Instructions and Guidelines
To begin your application, go to apply.humanityinaction.org
What We're Looking For
Fellows will be selected on the basis of their demonstrated commitment to minority rights, evidence of leadership potential, and significant academic achievement. HIA does not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity, religion, political party, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or financial ability.
Eligibility & Restrictions
Applicants to the HIA Fellowship Programs must be enrolled sophomores, juniors, seniors, or recent graduates (May 2008 or later) at accredited, four-year colleges or universities in the United States. HIA seeks applicants who are mature, self-reliant, and comfortable in intensive group activity and interaction. Students of all majors and academic disciplines are encouraged to apply.
Applicants can apply for one or both of the Summer Fellowship Programs, but can only participate in one. Applicants to the European Programs may not apply to a program in a specific country. Rather, they will be placed in one of the five European countries by the HIA staff.
Fees & Expenses
There is a $25 application fee. For those selected to the program, HIA pays for accommodation related to its educational programs. In the 2010 programs, all Fellows will be responsible for financing the cost of airfare to participate in the program. HIA will cover this cost for Fellows with documented need.
Although HIA provides a modest food stipend, Fellows should also plan to bring spending money for food and social activities during the Fellowship Program (approximately $500).
Deadline & Requirements
The deadline for submitting your completed application is January 23, 2010. Incomplete applications and applications received after the deadline will not be considered. All complete applications must include the following:
• A completed application form
• A curriculum vitae or resume
• A college transcript
• A response essay
• A personal statement
• Two letters of recommendation
Confidentiality statement: Information provided in this application will be used solely for the purpose of selecting participants in the HIA Fellowship Programs.
Non-Discrimination: HIA does not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity, religion, political party, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or financial ability.
Details on the Application
To apply, visit apply.humanityinaction.org. Below are details on the requirements
● Application form:
The application form will ask for general contact information, biographical information and information on your education.
● Curriculum vitae or resume:
Check your CV or resume to make sure that it is current and complete. If you have not already done so, this is a good time to consult the career development office on your campus. You will be asked to upload your CV/resume to our system. Make sure that the file size does not exceed 500 KB.
● College transcript:
Please upload a scanned copy of your college transcript in PDF format (If you are unsure how to do this, the best way is to find a friend or campus employee who can help you. Alternatively, there are plenty of resources online with instructions on how to do this, for example http://tinyurl.com/aj32wm. If you cannot obtain an official copy of your transcript, you may upload an unofficial copy, and the official copy will be requested for verification should you be accepted into the program. Any evidence of tampering with the digital transcripts will result in immediate disqualification. If you are a transfer student and have attended more than one undergraduate institution, please upload transcripts for both schools. You do not need to upload transcripts for study abroad programs. Please note that if you are selected as a finalist, you will be required to provide an official transcript via regular mail.
● Response essay:
You will be asked to read two articles and respond. There is no one right answer or perspective. You are invited to agree or disagree with the points of view reflected in the articles. We are interested in thoughtful analysis based upon your own ideas and how you express them. Limit your response to 500 words.
● Personal statement:
The purpose of this personal statement is for you to convey a sense of who you are beyond your accomplishments. In an essay of no more than 500 words, please discuss the kinds of personal experiences that have inspired your commitment to human rights and social justice. Please also address the reasons for applying to the Summer Fellowship Programs, and explain how the fellowship could help you realize some of your personal and professional aspirations.
● Letters of Recommendation:
Two letters of recommendation are required to complete the application. The references should be people who know you well enough, in a professional or academic setting, to speak honestly and effectively about your interests and abilities as they relate to the program goals. At least one letter must be from a college/university teacher or advisor.
Guidelines for requesting letters of recommendation:
STEP 1: Contact your references to verify that they are available and able to write you a letter of recommendation by the application deadline.
STEP 2: Log in to your application page and complete a formal request through our system for each of your references. You will be asked to enter contact information for your reference and click a button to submit the request. When the request has been submitted through our system, HIA will send an email to your reference with instructions on submitting their letter.
STEP 3: Follow up personally with each reference to confirm that they have received the email we sent to them, containing guidelines and instructions for submitting their letter.
Still have questions? Please read our Frequently Asked Questions. If your issue is not addressed there, send an email to admissions@humanityinaction.org. Thank you and good luck!