Humanitarian Response Intensive Course

The 2018 Humanitarian Response Intensive Course will be held from April 17 - 29, 2018 at Harvard University in Cambridge, MA, USA.

The Humanitarian Response Intensive Course is offered each year to professionals from around the world at Harvard University. Through presentations and hands-on table top exercises offered by faculty and guest lecturers who are experts in their topic areas, participants will gain familiarity with the primary frameworks in the humanitarian field (human rights, livelihoods, Sphere standards, international humanitarian law) and will focus on practical issues that arise in the field, such as personal and team security, rapid assessments, application of minimum standards for food security, shelter, WaSH (water, sanitation and hygiene) and operational approaches to relations with the military in humanitarian settings. Throughout the class, students will participate in pre-assigned learning teams to complete in-class projects designed to compliment a humanitarian case study. At the conclusion of class, student teams will present an aid delivery proposal designed to meet the needs of the population portrayed in the humanitarian case study.

Classes will be held in English. To successfully participate in the course, we recommend that participants have at least a B2 English language level (CEFR).

Standard Registration Fee: $2700 USD ($2550 Early Registration rate available until October 31, 2017)

Medical Resident / Student Discounted Registration Fee: $2500 USD ($2350 Early Registration rate available until October 31, 2017)

The Course Fee can be paid via credit card in the online registration portal. 

Course fees will cover the classroom training (breakfast, lunch and course materials) as well as participation in the disaster simulation exercise (meals, tent and shared equipment rentals included). Proof of employment and/or citizenship may be required for certain registration discounts. Formal confirmation of enrollment will be sent upon receipt of course fees and review of requested registration materials. Course fees can be paid via credit card. The Humanitarian Response Intensive Course is a self-funded program and all participants are required to pay a registration fee. At this time participation scholarships are not available. Accommodations and travel are not included in the course fee. Please note that your registration is not completed and your space in the workshop is not guaranteed until payment has been received in full. 

This year, we are offering a limited number of full scholarships for participants from developing countries. This scholarship only covers the workshop registration fee - participants are still required to cover their own travel and accommodations during the workshop.

Please note that the deadline for applications is October 15, 2017.

If you are interested in applying for the scholarship, please fill out the online application form linked below.

During the form, you will be prompted to upload a copy of your passport and a professional reference letter or letter from your employer supporting your application. Please upload these documents in PDF form.

Please note that if you are not selected, you can still register for the Humanitarian Response Intensive Course under the standard registration rate.

If you have any questions, please email 

The Humanitarian Academy at Harvard encourages workshop participation by international guests. If you will be traveling from another country to attend the workshop and will need a visa to enter the United States, then please read carefully the following information.

Due to the visa application process, it is recommended that you register for the workshop by February 1, 2018. Invitation letters for the purposes of securing a visa will be sent by the Humanitarian Academy at Harvard under only the following conditions:

• Registration is completed and paid in full.  A credit card is the only payment method accepted from international guests.
• Proof of hotel reservations or alternative lodging within metropolitan Boston OR a letter of support from your organization verifying your intent to attend the specified program.

Please note that participants must specifically request a Letter of Support for a Visa application by emailing harvardHRIC@gmail.com

If course fees have been paid and you require a Visa to attend the class, please notify the course organizers as soon as possible in order to request a letter. If you have paid and subsequently your Visa request is denied, you may transfer your registration to another course at no charge or request a cancellation refund. Cancellations for denied Visas are handled on a case by case basis and you may need to provide proof of Visa denial. 

1. Registration may be transferred to a colleague at any time free of charge.
2. Registration may be deferred to following year’s course, free of charge, up until 30 days prior to the first day of the course. Deferment requests received within 30 days of the start of class will incur a $150 USD fee. Registration can only be deferred for one year, and then the registration will be cancelled and registration fees will be non-refundable.
3. Cancellation requests received up until 30 days prior to first day of the course will be eligible for a refund minus $150 USD cancellation fee.
4. Cancellation requests received within 30 days of the start of the course will not be eligible for a refund. 

All cancellation and deferment requests should be submitted to harvardHRIC@gmail.com