Application Instructions

The application to the 2012 HIA Fellowship is now closed. Applications for the 2013 HIA Fellowship will be available in the fall of 2012.

Beginning Your Application

HIA accepts applications through our online application system at apply.humanityinaction.org.

To begin your application, please create a new user account. If you applied to the HIA Fellowship last year, you may use your existing login credentials.

Once you are registered, you will have access to the complete application, including the 2012 personal statement and response essay questions.

Please note that all application materials must be submitted through apply.humanityinaction.org, including university transcripts. HIA will not accept hard copies of application materials.

Deadline

The deadline for submitting your completed application is 11:59 PST on January 9, 2012. Incomplete applications and applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

Application Requirements

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

Details on the Application

  • Application form: The application form asks for general contact information, biographical information and information on your education.
  • Program dates: Please indicate whether are you applying for the programs taking place from June 1 to July 1, 2012 and/or from June 25 to July 22, 2012. You are eligible to apply for both program dates or either one.
  • 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 several essays 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. Please visit the application to see this year's topic and instructions. Limit your response to 500 words.
  • 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 [at] humanityinaction.org.

Application Fee

There is a $35 application fee. Your application will not be considered complete until the fee is submitted through PayPal.

Please make sure you receive a receipt from PayPal to verify payment of the application fee. We recommend that you keep a copy of your receipt for your records.