The Academy on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law at American University Washington College of Law is announcing the Human Rights Essay Award, which is an annual competition sponsored by the Academy that seeks to stimulate the production of scholarly work in international human rights law. Participants have the flexibility to choose any subject related to the assigned topic "The Protection of Migrants under International Human Rights Law". The essay must be a legal article. The Academy will grant two Awards, one for the best article in English and one for the best article in Spanish.

Recipients will be chosen according to the following regulations:

1. Candidates for the Award must hold a law degree and have a demonstrated experience or interest in international human rights law.
2. Past Winners cannot submit essays in future competitions.
3. To apply for the Human Rights Essay Award, candidates must choose a subject pertaining to the topic chosen by the Academy for the year. Participants will have the flexibility to choose any subject related to the substantive law relevant to the field. International human rights law can be understood to include international humanitarian law and international criminal law. The paper must be within the scope of the topic or it will be disqualified.
4. A Candidate for the Award must submit an unpublished legal article/paper in English or Spanish written solely by that candidate.
5. Only one submission will be accepted per applicant in either language. If more than one article is received, it will be left up to the applicant to decide which article to officially submit. Should the applicant not indicate a preference, the first article received by the Academy will be the one considered for the competition.
6. The papers must not exceed 35 pages in length, including footnotes. Essays must use Times New Roman font, 12-point double-spaced for the body of the essay and 10-point single-spaced for footnotes. Character spacing must be set to normal. All essays must be on letter size paper (8.5 x 11 inches/21.59 x 27.94 cm) with 1 inch (2.54 cm) margins all around. Any essay that does not follow the guidelines will be reformatted and 5 points will be taken off. If the essay is longer than 35 pages, it will be automatically disqualified. The essay has to be a legal article; therefore, it will include foot pages and citations. The absence of those will cause that the essay will be disqualified.
7. The acceptable format to cite sources is in single-spaced footnotes.
8. Authors should not put their name or any identifying information in their essays.
9. Essays will only be accepted in Word Format
10. In addition, each participant must also include a curriculum vitae of no more than three pages in length explaining the experience or interest of the author in human rights issues. Please submit the CV as a separate file from your paper.
11. Any appended materials other than a CV will not be accepted. Do not include a bibliography, a list of websites, or any other extra materials. These will be immediately discarded and not considered.

The Award in each case will consist of:

1. A full scholarship to the Program of Advanced Studies on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law for either the Diploma or Certificate of Attendance options
2. Travel expenses to and from Washington D.C.
3. Housing at the university dorms
4. Per diem for living expenses
5. The best articles may also be published in the American University International Law Review

About American University Washington College of Law:

The spirit of the tradition lies in the hearts and minds of their community members, who are dedicated to the professional advancement and well-being of the students and alumni, and who strive to “Champion What Matters,” locally, nationally, and internationally. At American University Washington College of Law, you meet the world where you will practice your profession. The world has become essentially borderless, where economic, political, and social changes require innovative legal analysis and solutions.

They equip the students in unique ways to navigate this new reality. A top law school that provides an excellent legal education in all areas of the law, Washington College of Law has renowned programs in experiential learning (clinics and externships), international law, law and government, intellectual property, health law, business, and gender and the law. These vital programs create an environment rich with opportunities for you.

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ACADEMY ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND HUMANITARIAN LAWat American University Washington College of Lawat American University Washington College of Law