Question 1

Am I eligible?

Accepted Answer

The CCIL will award up to three fellowships to enable selected individuals to begin or to continue graduate studies at a reputable academic institution in Canada or abroad. Priority will be given to individuals who are entering or about to enter graduate studies. At least one fellowship may be awarded to an individual enrolled in a master's program (or equivalent).

The following individuals may apply for a John Peters Humphrey Fellowship:

You are currently in an undergraduate law program (in a Canadian law school) that will be completed soon. 
You already hold an undergraduate degree in law (from a Canadian law school) and are about to embark on graduate studies (master's or doctorate) or are already enrolled in a graduate program.
For people who do not have a Bachelors in law, in this case, you must be enrolled in a graduate degree/program in Canada in political science disciplines (or the equivalent).

Do not apply if you are in your first year of law school.

Question 2

What is the selection committee looking for?

Accepted Answer

The Selection Committee will base its decisions on academic achievement, proposed program of study, letters of recommendation and other information included in the application package.

Eligibility

You are currently in an undergraduate law program that will be completed soon. Do not apply if you are in your first year of law school.
You already have an undergraduate degree in law, and are about to embark on graduate studies (master's or doctorate) or are already enrolled in a graduate program.
For people who do not have a Bachelors in law, in this case, you must be enrolled in a graduate degree/program in political science or the equivalent.

Program of Study

The selection committee is interested in what you want to do with your funding - the field of study project. The committee is interested in projects that fall within the scope of international human rights law or international organization.
Your project must relate to Prof. Humphrey's international legal interests. You should find a way to relate your project to what Prof. Humphrey has accomplished.
Your career goals - is the project consistent with your life mission or career plan?

Your professional situation and the existence of other grants.

This is not in itself an eligibility criterion, but potentially a disqualifying criterion for funding in the end, as you must declare other scholarships. Funding is reserved for full-time students. The Humphrey Fellowship is not intended to finance expenses already covered by other bursaries you may have won. For example, if another scholarship is already paying your tuition fees, you won't be able to use that portion, but you will be entitled to living expenses and the title of Humphrey Recipient. Think carefully.

Proof of excellence

The committee will examine evidence of excellence in your entire application, not just your proposed program of study. It looks for evidence of academic excellence (transcripts); professional and extracurricular excellence (e.g. CV, letters of recommendation); writing excellence by consulting your excerpt; and the overall presentation of your application.

Letters of recommendation, in particular, will enable the committee to better understand your record in general, as well as your achievements in their specific context. Choose people who can adequately complement your file and testify to your excellence in an honest and unbiased way.

Required material

It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the application package is complete. An incomplete application will NOT be submitted to the Selection Committee.

The application form can be completed in English or French.
The application form must be clear and legible.
Respect the spaces provided on the form. 
Respect the maximum word limits. *
Respect the submission deadline for receipt of all documents.

* The word limit may be increased by 20% if the application is written in French due to linguistic differences between English and French.

Question 3

Helpful Tips

Accepted Answer

Once the Humphrey application process opens, promptly request that your three reference letters and official transcripts be sent directly to CCIL by the application deadline. Since these documents are submitted by the referees and institutions, you may have limited control over timing and you do not want to miss the submission deadline.

Letters of Reference
Three letters of recommendation must be sent directly to the CCIL by the respondents. The letters must be written on the respondents’ institutional letterhead and signed (a digital signature is acceptable). The letter can be sent via email (PDF) or mail (duly postmarked) or forwarded in a sealed envelope to the applicant to be included in the application package without modification. The Guidelines for Referees can be found on page A-1 of the application form.

Official Transcripts
Official transcripts from each post-secondary institution attended must be sent to the CCIL by the institution via email (PDF) or mail (duly postmarked) or forwarded in a sealed envelope to the applicant to be included in the application package without modification. Unofficial transcript will not be accepted.

Question 4

Can Canadian students registered in foreign universities apply?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Canadians registered in a foreign university can apply, but they must first hold a degree from a Canadian law school.

Question 5

Can foreign students studying in Canada apply?

Accepted Answer

Yes, foreign students studying in Canada may apply, but they must be currently enrolled in a Canadian program.

