Programs, Grants & Prizes

• Lantos Human Rights Prize
• Congressional Fellowship Program
• Lantos Foundation Front Line Fund

Congressional Fellowship Program

Congressman Lantos was known for his willingness to explain and discuss important issues — particularly those related to human rights — with even the most junior intern. He felt a great imperative to educate and mentor future leaders about the moral obligation to fight for human rights. Through a Fellows Program named in his honor, the Lantos Foundation hopes to continue this important undertaking.

The Lantos Foundation plans to establish the Lantos Congressional Fellows Program in an effort to continue the vital human rights work that Congressman Lantos spearheaded. The program will bring talented young graduates of law school and other graduate programs to Capitol Hill. This will provide our fellows with the opportunity to learn how to translate human rights ideals into real policy solutions. The purpose of the program is two-fold:

• To give bright, young scholars and future leaders with a specific interest in human rights the opportunity to work in the U.S. Congress and gain a greater understanding of the American legislative process
• To provide the U.S. Congress with a perspective on human rights and to ensure that human rights remains an important focus of the Congressional legislative agenda

The Fellows

The Lantos Foundation intends to select six Lantos Fellows on an annual basis. A total of four fellowships will be available with the U.S. House of Representatives and two will be available with the U.S. Senate. Lantos Fellows will be selected based on the merits of their academic performance, professional experience, and their commitment to furthering the cause of global human rights. Candidates for fellowships will be students or recent graduates of higher education.

Focus on Israeli Scholars & Future Leaders

In keeping with Congressman Lantos' unwavering support for Israel, the Fellows Program will include a component specifically geared towards bringing Israeli scholars and future leaders to the U.S. Congress as Lantos Fellows, which will also help to strengthen ties between future leaders of the State of Israel and the U.S. government.

The Fellowship Experience

The Lantos Foundation intends to offer full funding for Lantos Fellows — comparable to room, board, and a stipend for living expenses — for the duration of the Fellowship. At the outset, fellowships will likely be 6 to 12-weeks long, but as the program grows and expands, the Foundation hopes to offer full funding for fellowships lasting up to a full year. Fellows will be given the opportunity to work on either the personal staff of a representative or senator, as a member of a Committee staff, or occasionally as a Human Rights Caucus staff member.

Long-term Perspective

It is the hope and goal of the Lantos Foundation that alumni of the Lantos Congressional Fellows Program will go on to be leaders in the human rights movement, whether in their native countries or within the United States. In particular, the Foundation envisions a portion of the Lantos Fellows going on to work in Congress and striving to champion the cause of human rights on Capitol Hill.

Download a pdf brochure about the Lantos Congressional Fellowship »