HRE USA- Edmonds Summer Fellowship Grant

The HRE USA 2025 Edmonds Summer Fellowship honors the legacy of Kirby Edmonds by offering young leaders hands-on experience in human rights education. This fellowship provides mentorship and learning opportunities to engage youth in creating human rights-friendly schools and communities. Supported by the Dorothy Cotton Institute, it aims to nurture future leaders committed to human rights advocacy. Eligible candidates must be 18 or older, reside in the U.S., and commit to 100 hours of work between June and August 2025.

In August of 2020, Human Rights Educators USA (HRE USA) lost one of its sustaining sources of inspiration and committed leadership – Kirby Edmonds. He served as Co-Chair of HRE USA for nearly a decade.
In honor of his legacy, HRE USA has created the Edmonds Summer Fellowship to support hands-on leadership experience in human rights education and further Kirby’s work to engage young people in building human rights-friendly schools and communities. Fellows are supported with ongoing mentoring, guidance, and human rights learning opportunities throughout the summer.
The Edmonds Summer Fellowship is supported in partnership with the Dorothy Cotton Institute (DCI) which carries on the legacy of civil rights legend Dorothy F. Cotton. Kirby served DCI as a Senior Fellow and Program Coordinator. DCI’s vision is a just and peaceful beloved community in which all people understand, protect and exercise full human rights. DCI’s Project Director, Laura Branca, said “Our Steering Committee proudly supports the Edmonds Fellowship to nurture young leaders and promote practices that transform individuals, schools and communities, opening new pathways to peace, justice and healing. What a fine way to honor Kirby’s legacy!”

Eligibility

Eligibility:Ability to commit 100 hours between June 1-August 30, 202518 years old or olderReside in the United StatesCommitment to vision and mission of HRE USAProject A: HRE USA Training as Action Series Development & EvaluationProspective Fellow Skills and Attributes: The fellow should be willing to work collaboratively with invested HRE USA members, educators, and partners.The fellow should show a strong knowledge of human rights education & genuine, authentic commitment to issues related to human rights, human rights education, and equity. Project B: HRE USA Fundraising Strategy and Sustainability Project Prospective Fellow Skills and Attributes: The fellow should be willing to work collaboratively with invested HRE USA members, educators, and partners.The fellow should show a genuine and authentic commitment to issues related to human rights, human rights education, and equity.