DISABILITY RIGHTS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM 2020

Deadline: 6 January 2020
Open to: citizens of Ethiopia, Lesotho, Sudan, South Sudan; Czech Republic, Georgia, or Ukraine with experience in the legal profession or advocacy focusing on human/disability rights
Benefits: fully funded

The Disability Rights Scholarship Program provides yearlong awards for master’s degree study to disability rights advocates, lawyers, and educators to develop new legislation, jurisprudence, policy, research, and scholarship to harness the innovations and opportunities offered by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

With the knowledge and networks gained through the program, we expect that fellows will deepen their understanding of international law and education, with a focus on disability rights, and gain the tools necessary to engage in a range of CRPD implementation strategies, such as: challenging rights violations in their home countries by drafting enforceable legislation consistent with the CRPD; utilizing enforcement mechanisms set forth in the Convention; taking forward disability rights litigation requesting CRPD-compliant remedies; engaging in disability rights advocacy; and developing law, education, or other academic curricula informed by the CRPD.

Eligibility Criteria

The program does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, or disability. Candidates with disabilities are particularly encouraged to apply. The competition is merit-based and open to those meeting the following criteria:

be a citizen and legal resident Ethiopia, Lesotho, Sudan, South Sudan; Czech Republic, Georgia, or Ukraine at the time of application
have work experience in the legal profession or advocacy focusing on human/disability rights
have an excellent academic record with a bachelor of laws (LLB; in exceptional circumstances, those without a LLB but with substantial relevant experience may be considered)—a degree must be awarded by the application deadline
have demonstrated leadership in the field of disability rights
be proficient in spoken and written English or French and able to meet university-designated minimum scores on standardized language tests
be able to participate in an intensive academic writing program in July–August 2020
be able to begin the graduate program in August or September 2020
be able to receive and maintain visa or study permit required by host country
demonstrate a clear commitment to return to home country to contribute to advancing the inclusion and full participation of persons with disabilities in their communities

Ineligibility Criteria

Employees of the Open Society Foundations and employees of local administering organizations (and their immediate family members) who are directly involved in the administration of scholarships are not eligible, nor are individuals receiving other Open Society Foundations–funded support during the fellowship period.

Guidelines

For further details, see the complete guidelines and submit an application online, or contact the appropriate regional coordinator below.

Apply Online

Regional Coordinators

Residents of Ethiopia, Lesotho, Sudan, or South Sudan

Jehoshaphat Njau
Project Coordinator, Disability Rights Unit Centre for Human Rights
Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria
Pretoria, 002, South Africa
Tel: +27 (0)12 420 6345
Fax: +27 (0)86 580 5743
Email: jehoshaphat.njau@up.ac.za
Website: www.chr.up.ac.za

Residents of Czech Republic, Georgia, or Ukraine:

Disability Rights Scholarship Program
Open Society Foundations
Scholarship Programs
224 W. 57th St.
New York, NY 10019 USA
Tel: +1-212-548-0175
Email: drsp@infoscholar.org