Apply for the Danish Institute for Human Rights Fully Funded Global Visiting Researcher Programme 2026
The Danish Institute for Human Rights has announced a call for applications for its 2026 Global Visiting Researcher Programme, offering scholars a unique opportunity to collaborate on cutting-edge human rights research.
Launched to strengthen global academic partnerships, the programme focuses on researchers from the Global South and other underrepresented regions, promoting equitable collaboration and knowledge exchange in critical human rights areas.
About the Global Visiting Researcher Programme
The Global Visiting Researcher Programme is designed to:
- Foster international research collaboration
- Strengthen academic-policy linkages
- Promote inclusive and diverse research perspectives
- Support impactful, policy-relevant human rights research
The Danish Institute for Human Rights, Denmark’s official human rights body, plays a key role in monitoring, advising, and advancing human rights both nationally and globally. Its work is grounded in research, analysis, and collaboration.
Key Thematic Focus Areas: Global Visiting Researcher
For 2026, the programme will support research aligned with three priority themes:
1. Technology and Human Rights
This theme explores how digital technologies influence human rights and governance, particularly in the Global South. Relevant topics include:
- Impacts of emerging technologies on democratic systems
- Digital policy and regulation challenges
- Human rights impact assessments of technology
- Role of development cooperation in digital transitions
2. Preventing Violent Extremism in West Africa
This research area focuses on the role of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) in addressing violent extremism, particularly in Sahelian and coastal West African contexts.
Projects should examine:
- Links between security governance and human rights
- Local dynamics of radicalization
- Human rights-based prevention strategies
- Policy recommendations for peace and stabilization
3. Informal Justice Systems and Human Rights
This theme investigates how customary and informal justice systems interact with formal legal institutions to protect marginalized groups.
Research should:
- Analyze systems such as community courts and paralegals
- Focus on vulnerable populations (e.g., women, children, persons with disabilities)
- Include case studies from countries such as Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, or Zambia
- Identify best practices and policy gaps
Programme Structure: Global Visiting Researcher
Selected researchers will be affiliated with the institute for up to six months, with a flexible hybrid model.
Key components include:
- A minimum two-week stay in Copenhagen
- Integration into the institute’s research and international departments
- Participation in seminars and departmental activities
- Presentation of research findings
Participants are expected to produce at least one research output, such as:
- Policy briefs
- Working papers
- Academic articles
The programme also encourages long-term collaboration and joint funding proposals.
Global Visiting Researcher 2026: Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Strong background in human rights research
- Affiliation with an academic institution in the Global South
- Demonstrated academic excellence through publications
- A feasible and relevant research proposal aligned with programme themes
The programme welcomes applicants from diverse disciplines, including law, social sciences, and humanities.
Required Application Documents
Candidates must submit:
- A CV (maximum 3 pages)
- One relevant publication (in English or French)
- A research proposal (1–5 pages) outlining:
- Objectives
- Methodology
- Expected outputs
What the Global Visiting Researcher Offers
The Danish Institute for Human Rights provides comprehensive support to selected researchers, including:
- A stipend or honorarium
- Coverage of travel and visa costs
- Accommodation in Copenhagen
- Academic mentorship and institutional affiliation
Participants also gain access to a vibrant research environment, enabling collaboration with experts and policymakers.
Application Deadline
June 1, 2026
Applications must be submitted via email to: [email protected]
Why This Opportunity Matters
The Global Visiting Researcher Programme reflects a growing commitment to inclusive global research partnerships. By prioritizing scholars from underrepresented regions, the Danish Institute for Human Rights aims to amplify diverse perspectives in shaping human rights policies and practices.
The programme not only supports academic development but also bridges the gap between research and real-world policy impact.
Call for Action
The 2026 Global Visiting Researcher Programme offers a valuable platform for scholars to engage in meaningful, policy-relevant research while collaborating with a leading human rights institution.
For researchers committed to advancing human rights through evidence-based work, this programme provides both the resources and the global network needed to make a lasting impact.
