Are you a law student, graduate student, or passionate undergraduate driven by justice and social change? The University Network for Human Rights (UNHR) Summer Fellowship Program offers a transformative opportunity to gain hands-on experience in international human rights work while building a professional network that can last a lifetime. For students looking to combine academic knowledge with real-world advocacy, this fellowship is a chance to make a meaningful impact on global human rights issues.
What Is the UNHR Summer Fellowship?
The UNHR Summer Fellowship is an intensive, eight to ten-week program based in Lisbon, Portugal. Fellows work directly with experienced human rights attorneys and advocates on research, legal analysis, and advocacy projects that support community-based initiatives worldwide. Unlike traditional internships, the program emphasizes practical experience, allowing fellows to contribute to real cases, draft legal documents, and participate in high-level advocacy efforts.
Participants gain exposure to the global human rights landscape, learn about international legal mechanisms, and develop professional skills that are critical for a future career in law, policy, or international development. Beyond skill-building, fellows join a vibrant network of students, professionals, and mentors dedicated to advancing justice and equality.
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What Fellows Will Do
The program is structured around four main areas, providing a well-rounded professional experience:
Legal Research
Fellows draft legal memos, briefs, and submissions for human rights bodies. These documents inform advocacy efforts and contribute to ongoing legal cases, giving students insight into how international law is applied in practice.
Research and Advocacy
Participants conduct in-depth research on human rights issues, compile country reports, and produce thematic briefs. This work supports fact-finding missions, advocacy campaigns, and collaborations with partner NGOs and international organizations.
Program Support
Fellows assist with educational initiatives, coordinating programs and strengthening connections with university partners. This role develops organizational and project management skills while contributing to the educational mission of UNHR.
Communications and Outreach
Fellows help create content for reports, newsletters, and online platforms. They learn to present complex human rights issues in accessible language, developing skills in advocacy communication that are essential for legal and non-profit work.
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Projects Fellows May Engage With
Fellows work on a range of international human rights issues, gaining exposure to both legal and advocacy dimensions of each project. Recent initiatives include:
- Ethnic Cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh: Documenting forced displacement and assisting in legal submissions to international bodies.
- Environmental Justice in Panama: Researching human rights violations linked to hydroelectric development projects.
- Disappearances in Mexico: Supporting fact-finding and advocacy related to widespread forced disappearances.
- Massacres in Bolivia: Assisting with case preparation and advocacy for Indigenous communities affected by violent repression.
These projects provide fellows with unique insight into the complexities of human rights work and equip them to contribute meaningfully to ongoing legal and advocacy initiatives.
Who Should Apply
The fellowship is designed for law students, graduate students, and exceptional undergraduates with experience or a strong interest in human rights. Ideal candidates demonstrate strong research and writing abilities, analytical thinking, and a genuine commitment to social justice. While the program is not fully funded, UNHR can provide financial support in exceptional cases, and students are encouraged to seek additional external funding if needed.
How to Apply
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Applicants must include a statement of interest, CV, contact details for two references, and links to any relevant publications.
Successful applicants will spend a summer gaining professional experience, building a global network, and contributing to meaningful human rights work.
Final Thoughts
The UNHR Summer Fellowship is more than an internship; it is a pathway to professional growth and meaningful global impact. For students passionate about human rights, law, and advocacy, it offers an unparalleled opportunity to develop practical skills, engage with real-world issues, and join a network of changemakers committed to justice worldwide. For those ready to make a difference, this fellowship is the first step toward a career dedicated to creating meaningful social change.
