Applications Open: UNHR Summer Fellowship Program 2026
The University Network for Human Rights (UNHR) has officially opened applications for its Summer Fellowship Program 2026, offering students a unique opportunity to engage directly in community-based human rights work at the international level.
The program is designed for individuals seeking hands-on experience in legal research, advocacy, and human rights documentation while working alongside experienced attorneys and advocates. Selected fellows will spend eight to ten weeks in Lisbon, Portugal, contributing meaningfully to UNHR’s ongoing projects and institutional mission.
Fellowship Overview
UNHR’s Summer Fellowship Program places fellows at the center of active human rights initiatives, combining rigorous research with real-world advocacy. Fellows are fully integrated into UNHR project teams and receive close supervision and mentorship throughout the program.
The fellowship is open to:
- Law students
- Graduate students
- Exceptional undergraduate students with demonstrated experience in human rights or social justice
Participants are expected to demonstrate strong research and writing skills, a commitment to human rights principles, and the ability to work collaboratively in an international setting.
Core Responsibilities
Fellows contribute across multiple functional areas, depending on project needs and individual expertise. Responsibilities include:
- Legal Research
- Drafting legal memoranda and briefs
- Contributing to submissions before international and regional human rights bodies
- Research and Advocacy
- Conducting desk research and data analysis to support fact-finding initiatives
- Preparing country summaries, thematic briefs, and background documents
- Developing materials for public-facing events, briefings, and meetings with partner organizations
- Program Support
- Assisting with coordination and materials for UNHR educational programs
- Supporting communication between UNHR supervisors, university partners in Europe and the United States, and student cohorts
- Writing and Communications
- Contributing to reports, policy briefs, website content, and social media
- Assisting with writing and editing articles, blog posts, and advocacy materials
- Drafting accessible updates that translate complex human rights work for a general audience
Application Process
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and early submission is encouraged.
Applicants must submit their materials via email with the subject line:
Summer Fellowship Application – [Applicant Name]
Required application materials include:
- A brief statement of interest
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Contact information for two references
- Links to relevant publications or writing samples, if available
Applications should be sent to: [email protected]
UNHR may provide funding in exceptional cases based on demonstrated financial need and unique skills or experience. Fellows are strongly encouraged to pursue additional funding through their universities, external scholarships, and other available sources.
Current Project Areas
Fellows may be assigned to one or more projects based on organizational priorities and individual interests.
Ethnic Cleansing and Erasure of Nagorno-Karabakh
Following the forced displacement of over 100,000 Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh in September–October 2023, UNHR has been documenting ongoing human rights violations related to the conflict. Fellows will:
- Conduct desk research and legal analysis
- Contribute to amicus briefs and submissions to United Nations mechanisms
- Assist in building databases of open-source evidence of atrocity crimes
- Support civil society coordination and advocacy events
Environmental Justice in Panama
The construction of a hydroelectric dam by AES Corporation has resulted in serious human rights violations affecting Indigenous and local communities in Bocas del Toro, Panama. Fellows will:
- Support submissions and briefs before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
- Assist with evidence organization and expert identification
- Develop outreach and advocacy materials for affected communities
Disappearances in Mexico
Forced disappearances represent one of the most severe human rights crises in Mexico and the broader region. UNHR is supporting efforts to establish a commission on disappearances. Fellows will:
- Analyze hybrid accountability mechanisms and comparative models
- Conduct legal research on institutional design and reform
- Support advocacy related to truth, justice, and accountability
Massacres in Bolivia
Following the 2019 coup d’état, two massacres of Indigenous protestors occurred during the period known as “Black November.” UNHR has been supporting families of victims in their pursuit of justice. Fellows will:
- Assist in developing legal strategies against former state officials
- Conduct legal and factual research related to command responsibility and accountability
Why Apply
The UNHR Summer Fellowship Program offers an intensive, practice-oriented experience for students seeking to deepen their engagement with international human rights law and advocacy. Fellows gain exposure to real cases, global networks, and the operational realities of human rights work while contributing to impactful initiatives worldwide.
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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the fellowship organization. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
