Deadline: November 1, 2012 (Nomination deadline) and December 15, 2012 (Application deadline)
Open to: A frontline human rights activist who works on problems created by or associated with internment and displacement, internationally
Fellowship: The Fellow will receive a stipend and College fringe benefits, plus round-trip transportation from the fellow’s home site, a two-bedroom apartment, use of a car, and meals on campus.
Description
The Oak Fellowship annually offers an opportunity for one prominent activist in international human rights to take a sabbatical leave from front-line work to spend the fall semester (September – December) in residence at Colby College in Waterville, Maine. This provides the fellow time for respite, reflection, research, and writing. In addition to conducting his or her own research, the fellow will teach one seminar on his or her work area or expertise. Following the period of the award the fellow is expected to return home to continue human rights work.
The Oak Institute seeks a frontline human rights activist who works on problems created by or associated with internment and displacement internationally, for residence at Colby in the fall of 2013 and is pleased to issue a call for nominations for the 2013 Oak Human Rights Fellowship.
The focus of this year’s search is on the protection of the human rights of interned or displaced persons. We are particularly looking for those human rights practitioners involved in the protection of the international legal rights and basic needs of prisoners of war, civilians detained during occupation or as the result of political violence or states of emergency, and refugees and internally displaced persons fleeing from civil violence, political repression or economic dislocation.
The Oak Institute especially encourages applications from those who are currently or were recently involved in on-the-ground work at some level of personal risk and are in need of respite.
Benefits
The Fellow will receive a stipend and College fringe benefits, plus round-trip transportation from the fellow’s home site, a two-bedroom apartment, use of a car, and meals on campus. The Fellow will also receive research support, including office space, secretarial support, computer and library facilities, and a student assistant. The Fellowship is awarded for the fall semester (September through December) each year. Following the period of the award, the fellow is expected to return to her or his human rights work.
Eligibility
- The Oak Human Rights Fellowship is designed for one human rights professional who is doing on-the ground work at some level of personal risk.
- The Fellowship is designed for people doing human rights work outside the United States. A U.S.-based candidate might be eligible if (a) his or her base of operations was in the U.S. while substantial work was done abroad, or (b) if he or she worked on an issue in the United States and other countries.
- The Fellow must have a functional level of verbal ability in English. The Fellow is required to lead a seminar class that meets once a week and the discussion will take place in English.
The fellowship is opened to all countries.
How to Apply
The Oak Institute for Human Rights requires three items:
- A completed application form, which also requires a personal statement
- Your most recent resume
- Two letters of reference
You can submit your application on-line HERE. You have additional instructions about the application process in the application form. Applications can also be submitted by fax: 207-859-5229 or by e-mail, either as an attachment or in the body of the message. Email or electronically through the application box on the website is the preferred method of submission. However, paper applications mailed through the postal service are also acceptable. If you have any questions about the application, please visit this page.
November 1, 2012: Nomination deadline
December 15, 2012: Application deadline
December 2012 – January 2013: Review of applications and research on candidates
February 2013: Selection committee meetings to select final candidates
Late February – Early March 2013: Phone interviews with finalists
April 15 2013: Decision notification to all applicants
The November deadline for nominations is not firm. A person may indeed apply directly without a nomination. The deadline for applications, however, is strict. We must receive all applicant materials by December 15. If you come from a part of the world where mail to North America is slow, you are strongly recommended to e-mail or fax your application or send it by an international courier.
