French Republic Human Rights Prize 2026 | €70,000 Grant for Human Rights Projects
Applications are now open for the 2026 French Republic Human Rights Prize “Liberty – Equality – Fraternity”, an international human rights award established in 1988 to recognise and support individual or collective grassroots initiatives that contribute to the promotion and protection of human rights.
The prize, awarded by the Prime Minister of the French Government, is open to individual applicants and non-governmental organisations regardless of nationality or borders.
For the 2026 edition, applicants are invited to submit projects focused on protecting the right to asylum and the fundamental rights of refugees, asylum seekers and displaced persons.
Five winning projects will share a total grant of €70,000 to support the implementation of their projects. The five winners will also be invited to Paris to attend the official award ceremony and will receive a medal.
The application deadline is 4 October 2026 at midnight (GMT+1).
About the French Republic Human Rights Prize
The French Republic Human Rights Prize “Liberty – Equality – Fraternity” was established in 1988.
The prize is intended to recognise and support grassroots initiatives carried out in France or abroad that contribute to the promotion or protection of human rights.
Applications may be submitted by individuals or organisations, and applicants are not required to be French nationals.
The award is administered through the National Consultative Commission on Human Rights (CNCDH).
2026 Prize Theme
The single theme for the 2026 edition is:
Protecting the Right to Asylum and the Fundamental Rights of Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Displaced Persons
Applicants must submit an action or project that addresses this theme and is intended to be implemented in France or another country.
The 2026 theme focuses on protecting the right to asylum and ensuring that people affected by forced displacement can effectively access their fundamental rights.
Background to the 2026 Theme
The right to asylum provides protection to people who are unable to rely on the protection of their own country.
The right is recognised under international refugee law, including the 1951 Geneva Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol.
The call for applications also refers to Article 14 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which recognises the right to seek and enjoy asylum from persecution.
The 2026 call highlights the importance of strengthening legal systems that protect the right to asylum and incorporate international human rights and refugee law into domestic legislation.
The call also notes the scale of forced displacement around the world.
According to figures cited in the call from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), there were 117.3 million forcibly displaced people worldwide at the end of June 2025, including recognised refugees, asylum seekers and internally displaced people.
Who Can Submit an Application?
Applications can be submitted by:
- Individuals
- Non-governmental organisations
- Organisations implementing human-rights-based projects
- Applicants of any nationality
The applicant must have a project or action related to guaranteeing the right to asylum and protecting the fundamental rights of people experiencing forced displacement.
Projects may concern refugees covered by the Geneva Convention, asylum seekers whose applications are being examined, or people displaced within their own countries.
What Types of Projects Are Eligible?
The prize is intended for projects based on a human-rights approach that seek to guarantee the right to asylum and fundamental rights.
Particular consideration will be given to projects that:
- Provide comprehensive support to affected individuals
- Implement transformative and restorative measures
- Ensure the active participation of people directly concerned by the project
The projects should focus on rights protection, advocacy, legal support or related activities rather than direct material assistance.
Examples of Eligible Projects
The 2026 call identifies several types of projects that may be considered.
Public Awareness and Advocacy
Projects may raise public awareness about asylum and refugee rights or undertake advocacy directed at public authorities.
Such initiatives could seek to improve understanding of legal protections and promote policies or practices that protect the rights of displaced people.
Legal and Administrative Assistance
Projects may provide legal and administrative assistance to refugees, asylum seekers and internally displaced persons.
This may include helping people effectively access rights such as:
- Residence rights
- Fair procedures
- Access to justice
- Civil and political rights
- Economic rights
- Social rights
- Cultural rights
Projects should be connected to rights guaranteed under applicable international instruments.
Training for Stakeholders
Eligible initiatives may provide training to stakeholders involved in asylum and displacement matters.
Potential participants may include:
- Border police
- Government administrations
- Health services
- Social services
- Other professionals involved in asylum procedures
The objective can be to strengthen understanding and implementation of human rights obligations.
