminal networks, among many other aspects. It is noteworthy that this same topic will be addressed during our 30th Inter-American Human Rights Moot Court Competition, which will be celebrated from May 19 to May 23. We have collaborated with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to create a complex yet cutting-edge case. Additionally, participants of the Essay Award can be involved in the Moot Court as judges if they wish.

Participants have the flexibility to choose any subject related to this theme. However, the scope of the essay must directly correspond to the 2025 theme, or it will be disqualified. Additionally, we would like to note that we believe international human rights law includes international humanitarian law and international criminal law.

Type: Award

Eligibility:

• This award is open to all lawyers around the world regardless of their nationality!
• ONLY participants with a law degree Juris Doctor, (J.D.), Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) o equivalent by the submission due date are eligible to enter the competition. 
• Shall have a demonstrated experience or interest in international human rights law.  
• Have the flexibility to choose any subject related to the 2025 topic
• Shall remember the essay must be an academic article with proper citations.

Number of Awards: The Academy will grant two Awards, one for the best article in English and one for the best article in Spanish.

Value of American University Washington Human Rights Essay Award: The Award in each case will consist of:

• A full scholarship to the Program of Advanced Studies on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law for either the Diploma or Certificate of Attendance options
• Travel expenses to and from Washington D.C
• Housing at the university dorms
• Per diem for living expenses
• The best articles may also be published in the American University International Law Review

How to Apply for American University Washington Human Rights Essay Award: 

Submit your Essay here! No emailed entries will be accepted.

The Academy will confirm via e-mail the receipt of all articles submitted. If you do not receive a confirmation within 48 business hours of sending a submission, please contact us to ensure that we received it.

It is important to go through Essay regulations before submitting.

GOODLUCK!

Official Rules

Honor Jury

Winners

American University International Law Review

Go to the page in Spanish