The International Human Rights Internship Programme's (IHRIP) mission and work are based on the belief that human rights activists have knowledge and skills, as a result of their day-to-day work, that are important to the success not only of their own work, but the work of other activists and organisations, whether in their own or in other countries and regions. The internships are based on the idea that the human rights movement in specific countries, regions, and internationally is strengthened through the exchange of knowledge, experience, and expertise. In line with this conviction of IHRIP, it makes grants available to human rights organisations in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, the Caribbean, East and Central Europe, and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries to enable their staff to undertake professional development exchange projects.


A project can be one of the following:

• A professional attachment, through which a staff member from an organisation in one country serves as a temporary staff member of a host organisation in another country, acquiring on-the-job training in a specific area of work or skill.
• An on-site training, in which an individual from one country who has particular experience and expertise in a specific area of work provides training to the staff of an organisation in another country.
• A study tour, through which a staff member from an organisation learns more about a specific area of work or about a particular strategy or approach to work by visiting and consulting with two or more human rights or human rights-related institutions in one or more other countries.

A grant covers the travel of the staff member or trainer as well as a basic living stipend and health insurance for the staff member (or trainer). Grants vary depending on the location and length of the project, and typically range from US$1,000-10,000.



The deadlines for application are August 31 and December 31 2008.

Click here and select "Professional Development and Exchange Projects" for more information. For an application, please email ihrip@iie.org