Open Society Foundation Disability Rights Scholarship Program 2018 for Africans (Fully Funded)

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 of China,  Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, Sudan, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Mexico, or Peru 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 summer 2018
• be able to begin the graduate program in August or September 2018
• be able to receive and maintain visa or study permit required by host country
• demonstate a clear commitment to return to home country to contribute to advancing the inclusion and full participation of persons with disabilities in their communities

Participating Institutions

Fellows will be clustered if possible at select institutions that demonstrate cutting-edge capacity for legal education in international disability rights, and that are interested in forming a consortium of schools dedicated to developing this field and deepening their own capacity with an international perspective.  In nurturing such a network, the Program strives to encourage faculties to incorporate disability rights into existing human rights curricula and participate in collaboratively-designed workshops and research efforts in the field.   Participating schools include:

• Faculty of Law, McGill University, Canada
• School of Law, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
• School of Law, University of Leeds, UK
• College of Law, Syracuse University, USA
• Washington College of Law, American University, USA

Fellowship worth:

The fellowship provides:

• tuition and mandatory university fees;
• monthly stipend for room, board, and other living expenses;
• program-related travel;
• accident and health insurance during the program;
• funds for educational materials and professional development;
• all costs associated with pre-academic summer program and annual conference;
• support for students with disabilities to obtain reasonable accommodations necessary for participating in the program of study.