January 15, 2026: As the new Spring 2026 semester begins, we would like to extend a warm welcome to our incoming students and welcome back our returning students!

This semester, we will be selecting a new Kovler Project cohort –and a new group of scholars who, in Fall 2026, will conduct research on the prohibition of torture in international law, with the unique opportunity to support the UN-Committee Against Torture’s efforts in Geneva. Applications are now open!

Established by Professor and Dean Emeritus Claudio Grossman, the Kovler Project has awarded students the chance to personally contribute to upholding the Convention Against Torture for over 20 years. It represents an invaluable opportunity to gain firsthand experience and engage directly with human rights and anti-torture experts. To learn more about the experience of the previous cohort, we invite you to read our recap article from last semester here and to follow our social media. 

Each year, the best applicants are chosen to take this four-credit class and travel to Geneva to see the result of their semester’s work. To learn valuable information about the class experience, don’t miss our upcoming annual information session in February, where you can hear from our Kovler alumni and learn what a successful application looks like. For last year’s information session, click here.

If you are interested in a career in international anti-torture law, don’t miss out! Apply by February 28, 2026. To find the details on the application process, visit our Apply Now page. For specific questions, contact Assistant Director to the program Marta Treviño-Leyva at martatrevino@american.edu

Stay tuned for updates, don’t miss upcoming opportunities, and submit your application to be part of this experience!