PATRICK STEWART HUMAN RIGHTS SCHOLARSHIPS

Frequently Asked Questions

What is it?

The Patrick Stewart Human Rights Scholarship offers students a unique opportunity to gain practical experience in the field of human rights. This is an excellent opportunity for students to create summer projects that will give them hands-on experience and help develop new activist skills while working on a human rights issue important to them. Projects can be an internship or independent project that benefits an organization working on a human rights issue. Each year scholarships are awarded to approximately 20 promising student activists.

Who is eligible?

- High school, college or graduate students of any nationality attending school in the U.S.
- U.S. citizens studying abroad

What kinds of projects have been conducted?

Since the scholarship program began in 1996, over 150 projects have been completed domestically and in countries around the world. Project topics have been diverse and far-reaching but all share a focus on promoting human rights.

Confront rights abuses where they occur:

- Accompanied returning refugees and displaced people in Guatemala, providing protection and assisting in resettlement
- Worked with community groups to fight police brutality against poor people in Jamaica

Become a leader in the human rights movement:

- Promoted women’s human rights in indigenous communities in Mexico by documenting abuses and conducting workshops
- Strengthened support of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people’s rights in Missouri

Share strategies and inspire others:

- Worked with community-based programs in South Africa to link education, the arts, and human rights
- Produced a documentary about the death penalty in Illinois

Help build a global network of human rights activism:

- Worked with Latino immigrants’ rights organizations in Minnesota
- Worked with Senegalese youth organizations making the connections between HIV/AIDS, poverty, and human rights

How long do projects last?

Projects typically last from four weeks to three months, but exceptions can be made for recipients who wish to pursue longer-term projects. Please note that an award will only cover the summer portion of a project.

How are applications judged?

A panel of human rights experts and former scholars considers a variety of factors when reviewing applications, including:

- Does the project address a human rights need or challenge?
- Does the project represent a young activist’s first-time field experience?
- Is the project reasonable? Will the student be able to conduct it?
- Does the partner organization understand the student’s goals and proposed role?
- Does the student’s volunteer experience show a commitment to human rights?
- Does the student show a commitment to work on human rights when s/he returns?
- Reference

How much money is awarded?

The maximum scholarship is $1,800 to be used for travel, expenses, materials, etc. If projects require additional financial resources beyond the maximum award, applicants are required to list the sources and amount of supplementary monies obtained for completion of the project.

Can I apply if I am graduating this year?

Yes.

Can I do a joint project?

Typically, the scholarships are awarded to individuals; however, we will consider joint proposals that do not exceed $1,800, especially for younger students. Please contact AIUSA’s Membership Resources and Communications Program to discuss your ideas.

When is the deadline?

The application deadline is March 1, 2005 and recipients are notified at the end of April. Students who are interested in applying for the scholarship are encouraged to begin planning and coordinating their projects with organizations well in advance.

How can I apply?

Students may apply for summer 2005 projects online or download the application available at: www.amnestyusa.org/patrickstewart

To ask questions or request a hardcopy of the application contact:

AIUSA Membership Resources & Communications
600 Pennsylvania Ave, SE, 5th Floor
Washington, DC 20003
E-mail: nfp@aiusa.org
Telephone: 202/544-0200 x 290

In your request please include your:

- name
- address
- phone number
- e-mail address