Human Rights Essay Award 2027 by American University

What is the Human Rights Essay Award?

The Human Rights Essay Award is an annual writing competition run by the Academy on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law at American University Washington College of Law in Washington, DC.

The award encourages lawyers and legal scholars to write academic articles on international human rights law. Each year has a set theme, and participants can write on any subject that fits within it. The Academy also counts international humanitarian law and international criminal law as part of human rights law.

2027 Topic: Democracy, Human Rights and Participation

This year's essays should explore how democracy, human rights, and public participation connect. Your essay needs to link clearly to all three parts of the theme, or it may be disqualified.

Some areas you could write about:

• Judicial independence and the separation of powers
• Political participation of minorities and marginalized groups
• Freedom of expression, press freedom, and civic space
• Election integrity
• Social media, misinformation, and artificial intelligence in democratic life
• Accountability for serious human rights violations
• Restoring democracy and the rule of law after authoritarian rule

You can take a regional, international, comparative, or thematic approach.

Important dates

• Submission deadline: February 3, 2027
• Winners announced: April 1, 2027

Who can apply?

• You must hold a law degree, such as an LL.B., J.D., or equivalent.
• You should have experience in, or a clear interest in, international human rights law.
• Your essay must be an academic legal article with proper citations and references.
• Participants from any country can apply.

What do you get?

• Two winners: one for the best essay in English and one for the best essay in Spanish.
• Each winner gets a full tuition scholarship to the Academy's Program of Advanced Studies on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, for either the Diploma or Certificate of Attendance option.
• The two winning essays and four honorable mentions may be published in the American University International Law Review, a respected academic journal.
• Essay participants can also serve as judges at the 32nd Inter-American Human Rights Moot Court Competition, held May 16–21, 2027.

Note: the scholarship covers tuition only. Travel, housing, and daily living costs are not included.

How to apply

1. Read the official rules on the American University website.
2. Choose a subject that connects democracy, human rights, and participation.
3. Write your essay as an academic legal article with full citations.
4. Submit it through the official online form.
5. Submit before February 3, 2027.

Simple tips

• Make sure your essay clearly links all three parts of the theme. This is the most common reason for disqualification.
• Focus on a specific legal question rather than a broad overview.
• Use strong legal sources: treaties, court decisions, and academic writing.
• You can write in English or Spanish. Choose the language you write in best.
• This award is separate from American University's LL.M. admissions.

Apply here

Ready to submit? Send your essay through the official submission form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe_3gW-kNWBCWth1A7t-nO0DulEkf95YctxF7OrC0pViDbgkQ/viewform

For the full details and official rules, visit: https://www.american.edu/wcl/impact/initiatives-programs/hracademy/award/

World Opportunities Hub is an independent information platform. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by American University or its Washington College of Law. Always verify details on the official website before applying.

Field	Value
Organization	American University Washington College of Law
Region / Country	Washington, DC, United States
Deadline	Feb 3, 2027
Level	Law graduates
Funding	Full tuition scholarship (travel and housing not included)