The UNHR Summer Fellowship Program is a competitive human rights fellowship offered by the United Network for Human Rights (UNHR) that provides students with hands-on experience in legal research, advocacy, and community-based human rights work. The UNHR Summer Fellowship Program allows selected fellows to spend eight to ten weeks in Lisbon, Portugal, contributing directly to ongoing international human rights projects under the supervision of experienced attorneys and advocates.
This Summer Fellowship Program is designed for students who are deeply interested in human rights, social justice, and international law, and who want practical exposure to real-world advocacy within a global human rights organization. Applications for the UNHR Summer Fellowship Program 2026 are currently open and reviewed on a rolling basis.
About the UNHR Summer Fellowship Program
The UNHR Summer Fellowship Program is an immersive fellowship opportunity that places students at the center of UNHR’s community-driven human rights initiatives. During the fellowship, participants engage in legal research, writing, advocacy, and program coordination, contributing to work that addresses urgent human rights violations around the world.
Summer fellows work closely with UNHR attorneys, advocates, and partner organizations while supporting projects that involve international human rights mechanisms, legal submissions, documentation of abuses, and public-facing advocacy. The program emphasizes both professional development and meaningful impact, allowing fellows to apply academic knowledge in a practical, international setting.
Eligibility Criteria for the UNHR Summer Fellowship Program
The UNHR Summer Fellowship Program is open to a diverse group of applicants with a demonstrated commitment to human rights and social justice.
Who Can Apply
Applicants must fall into one of the following categories:
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Law students
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Graduate students
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Exceptional undergraduate students with demonstrated experience in human rights and/or social justice
Educational Background
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Applicants should have academic or practical experience related to human rights, international law, social justice, advocacy, or related fields
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Exceptional undergraduates must demonstrate relevant experience or strong engagement in human rights work
Geographic Eligibility
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The fellowship is open to applicants from all countries
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Fellows must be able to spend 8–10 weeks in Lisbon, Portugal
Additional Considerations
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Strong research, writing, and analytical skills are beneficial
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Prior experience in advocacy, legal research, or nonprofit work is an advantage but not stated as mandatory
Program Details
Location
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Lisbon, Portugal
Duration
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Eight to ten weeks during the summer of 2026
Program Structure
Fellows work under the supervision of expert human rights attorneys and advocates and contribute to multiple areas of UNHR’s work. Responsibilities may include:
Legal Research
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Drafting legal memos and briefs
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Contributing to submissions to international human rights bodies
Research and Advocacy
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Conducting desk research and data analysis
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Preparing country summaries, thematic briefs, and background documents
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Supporting materials for briefings, meetings, and public-facing events with partner NGOs
Program Support
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Assisting with coordination of UNHR’s educational programs
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Supporting communication between UNHR supervisors, university partners in Europe and the U.S., and student cohorts
Writing and Communications
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Contributing to reports, briefs, blogs, and website content
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Assisting with writing and editing articles and reports
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Drafting social media posts and accessible updates for public audiences
Funding
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The fellowship is not fully funded
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UNHR may provide funding in exceptional cases, based on demonstrated financial need and unique skills or experience
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Fellows are encouraged to seek additional funding through universities, external scholarships, or other sources
Current Fellowship Projects
Fellows may participate in one or more of the following projects:
Ethnic Cleansing and Erasure of Nagorno-Karabakh
Fellows support documentation of human rights abuses related to the forced displacement of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh (2023) through legal research, amicus briefs, UN submissions, evidence databases, and civil society coordination.
Environmental Justice in Panama
Students assist with submissions to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) related to community displacement and rights violations caused by a hydroelectric dam project in Panamá.
Disappearances in Mexico
Fellows analyze legal mechanisms, reforms, and international models relevant to addressing Mexico’s disappearance crisis and the creation of a national commission.
Massacres in Bolivia
Students support case development related to the 2019 killings of Indigenous protestors, assisting families seeking accountability for human rights violations.
How to Apply for the UNHR Summer Fellowship Program
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so early submission is strongly encouraged.
Application Instructions
Applicants must email their application materials to:
📧 thomas@humanrightsnetwork.org
Subject Line: Summer Fellowship Application – [Your Name]
Required Application Materials
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Brief statement of interest
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Curriculum Vitae (CV)
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Contact details for two references
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Links to publications (if applicable)
Important Dates
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Applications Open: Now
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Review Process: Rolling basis
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Fellowship Period: Summer 2026 (8–10 weeks)
Why Apply for the UNHR Summer Fellowship Program
The UNHR Summer Fellowship Program offers a rare opportunity to gain international human rights experience, work directly with legal experts, and contribute to high-impact advocacy projects. Fellows leave the program with strengthened research and writing skills, global exposure, and firsthand experience engaging with international human rights systems.
Apply for the UNHR Summer Fellowship Program
The UNHR Summer Fellowship Program 2026 is an exceptional opportunity for students committed to human rights, legal advocacy, and social justice. With its international focus, hands-on structure, and exposure to real-world human rights challenges, the fellowship equips participants with the skills and experience needed to pursue meaningful careers in human rights and international advocacy.
For more opportunities visit Opportunities for youth