Applications Open for the 2025 Refugee Fellows Program: Empowering Displaced Leaders

Applications Now Open for the 2025 Refugee Fellows Program

Refugees International is excited to announce that applications are now open for the 2025 cohort of its Refugee Fellows Program. This year-long fellowship is designed to support the advocacy efforts of forcibly displaced leaders, empowering them with the tools and resources needed to drive meaningful change in the global refugee and displacement landscape. The deadline for applications is May 15, 2025.

The Fellowship Overview

The Refugee Fellows Program is a unique opportunity for displaced individuals who are already engaged in advocacy and humanitarian work. Through this fellowship, Refugees International provides fellows with the training, funding, and network they need to advance their efforts and raise awareness about the issues facing refugees and displaced persons worldwide. Fellows will be supported in their advocacy initiatives with a $15,000 grant, paid in four quarterly installments throughout the program. This funding is designed to support the fellows’ work for up to seven hours per week.

The fellowship also includes a range of professional development opportunities, including technical training in public speaking, advocacy planning, fundraising, and other skills tailored to the individual needs of the fellows. This training will help fellows refine their existing advocacy strategies and broaden their impact in the areas that matter most to displaced communities.

Key Benefits

Fellows will benefit from several unique opportunities designed to maximize the impact of their advocacy work:

1. Technical Training: Fellows will receive training to improve their skills in public speaking, advocacy, and fundraising. This will enable them to advocate more effectively on behalf of displaced populations and raise greater awareness for their causes.
2. Professional Networking: Throughout the fellowship, fellows will have the opportunity to connect with key players in the humanitarian sector. This includes networking with other advocates, policymakers, and experts who are committed to the refugee and displacement agenda. These connections will open doors for collaboration and increase the fellows’ influence within the field.
3. Collaborative Advocacy Events and Research Trips: Fellows will be invited to participate in collaborative events and research trips organized by Refugees International. These events will provide valuable exposure to on-the-ground challenges faced by displaced communities and offer opportunities to engage in important advocacy discussions.
4. Funding Support: Each fellow will receive a $15,000 grant, paid in four quarterly installments. This funding will allow fellows to dedicate significant time to their advocacy work, with up to seven hours per week of involvement in program-related activities.

Eligibility Criteria

The Refugee Fellows Program is open to applicants from all countries around the world, but priority will be given to individuals who are themselves forcibly displaced or who work directly on behalf of displaced populations. Refugees International is particularly interested in supporting individuals whose advocacy efforts align with the organization’s ongoing work and advocacy priorities, especially in regions where there are significant gaps in displacement-related advocacy.

Applicants should have a demonstrated commitment to advocating for the rights and needs of refugees and displaced persons, and they should be actively engaged in related efforts within their communities or globally.

Application Process

Interested applicants must complete an application form and submit the following materials:

• Answers to two short-form questions (each response should be no longer than 400 words). These questions will allow applicants to describe their advocacy work and outline their goals for the fellowship year.
• A current resume detailing the applicant’s relevant experience and professional background.
• Three professional references who can speak to the applicant’s qualifications and potential for success in the fellowship.
• A brief work plan for the fellowship year, outlining the applicant’s goals and how they plan to leverage the fellowship’s resources to further their advocacy efforts.

The application deadline is May 15, 2025. Prospective applicants are encouraged to begin the application process as soon as possible to ensure all materials are submitted on time.

Why This Fellowship Matters

The Refugee Fellows Program is more than just a financial support opportunity. It’s a platform for displaced individuals to take their advocacy work to the next level, connecting them with resources, training, and networks that will help them make a lasting impact. Displaced populations face numerous challenges, and their voices are often underrepresented in global discussions. This fellowship seeks to elevate those voices, ensuring that displaced people are not only heard but actively leading the charge for change.

By supporting the leaders of tomorrow’s humanitarian efforts today, Refugees International is helping to build a more inclusive and just future for refugees and displaced persons around the world. This fellowship offers a valuable opportunity for displaced leaders to have a direct, meaningful impact on the policies and practices that shape the lives of millions.

Conclusion

The Refugee Fellows Program offers an exciting opportunity for displaced leaders to receive the support and training they need to increase their impact in the field of refugee advocacy. With access to funding, technical training, and an extensive network of professionals, fellows will be better equipped to advance their advocacy work and advocate for displaced communities worldwide.

If you are an advocate for displaced populations and want to take your efforts to the next level, apply for the Refugee Fellows Program today. For more information or to submit an application, visit here

Candidates will be invited to a panel interview in June or July.

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