UNSW Global Student Fellowship 2026: Receive Up to AU$8,500 to Launch Your Human Rights Career Across the Asia-Pacific Region

Students passionate about human rights, international development, social justice, humanitarian action, and global impact now have an exciting opportunity to gain real-world experience through the Australian Human Rights Institute’s Global Student Fellowship Program at the University of New South Wales (UNSW).

Applications are officially open from 22 June to 19 July for this highly regarded fellowship program, which provides selected UNSW students with financial support and hands-on professional experience through placements with some of the world’s leading human rights and development organizations.

The fellowship serves as a powerful career-launching platform, allowing students to work directly with internationally recognized organizations while contributing to meaningful projects that address some of the world’s most pressing social, humanitarian, and development challenges.

What Is the Global Student Fellowship Program?

The Global Student Fellowship Program is an initiative of the Australian Human Rights Institute that supports students in undertaking professional placements with leading human rights and international development organizations located in Australia and across the Asia-Pacific region.

The program is designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and practical experience by enabling students to apply their knowledge in real-world settings. Fellows gain exposure to professional environments where they can contribute to projects focused on human rights advocacy, development policy, humanitarian engineering, migration, refugee protection, community development, and social justice.

By participating in the fellowship, students not only strengthen their professional skills but also expand their networks and gain valuable international experience that can significantly enhance future career opportunities.

Fellowship Benefits

Selected fellows receive a range of benefits that support both their professional growth and placement experience.

Financial Support

Global Student Fellows receive:

• Awards of up to AU$8,500
• Financial assistance to support placement-related expenses
• Opportunities to undertake international placements that may otherwise be financially inaccessible

Professional Experience

Participants gain:

• Direct experience working with globally respected organizations
• Exposure to international development and human rights initiatives
• Opportunities to collaborate with experts and practitioners in the field
• Enhanced practical knowledge and professional competencies

Career Development

The fellowship helps students:

• Build competitive resumes
• Develop professional networks
• Gain experience valued by international organizations
• Explore future career pathways in human rights and development sectors
• Increase employability within international institutions, NGOs, government agencies, and multilateral organizations

International Exposure

Placements are available in multiple locations throughout the Asia-Pacific region, providing students with opportunities to:

• Experience different cultural environments
• Learn from diverse communities
• Understand regional development challenges
• Contribute to impactful international projects

Fellowship Placement Locations

The six-week fellowship placements take place in a range of locations across Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.

Examples of host countries include:

• Sri Lanka
• Thailand
• Timor-Leste
• Vietnam
• Cambodia
• Australia

The availability of specific locations may vary depending on host organization partnerships and annual placement opportunities.

Partner Organizations

One of the most attractive aspects of the Global Student Fellowship Program is the opportunity to work alongside leading international organizations committed to advancing human rights and sustainable development.

Examples of fellowship hosts include:

1. World Food Programme (WFP)
2. Human Rights Watch
3. Engineers Without Borders Australia
4. International Organization for Migration (IOM)
5. Jubilee Australia
6. Additional partner organizations within the human rights and development sectors

These organizations provide fellows with meaningful projects and mentorship opportunities that help cultivate future leaders in social impact and humanitarian work.

Why Students Should Apply

The Global Student Fellowship offers more than just financial support. It provides a transformative professional experience that can shape long-term career trajectories.

Key reasons to apply include:

1. Gain Practical Human Rights Experience

Students can move beyond classroom learning and actively contribute to projects that address real-world human rights and development challenges.

2. Work With Leading Organizations

Few student opportunities offer direct engagement with internationally recognized organizations operating at the forefront of human rights advocacy and development work.

3. Build International Networks

Fellows develop valuable professional relationships with experts, practitioners, policymakers, and community leaders.

4. Strengthen Career Prospects

The fellowship provides a strong foundation for careers in:

• Human rights law
• International development
• Humanitarian assistance
• Social policy
• Global governance
• Refugee and migration services
• Community development
• Sustainable development

5. Receive Financial Support

The funding provided helps remove financial barriers and enables students to focus on gaining meaningful professional experience.

Success Stories from Former Fellows

The impact of the fellowship can be seen through the achievements of past participants who have gone on to pursue influential careers in human rights and development.

Advaita – Engineers Without Borders, Cambodia

Advaita participated in a fellowship placement with Engineers Without Borders in Cambodia during 2025/26. The experience allowed her to connect her academic studies in humanitarian engineering with practical development work and community engagement.

Alina – International Organization for Migration, Thailand

After completing her fellowship in Thailand, Alina successfully joined the World Bank’s Young Professionals Program. She credits the fellowship with helping her stand out during recruitment and preparing her for work focused on integrating human rights principles into international development operations.

Carlos – Human Rights Watch, Sydney

Carlos conducted research on refugee rights and international refugee law through his fellowship with Human Rights Watch. The experience strengthened his commitment to pursuing a career in the human rights sector.

Madeline – Jubilee Australia, Sydney

Madeline leveraged her fellowship experience to prepare for a role as a Judicial Affairs Officer with the United Nations Mission in Kosovo. She highlighted the fellowship’s role in building confidence, broadening her perspective, and expanding her understanding of the many pathways available within human rights work.

Program Duration

The fellowship consists of:

• Six-week professional placements
• Structured engagement with host organizations
• Practical project-based work
• Mentorship and professional development opportunities

How the Fellowship Supports Future Human Rights Leaders

The Australian Human Rights Institute created the Global Student Fellowship Program to empower the next generation of human rights defenders and development professionals.

The initiative recognizes that meaningful change requires talented and passionate individuals equipped with practical experience, global perspectives, and professional networks. Through financial support and placement opportunities, the fellowship helps students build the skills and confidence needed to contribute effectively to social justice and human rights initiatives worldwide.

How to Apply

Click here for more and to apply.

Important Dates

• Applications Open: 22 June
• Applications Close: 19 July

Applicants are encouraged to prepare their materials early and review all eligibility requirements and application instructions before submitting.

Final Thoughts

The UNSW Global Student Fellowship Program represents an exceptional opportunity for students seeking to transform their passion for human rights and development into meaningful professional experience. With funding of up to AU$8,500, access to prestigious international organizations, and placements across Australia and the Asia-Pacific region, the fellowship provides a unique platform for students to develop practical skills, expand their professional networks, and begin building impactful careers dedicated to social change.

Students interested in human rights, international development, humanitarian action, and global justice should strongly consider applying before the 19 July deadline.

Click here for more global fellowship opportunities