Integration, Resettlement and Restoration of Rights
Projects may support the effective exercise of rights associated with integration into host societies.
They may also address resettlement or the restoration of rights for internally displaced people.
Prize and Financial Award
Five projects will be selected as winners.
The five winners will share a total grant of:
€70,000
The grant is allocated by the National Consultative Commission on Human Rights (CNCDH) for implementation of the winning projects.
The five winners will also receive a medal and may refer to themselves as laureates of the 2026 French Republic Human Rights Prize.
Special Mentions
In addition to the five winners, the next five highest-ranked candidates will receive a Special Mention medal.
The Special Mention is awarded by the Ambassador of France in the recipient’s country of origin.
Special Mention recipients do not receive a financial award.
Prize winners and Special Mention recipients may also benefit from international protection afforded by French diplomacy.
Award Ceremony
The five prize winners will be invited to Paris, France, to attend the official award ceremony.
The 2026 Prize is expected to be formally awarded around 10 December 2026, which is International Human Rights Day.
The award will be presented by the Prime Minister or another Minister of the French Republic.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit a complete application file.
The application must include the following:
1. Letter of Application
Applicants must provide a signed letter of application.
For an NGO, the letter must be submitted and signed by the organisation’s President or legal representative.
Individual applicants must submit and sign their own application letter.
2. Completed Application Form
Applicants must complete the official application form provided with the call for applications.
The form provides detailed information about the activities carried out by the applicant or organisation.
The application form is available through the CNCDH website.
3. Postal and Banking Details
Applicants must provide their postal and banking information.
This includes the relevant RIB/IBAN details of the NGO or individual applicant.
Language of the Application
The application file should be drafted in French.
However, the call states that applications submitted in English or Spanish may be considered at the discretion of the jury.
Applicants who can submit their application in French should follow the stated language requirement.
Application Deadline
The complete application must be submitted no later than:
4 October 2026 at midnight (GMT+1)
Applications received after the deadline may not be considered.
Applicants should therefore allow sufficient time to complete the application form, prepare supporting information and submit the complete application file.
How to Apply
Applicants should:
- Review the 2026 French Republic Human Rights Prize theme.
- Confirm that their project addresses the protection of asylum rights and the fundamental rights of refugees, asylum seekers or displaced persons.
- Review the official Prize Rules.
- Download and complete the official application form.
- Prepare the required signed application letter.
- Prepare the applicant’s postal and banking details, including RIB/IBAN.
- Prepare the application in French, where possible.
- Submit the complete application before the deadline.
Applications can be submitted by post or email.
Postal Submission
CNCDH – For the attention of Mrs. Cécile RIOU-BATISTA
20 avenue de Ségur
75007 Paris
France
Email Submission
prixdesdroitsdelhomme@cncdh.fr
Important Application Information
Applicants should carefully review the official Prize Rules before submitting their applications.
The official rules and application information are available through the CNCDH website.
Applicants should also ensure that their proposed project is clearly connected to the 2026 theme and focuses on human rights protection rather than direct material assistance.
Conclusion
The 2026 French Republic Human Rights Prize “Liberty – Equality – Fraternity” provides an opportunity for individuals and NGOs to gain recognition and financial support for projects protecting the rights of refugees, asylum seekers and displaced persons.
The 2026 edition focuses specifically on protecting the right to asylum and the fundamental rights of refugees, asylum seekers and displaced persons.
Five selected winners will share €70,000 for the implementation of their projects and will be invited to Paris for the official award ceremony. Five additional candidates will receive Special Mention medals without a financial award.
Eligible applicants should prepare their project information, application letter, official application form and required banking and postal details before submitting their complete application.
The application deadline is 4 October 2026 at midnight (GMT+1).
Discover more opportunities on the OFY Webpage.
Share this:
Discover more from Opportunities for Youth
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
