Outstanding Service to Human Rights Award

The Outstanding Service to Human Rights Award recognizes a graduating undergraduate student who has demonstrated outstanding service to the Human Rights Program, dedication to the field of human rights, and/or made significant contributions to human rights-related programming and activities at the University of Minnesota and/or in the greater Twin Cities community. The student will receive an award of $1,000.

Eligibility 

Students are eligible to be considered for this award if they are:

1. Attending the University of Minnesota Twin Cities 
2. Seeking an undergraduate degree 
3. Enrolled in the College of Liberal Arts (CLA)
4. Planning to graduate in the spring of the award year 
5. Able to demonstrate academic merit with priority for students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher
6. Priority will be given to students able to demonstrate service to the Human Rights Program. Applicants may also demonstrate a commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights through: 
   1. Dedication to the field of human rights, and/or contributions to human rights related programming and activities at the University of Minnesota and/or in the greater Twin Cities community;
   2. Significant work on a human rights cause during their time as an undergraduate;
   3. Raising the visibility of a particular human rights issue among the University community or the broader public;
   4. Service to others relating to human rights; and/or 
   5. Promoting human rights programming on campus and building community around human rights 

Nomination Process 

Faculty, staff, and peers at the University of Minnesota may nominate an eligible undergraduate student for the award. Alternatively, students may self-nominate. 

Nominations from faculty/staff/peers: 

Nominators should submit: 

• Letter of recommendation of 750 words or less answering the following questions (letter must be from a faculty, staff, or supervisor): 
  • How did you come to know the nominee and their work? 
  • How has the student demonstrated their commitment to human rights and contributed to human rights efforts and the human rights community during their time at the University of Minnesota? 
  • Why do you believe this student is worthy of consideration for this award?
• Résumé of the nominated student; 
• Personal statement of 750 words or less by the nominated student; and 
• Student’s unofficial transcript (can also be submitted separately by the student) 

Self-nominations: 

Self-nominations should include: 

• Personal statement of 750 words or less
• Résumé
• Unofficial transcript 
• Letter of recommendation from faculty, staff, or supervisor, of 750 words or less, answering the following questions: 
  • How did you come to know the nominee and their work? 
  • How has the student demonstrated their commitment to human rights and contributed to human rights efforts and the human rights community during their time at the University of Minnesota? 
  • Why do you believe this student is worthy of consideration for this award?

How to Apply

Applications are open for undergraduate students graduating this spring. Submit your nomination through this form.

Applications will be accepted through Monday, March 30, 2026.

Post Award Requirements

The student who receives this award will agree to send at least one photo of themself to the Human Rights Program and participate in an interview for a feature on the program website. Additionally, the student will submit a brief (no more than 300 words) update on their work and study related to human rights and the environment six months after the Fellowship is awarded.

Past Recipients