Human Rights Essay Award (annual) (Site includes link to an online submission form.)
- Sponsor: Academy on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law at American University Washington College of Law
- Topic chosen by the Academy in 2025 is: "Human Trafficking and Human Rights." "Participants have the flexibility to choose any subject related to this topic. However, the scope of the Essay must directly correspond to the 2025 topic, or it will be disqualified. Additionally, we would like to note that we believe international human rights law includes international humanitarian law and international criminal law."
- Format requirements in 2025 include: "The essays must not exceed 35 pages, including footnotes. For the body of the essay applicants must use Times New Roman font, 12-point double-spaced." "In addition, each applicant must also include a curriculum vitae (CV)/resume of no more than three pages in length explaining their experience or interest in human rights issues."
- Eligibility requirements in 2025 include: "Applicants for the Award must hold a law degree and have a demonstrated experience or interest in international human rights law." "Applicants must submit an unpublished legal essay in English or Spanish written solely by that person. Essays written by two or more people are not accepted."
- Awards in 2025: "The award for the Best Essays in English and Spanish includes a full tuition scholarship to the Program of Advanced Studies on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law for either the Diploma or Certificate of Attendance option, covering both application and administrative fees, as well as the costs of the academic courses in which the recipient enrolls, for a total of up to four courses." "Travel expenses, housing, and per diem living expenses are not included and should be covered solely by the winners." "The winning individuals will receive a certificate that attests to the award received, which can be presented to any organization or educational institution if the winner deems it appropriate. The selected winning essays will be eligible for publication in the American University International Law Review (AUILR), provided that the Academy and AUILR consider them to meet AUILR's publication standards."
- Deadline for submission: February 3rd, 2025, at 11:59 PM, Washington, DC (GMT-4) time.
Human Rights Essay Contest (annual)
- Sponsor: International Law Section, The State Bar of Texas
- Topic in 2024 Contest was: "The essay may address any aspect of international human rights law that the contestant chooses."
- Format requirements in 2024 Contest stated: "Essay" "There are no minimum or maximum word limits"
- Eligibility requirements in 2024 Contest included: "The International Law Section sponsors this annual essay contest as part of its commitment to provide information and guidance on international human rights issues to Texas lawyers and law students. The contest is open to any law student with a personal or essay nexus to Texas (e.g. Texas law school, Texas resident, topic addressing Texas, etc.)."
- Prizes in 2024 Contest were: "A first-place prize of $1,500 will be awarded for the best entry as judged by representatives from the Section. If sufficient entries are received, second and third place prizes may also be given. The winner(s) will also be publicly recognized at the Annual Institute. Additionally, essay(s) may be offered publication in the Section’s International Newsletter."
- Deadline for submission in 2024 Contest was: April 1, 2024.
Rule of Law Writing Competition (annual)
- Sponsor: Beverly Hills Bar Foundation
- Topic: "Entries should relate to the Rule of Law and may address any or all of the following:
- Define the Rule of Law or comment upon the attached definition; or
- Comment on the importance or the effects of the Rule of Law, any of its elements, or the lack of a Rule of Law on society."
- Excerpt from "About the Rule of Law Writing Competition":
- Limit on Entries: "Each author may submit one entry. Each law school may submit up to three entries."
- Format and Eligibility requirements include: "This competition is open to Law Review Articles authors who are juris doctorate and LLM candidates enrolled at an ABA or California State accredited law school during the eligibility period and whose article is published during the period. The eligibility period is the year preceding the Due Date." Due date: February 18, 2025.
- Prizes: "Scholarships shall include a $2,500 prize for the winning author and two $500 honorable mention scholarships to be chosen from eligible entries. Each scholarship recipient will receive a ticket to the Beverly Hills Bar Foundation’s Annual Supreme Court luncheon where the scholarships will be presented. Winning and honorable mention entries recognized by the BHBF and Beverly Hills Bar Association on their website www.bhba.org."
- Deadline: Entries for the scholarships are due February 18, 2025 and shall be submitted electronically in Word or searchable pdf form to kenneth.petrulis@verizon.net