EQUAL HUMAN RIGHTS
Payam
The Payam Scholarship is dedicated to supporting second-generation immigrants and refugees pursuing STEM programs at the university level. This scholarship is founded in honor of Payam Ziraksari, a brilliant Iranian inventor who was forced to flee his homeland due to the Islamic Republic’s religious persecution. Despite enduring two years as a refugee in Turkey, Payam’s resilience and intelligence led him to create numerous inventions. He has also received a medal for his contributions to science and technology.
Tragically, Payam passed away in 2024, leaving behind a legacy of creativity, innovation, and perseverance. His story is one of enduring hardship, yet never losing sight of his passion for inventing and improving the world through science. In his memory, the Payam Scholarship seeks to empower those who, like Payam, have faced significant challenges, but who possess the potential to contribute greatly to STEM fields. Funded by individuals passionate about fostering the next generation of innovators, this scholarship provides opportunities for second-generation immigrants and refugees to pursue their academic and professional dreams, helping them overcome barriers and transform their futures.
We invite those who believe in honoring the power of resilience and innovation to contribute to this scholarship and support the bright minds who will shape the future of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Ongoing and upcoming Scholarships and Internships
Equal Human Rights is raising funds to support scholarships and internships for 2026 and 2027 focused on human rights, STEM, and advocacy. Your donation helps sustain educational opportunities, internships, and ethical research for those who need it most. We also welcome ideas and partnerships aligned with our mission.
Donate today to support opportunity and human dignity.
2026 Interns
Ongoing Research on Human Rights Violations in Iran
This research documents systemic human rights violations in Iran through an evidence-based and analytical lens. Key focus areas include forced confessions and torture, the use of the death penalty in cases tied to political repression and protest-related charges, and the suppression of civil liberties through internet shutdowns, censorship, and digital surveillance. The work draws on verified reporting from reputable media outlets, human rights organizations, and independent investigations to identify patterns of abuse and assess their impact on individuals and society.
The research also examines the gap between Iran’s obligations under international human rights law and its domestic practices, including due process, freedom of expression, and detainee rights. In addition, it reviews findings from UN fact-finding missions related to the “Woman, Life, Freedom” protests and analyzes access to basic utilities—such as clean water and reliable electricity—as a human rights issue, highlighting how governance failures and infrastructure breakdowns have affected daily life, public health, and social stability in recent years.
Research on AI, Surveillance, and State Power
This research examines the use of artificial intelligence and surveillance technologies by state actors as tools of control, retaliation, and repression, with a focus on China, Iran, and U.S. immigration enforcement systems such as ICE. Areas of study include biometric surveillance, facial recognition, predictive policing, digital tracking, and data-driven monitoring used against activists, dissidents, journalists, ethnic and religious minorities, and migrant communities. The research analyzes how emerging technologies are deployed to suppress dissent, enforce compliance, and erode civil liberties under the guise of security or efficiency.
The project follows strict research standards emphasizing accuracy, transparency, and ethical responsibility. AI tools may be used to support research, drafting, and analysis, but all AI-assisted work is reviewed line by line, independently fact-checked, properly cited, and required to be original and plagiarism-free. Confidentiality of non-public information is strictly maintained. This work aims to bridge technology, human rights, and accountability, highlighting the urgent need to treat human rights and ethical safeguards as core design and policy requirements—not afterthoughts—in the deployment of AI systems.
2026 Scholarships
2025 Scholarships
2027 Scholarship/Internship
Stay tuned for 2027's internships and scholarships or contact us today for 2026 opportunities.