American University Human Rights Essay Award 2026 – YOA

Deadline: February 3, 2026

Applications are open for the American University Human Rights Essay Award 2026. The Human Rights Essay Award is an annual award sponsored by the Academy aimed toward encouraging the manufacturing of educational articles within the area of worldwide human rights legislation. The matter for the 2026 will probably be: The proper to protest beneath worldwide human rights legislation: authorized safety and challenges forward.

Participants have the pliability to decide on any topic associated to this matter. However, the scope of the essay should instantly correspond to the 2026 theme, or will probably be disqualified. Additionally, they want to word that they consider worldwide human rights legislation consists of worldwide humanitarian legislation and worldwide legal legislation.

About the Topic

The Academy has chosen the subject, “The Right to Protest under international human rights law: legal protection and challenges ahead.” In current years, many nations have seen a rise in illegal restrictions on this proper regardless of its universally acknowledged protections. Historically, the precise to protest has been a decisive instrument for securing social progress and democratic transformation. Its safety will not be solely elementary to worldwide human rights legislation, but in addition important to making sure that states stay obligated to respect and safeguard particular person rights and liberties. This difficulty will be explored from a number of views, together with home regulation, legal laws, redress mechanisms, and root causes, amongst others.

It is noteworthy that this similar matter will probably be addressed in the course of the thirty first Inter-American Human Rights Moot Court Competition, which can happen from May 18 to May 22, 2026.

Award

• The Academy will grant two Awards: one for the perfect article in English and one for the perfect article in Spanish, every of which can encompass a full tuition scholarship to the Program of Advanced Studies on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law for both the Diploma or Certificate of Attendance choices (journey, housing and per diem residing bills are usually not included).
• Additionally, the 2 greatest articles and the 4 honorable mentions might also be revealed within the American University International Law Review, which incorporates related and numerous tutorial materials. This prestigious journal receives roughly 1,500 submissions every year and publishes authorized analysis from professors, judges, legal professionals, and famend students.

Eligibility

• Must maintain a legislation diploma, Juris Doctor, (J.D.), Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.), or equal.
• Shall have a demonstrated expertise or curiosity in worldwide human rights legislation.  
• Have the pliability to decide on any topic associated to the 2026 matter: The proper to protest beneath worldwide human rights legislation: authorized safety and challenges forward.
• Must take into account the essay have to be a authorized article quotation sources. 
• The submitted essay have to be an instructional authorized article with correct citations and supply references.

Application

Click here to apply

For extra info, go to American University Human Rights Essay Award.