Sakharov Fellowship 2026: Fully Funded Training at the European Parliament

Applications are now open for the European Parliament Sakharov Fellowship 2026, a fully funded, two-week international training program designed for outstanding human rights defenders from non-European countries.

The fellowship will take place in person at the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium, and offers participants advanced training on European Union (EU) and international human rights frameworks, advocacy strategies, and policy engagement. There is no application fee, and all major expenses are fully covered.

Only 14 candidates will be selected for the 2026 cohort, making this a highly competitive and prestigious opportunity.

About the European Parliament Sakharov Fellowship 2026

Host Institution: European Parliament
Host Country: Belgium
Program Location: Brussels
Program Duration: 2 weeks
Funding Type: Fully Funded
Eligible Countries: Non-European countries
Application Deadline: 15 February 2026

Financial Benefits

The Sakharov Fellowship 2026 is fully funded and covers:

Return international airfare
Accommodation in Brussels
Daily living allowance (meals and local expenses)

Participants can focus entirely on learning and networking without any financial burden.

Fellowship Objectives

The European Parliament Sakharov Fellowship aims to:

Strengthen Advocacy Skills: Enhance leadership, communication, and advocacy capacity of human rights defenders.
Build Legal Expertise: Provide in-depth training on EU and international human rights laws, mechanisms, and institutions.
Offer Institutional Exposure: Give participants first-hand insight into how the European Parliament promotes and protects human rights globally.
Expand Professional Networks: Connect fellows with EU officials, policymakers, and members of the global Sakharov Community.
Promote Knowledge Transfer: Equip fellows with tools to train, mentor, and support human rights initiatives in their home countries.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the European Parliament Sakharov Fellowship 2026, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Citizenship: Applicants must be from non-European countries
Relevant Experience: Demonstrated and proven experience in human rights advocacy or campaigning, either through an NGO, organization, or individual activism
Language Requirement: A high level of English proficiency is required, as the fellowship is conducted entirely in English
Political Alignment: Selection is based on alignment with the European Parliament’s current human rights priorities

How to Apply for the European Parliament Sakharov Fellowship 2026

Interested applicants must submit their application online through the official Sakharov Fellowship application portal.

Application Steps: