Applications for the 2026/2027 fellowship cohorts at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Carr-Ryan Center for Human Rights Policy are now officially open, with a deadline of February 22, 2026. These prestigious fellowships spanning Human Rights, Global Rights, Racial Justice, and Technology & Human Rights offer a rare opportunity for scholars, practitioners, advocates, and researchers to engage in advanced study, collaborative exchange, and rigorous human rights oriented inquiry.

Each fellowship is designed to deepen global conversations on human rights, racial equity, technology, and justice. Fellows join a vibrant intellectual community, engage with Harvard faculty, participate in seminars and public programming, and develop cutting-edge research projects that contribute meaningfully to global policy and academic discourse.

While several fellowships are unpaid affiliations, the Racial Justice Fellowship offers a $10,000 stipend. All programs run for one academic year (September 1 – June 30) and welcome both emerging and established professionals in the field.

Below is a comprehensive guide to all open fellowship programs for 2026–2027, including eligibility, requirements, application links, and deadlines.

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1. Carr-Ryan Center Fellowship (Unpaid, Non-Residential)

Program Overview

The Carr-Ryan Center Fellowship invites individuals committed to advancing human rights scholarship or practice to join a year-long affiliation with the Center. Fellows may:

• Conduct research and writing
• Audit Harvard Kennedy School classes
• Meet faculty and visiting experts
• Lead student study groups
• Participate in conferences, workshops, and public lectures

This fellowship is unpaid, and candidates typically secure external funding through their home institutions, employers, or grants.

Fellowship Term:
September 1 – June 30 (one academic year)

Residency:
Primarily non-residential; limited shared office space may be available.

Eligibility

Applicants may be:

• Post-doctoral scholars
• Academics on sabbatical
• Human rights defenders
• Senior leaders in international organizations
• Heads of human rights NGOs
• Researchers or practitioners aligned with Carr-Ryan Center priorities

Both emerging and established professionals are welcome.

Required Application Materials

1. Resume/CV
2. Research proposal (up to 3 pages) including:
   • Alignment with Center research priorities
   • Relevant faculty collaborators
   • Applicant qualifications
3. Executive summary (up to 200 words)
4. Two references (names & contact information only)
5. Relevant writing sample (up to 10 pages)
6. List of prior publications or professional outputs (links or up to 3 attachments)

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2.Human Rights Fellowship 

Program Overview

The Global Human Rights Fellowship is a year-long program for researchers, practitioners, and advocates advancing rights worldwide. Fellows work on policy-relevant research and culminate their fellowship by presenting at the Research Symposium in Cambridge, MA.

Fellows may also audit classes, engage with Harvard faculty, lead study groups, and participate in public programming at the Kennedy School.

Term:
September 1 – June 30

Eligibility and Expectations

Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to human rights research or practice. Emerging and established candidates from any discipline may apply.

Fellows must commit to:

Monthly Participation

• Attend one monthly Zoom cohort meeting
• Engage in peer feedback & group discussion

Research Development

• Present their work at least three times (ideas, findings, drafts)
• Share materials in advance for group review

Spring Symposium

• Present final project at the  Research Symposium

The fellowship is unpaid and primarily non-residential. Limited shared office space may be available.

Required Application Materials

• Resume/CV
• Research proposal (up to 3 pages)
• Executive summary (up to 200 words)
• Two references (contact details only)
• Writing sample (up to 10 pages)
• List of publications or comparable deliverables

Required Prompt Responses

Applicants must address:

1. Intended impact of research on  activists, communities, or policymakers
2. Residency needs, if any
3. Funding sources (fellowship is unpaid)

Personal Information Section

Applicants must also provide:

• First & last name
• Email and phone number
• Current institution and position
• Gender identity & pronouns
• Mailing address

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3. Racial Justice Fellowship (Includes $10,000 Stipend)

Program Overview

The Racial Justice Fellowship focuses on transforming systems and institutions to advance racial and economic equity. Fellows from a wide range of sectors including academia, civil society, business, technology, human rights, and public interest technology design and execute research aligned with the Center’s priorities.

This is the only fellowship that includes direct financial support.

Funding:
$10,000 stipend for the academic year
Other expenses are unfunded, though limited travel subsidies may be available.

Term:
September 1 – June 30

Residency:
Primarily non-residential; limited office space may be available.

Fellow Responsibilities

• Conduct independent research
• Participate in periodic Zoom meetings with faculty
• Engage with other fellows
• Present their work for feedback
• Share research outputs for publication and promotion by the Center

Fellows are expected to travel to Cambridge, MA for an in-person convening, with limited travel assistance available.

Eligibility

Open to:

• Post-docs
• Scholars
• Academics on sabbatical
• Human rights defenders
• Senior NGO or international organization leaders
• Practitioners with research relevant to racial and economic justice

Research must align closely with the Center’s priorities.

Application Requirements

1. Resume/CV
2. Research proposal (up to 3 pages)
3. Executive summary (up to 200 words)
4. Two references
5. Writing sample (up to 10 pages)
6. List of publications

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4. Technology & Human Rights Fellowship 

Program Overview

The Technology & Human Rights Fellowship explores how technological developments—especially AI, surveillance capitalism, and digital governance—shape human rights protections.

Jointly directed by Professor Mathias Risse and Professor Shoshana Zuboff, this fellowship builds on the foundational work from:

• Zuboff’s The Age of Surveillance Capitalism (2019)
• Zuboff’s paper Surveillance Capitalism or Democracy? (2022)
• Risse’s Political Theory of the Digital Age (2023)

Term:
September 1 – June 30

Funding:
Unpaid, but travel subsidies provided for on-campus convenings.

Residency:
Primarily virtual, with required on-campus convenings each semester.

Fellow Activities

• Attend virtual cohort meetings twice per month
• Join on-campus convenings once per semester
• Present drafts and work-in-progress
• Engage with faculty, experts, and students
• Audit classes and participate in Harvard learning activities

Eligibility

Open to scholars, theorists, researchers, technologists, and practitioners whose projects align with the fellowship’s intellectual priorities.

Past fellows include researchers from diverse fields such as:

• Law
• Journalism
• Healthcare
• Education
• Human rights
• Technology policy

Proposal Requirements

(Up to 3 pages)

1. Background and context of research problem
2. Alignment with Center priorities
3. Anticipated impact & applicant qualifications
4. Executive summary (200 words)
5. Two references
6. Writing sample (up to 5 pages)
7. List of publications (links or attachments)

Apply by February 22, 2026.

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HOW TO APPLY TO ALL PROGRAMS

General Application Steps

1. Visit the official application portal via the links provided for each fellowship.
2. Prepare all required materials in PDF format.
3. Submit your application by 11:59 PM EST, February 22, 2026.
4. Do not contact the Center directly due to high application volume.
5. All applications undergo review by the Dean of the Harvard Kennedy School.
6. Fellowships do not lead to staff or faculty positions.

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Important Dates

Event	Date
Application Opens	Now Open
Deadline	February 22, 2026
Fellowship Start	September 1, 2026
Fellowship End	June 30, 2027

 

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A Transformative Opportunity for Global Changemakers

The Carr-Ryan Center Fellowships at Harvard Kennedy School provide an unparalleled opportunity for scholars, activists, and practitioners to shape global dialogues on human rights, racial justice,  rights, and technology. Whether funded or unfunded, each fellowship offers world-class academic engagement, mentorship, intellectual collaboration, and visibility for your work.

With applications open until February 22, 2026, this is an excellent opportunity for individuals ready to contribute meaningfully to human rights research and global policy development.

Apply now