Undergraduate Funding

As part of our commitment to supporting and recognizing students' achievements in the field of human rights, the Human Rights Program provides an array of awards, financial support, and scholarship opportunities to undergraduate students. 

Human Rights Internships and the Fraser Fellowships 

The Human Rights Program offers two internship opportunities for undergraduate students at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities who seek field experience in leading human rights organizations to complement their academic studies. The selected students intern at leading human rights organizations for the upcoming summer. The interns are also recipients of the Fraser Fellowships. Named after Donald and Arvonne Fraser, two groundbreaking leaders in the defense of international human rights and women’s rights, the Fellowships offer $3,500 in funding each. These Fellowships aim to invest in the next generation of human rights leaders. Learn more about the Fraser Fellowships.

Hrant Dink Memorial Human Rights Scholars Award 

Named after Armenian Turkish journalist and human rights activist Hrant Dink, the Hrant Dink Memorial Human Rights Scholars Award supports an undergraduate student to work with the Director of HRP to conduct research on urgent and emergent human rights emergencies, including the commission of mass atrocity crimes. Research areas may include, but are not limited to, specific situations of mass atrocity (Myanmar, Sudan, Israel-Palestine), thematic topics (human rights & conflict, transnational repression, sexual and gender-based violence), human rights monitoring bodies or mechanisms (NGOs, treaty bodies, regional or international courts), or institutional responses (United Nations Security Council, global responsibility to protect). The Scholar will work with the Director of HRP to determine a research agenda, and will receive research training and mentorship, and a $1500 stipend disbursed over two semesters. Learn more about the Hrant Dink Memorial Human Rights Scholars Award.

Outstanding Service to Human Rights Award

The Outstanding Service to Human Rights Award recognizes a graduating undergraduate student who has demonstrated a commitment to human rights through service to the Human Rights Program, work on a human rights cause, service to others, raising awareness of a human rights issue, and/or promoting human rights programming and community-building on campus. The student will receive an award of $1,000. Learn more about the Outstanding Service to Human Rights Award. 

Human Rights Day Symposium Poster Session Awards

Since 2024, the Human Rights Program and the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies have begun holding an Annual Human Rights Day Symposium to commemorate the day in 1948 when the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The symposium is held in December and includes a student poster session showcasing projects, policies, research, and creative engagement on critical human rights issues. HRP and CHGS are thrilled to offer student awards of up to $1,000 each for poster session participants. Posters will be evaluated based on human rights messaging, persuasiveness of analysis, depth and accuracy of content, and visual engagement. In addition, student presenters will become eligible for funding to present their poster at another professional conference.