Question 6

Is the Fellowship available for non-Canadian students who are currently studying elsewhere but wish to pursue a Masters in Law in Canada?

Accepted Answer

No. Foreign students must be currently registered in a Canadian program.

Question 7

Would a Canadian resident who has graduated from a Canadian law faculty at the undergraduate level, but who graduated from a University outside of Canada at the Master level be eligible to apply?

Accepted Answer

Yes

Question 8

I am currently pursuing my third semester as a LLM student in International Law at the Université de Montréal. I started my graduate’s degree in January.  Could I apply for the Fellowship even though I already began my graduate studies? Should I wait until next year when I will be preparing my admission in a PhD program in International Law?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you are eligible to apply. Applicants must be in a position to begin within the next few months or to continue a full-time graduate program in the field of international human rights law or international organization.

Question 9

I have been a Ph.D student in law at Université Laval since the fall (full-time). Does my situation meet the criteria “or to continue a full-time graduate program” mentioned in the bursary document?

Accepted Answer

Yes

Question 10

Are part-time programs eligible? I am applying for the MSc in International Human Rights Law at the University of Oxford. The program runs all year for two years, so students will be regularly engaged in the program.

Accepted Answer

Must be in full-time studies.  For example, someone working full-time cannot apply unless they are in full-time studies.

Question 11

I will be completing the last semester of my law school when I begin a master's in International Human Rights Law. Is this okay with the committee?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can be in your last session. You could be in your undergrad program.

Question 12

Is a post-doctorate level eligible?

Accepted Answer

No

Question 13

Are articling law students eligible to apply?

Accepted Answer

No

Question 14

Concerning the writing sample in section E.1 of the form (i.e. text presented in a course or published). Given that I have already passed the end course review and the review of my thesis project, am I allowed to submit directly a copy of my thesis project of maximum 25 pages as required?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and a maximum of 25 pages.

Question 15

Does the 1000-word limit for the thesis proposal include citations?

Accepted Answer

Yes

Question 16

How recent should the writing sample be? And must it be human right focused?

Accepted Answer

The most recent the better.  The selection committee is assessing your writing skills and interest.  It is possible, if you are just starting in the fields, it may not be human-right focused, provide text from university.

Question 17

Would a published piece be a good writing sample? Or would the preference be an unpublished piece?

Accepted Answer

Either one, however, a published sample demonstrates a higher quality of text.

If your paper has already been published, the reviewing process will be considered when we analyze it. But you can also submit a paper that you wish to publish or that has not been published.

Question 18

When talking about post-secondary transcripts, would you like to also have CEGEP transcripts if applicable?

Accepted Answer

Yes, all post-secondary transcripts (college and /or university)

Question 19

For universities that don’t have an automated transcript-sending service, can our transcripts be sent to CCIL by a member of staff at the university?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If the institution does not have automated-transcript services, they must send the official transcripts to the CCIL by mail (duly postmarked) or forwarded in a sealed envelope to the applicant to be included in the application package without modification.

Question 20

Are applications from previous applicants encouraged? Is there any preference as to whether applicants are already enrolled in their university program or not?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it is encouraged!  If your application wasn’t accepted the first time, you can apply again (as your application may improve). Do not hesitate to apply several times.

Question 21

When will I be notified on the status of my application?

Accepted Answer

The Selection Committee generally makes its decision by April 1st of the following year. Selected candidates will be contacted by email and their names will be posted on the CCIL’s website. Unsuccessful applicants will be notified by email.

Question 22

If am a successful fellowship recipient, when should I expect to receive the stipend and tuition fees?

Accepted Answer

Tuition is paid directly to the University for the Fall semester (end of August to early September). The tuition amount will vary in accordance with the amount of your tuition covered by other scholarships and like awards (i.e. the Humphrey Fellowship fund will pay the portion of your tuition not covered by other scholarships, up to the maximum of $10,000 (Canadian dollars). CCIL will pay the portion of your tuition costs directly to the institution upon receipt of the relevant invoices.

Stipends are paid directly to the recipient. CCIL will pay the $10,000 (Canadian dollars) for living expenses in two installments. An initial installment in late August and, upon receipt of the two Mid-term reports, a second installment in early January.

John Peters Humphrey Fellowship Application

FAQs - Frequently asked questions