The PILnet-RLRH Fellowship 2026 presents an outstanding opportunity for emerging legal professionals and refugee leaders to gain hands-on experience in public interest law while contributing to one of the world’s most impactful initiatives supporting refugee-led organizations.
Organized through a partnership between PILnet and the Refugee-Led Research Hub (RLRH) at the Refugee Studies Centre, University of Oxford, this international remote fellowship is designed to empower individuals whose lived experiences and legal expertise can help transform access to justice for displaced communities around the world.
The fellowship offers participants the opportunity to conduct meaningful legal research, influence refugee policy discussions, strengthen professional leadership skills, and collaborate with internationally recognized experts working on forced displacement and refugee rights.
Applications are currently open, and interested candidates are encouraged to apply before the 15 July 2026 deadline.
About the PILnet-RLRH Fellowship
The PILnet-RLRH Fellowship was established to address an important gap within the legal and civil society sectors.
Many talented refugee leaders and professionals with lived experience of displacement possess valuable knowledge but often face barriers to accessing leadership opportunities, professional networks, mentorship, and career advancement.
This fellowship recognizes that lived experience is a powerful form of expertise.
Rather than viewing displaced persons solely as beneficiaries, the fellowship positions them as researchers, legal professionals, advocates, and leaders capable of shaping international conversations surrounding refugee protection and access to justice.
Successful fellows will follow the path of previous fellows such as Lidya Tewelde Habtay and Salah Jawish, contributing to PILnet’s growing work supporting refugee-led organizations globally.
Fellowship Overview
Organization
- PILnet
Partner Organization
- Refugee-Led Research Hub (RLRH), Refugee Studies Centre, University of Oxford
Position
- PILnet-RLRH Legal Fellow
Location
- Fully Remote
Applicants must remain based in:
- Africa
- Europe
- The Americas
Duration
- Up to 12 months
Work Schedule
- 20–24 hours per week
- Approximately 3–4 working days weekly
Working schedules will be agreed upon at the beginning of the fellowship.
Start Date
- Flexible
- Expected from August 2026
Earlier or later start dates may be arranged depending on the fellow’s availability.
Financial Support
- Part-time stipend of £540 (subject to adjustment depending on location).
Application Deadline
Deadline: 15 July 2026
Applicants will receive notification of the outcome approximately 3–4 weeks after the application deadline.
Fellowship Objectives
The fellowship seeks to develop future leaders within refugee advocacy by focusing on several important objectives:
- Center lived experience alongside professional legal expertise.
- Strengthen leadership and strategic thinking.
- Expand professional mentoring opportunities.
- Build lasting international professional networks.
- Increase participation of refugee leaders in legal research and advocacy.
- Support PILnet’s forced displacement initiatives.
- Improve access to justice for refugee-led organizations.
Fellowship Responsibilities
Participants will work across four major areas throughout the fellowship.
1. Mentorship and Professional Development
Each fellow will:
- Develop an Individual Development Plan.
- Work closely with mentors.
- Receive ongoing guidance throughout the fellowship.
- Build long-term leadership skills.
2. Lead an International Legal Research Project
The fellow will lead a significant research project expanding previous work conducted by former PILnet-RLRH fellows.
The research focuses on understanding the legal needs of Refugee-Led Organizations (RLOs).
Previous studies gathered evidence from:
- Uganda
- Egypt
- South Africa
- Australia
alongside NGO representatives, academic experts, and PILnet’s Refugee-Led Clearinghouse data collected between 2020 and 2024.
The 2026 fellow will expand this work by including perspectives from the Americas, filling an important geographical gap identified in earlier research.
Main Research Objectives
The project includes two major goals:
1. Update Existing Research
The fellow will:
- Review previous findings.
- Incorporate new legal developments.
- Analyze updated Refugee-Led Clearinghouse data.
- Integrate lessons learned since the original publication.
2. Expand Research to the Americas
The fellow will:
- Conduct primary research with Refugee-LLed Organizations.
- Interview refugee leaders.
- Engage NGOs.
- Consult legal practitioners.
- Produce updated comparative global analysis.
Research Activities
The fellow is expected to:
- Conduct semi-structured interviews.
- Collect qualitative research.
- Analyze legal needs affecting refugee-led organizations.
- Produce an updated international report.
- Prepare additional legal tools or policy briefs where appropriate.
- Coordinate closely with PILnet staff and the Refugee-Led Research Hub.
Professional Development Opportunities
Beyond research, fellows will benefit from:
- Leadership development.
- Professional mentoring.
- International networking.
- Workshops.
- Events.
- Specialized training.
- Collaboration with global legal professionals.
- Exposure to public interest law practice.
Organizational Contributions
Throughout the fellowship, participants will also contribute to:
- PILnet’s Refugee Clearinghouse.
- Discussions surrounding forced displacement programming.
- Strategic initiatives related to refugee access to justice.
- Cross-organizational collaboration.
Fellowship Deliverables
Participants will complete several outputs during the fellowship, including:
- Individual Development Plan
- Agreed research deliverable
- Mid-program reflection
- Final presentation
- Written reflection report
Expected Learning Outcomes
By the end of the fellowship, participants will have:
- Stronger leadership capacity.
- Improved strategic and programmatic thinking.
- Greater understanding of forced displacement issues.
- Advanced knowledge of refugee legal needs.
- Practical experience in public interest law.
- Enhanced skills in pro bono partnership building.
- Expanded global professional networks.
- Experience producing high-quality legal research.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants should meet the following criteria:
Essential Requirements
- Lived experience of forced displacement or current/former Mastercard Foundation Scholar.
- Undergraduate or graduate legal degree, or significant legal experience.
- Active leadership in Refugee-Led Organizations or refugee advocacy.
- Demonstrated impact on refugee-related policies, programs, or practices.
- Excellent written and spoken English.
- Strong collaboration skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Knowledge of the global refugee protection system.
- Additional language proficiency.
About PILnet
PILnet is an international non-governmental organization that partners with legal professionals and civil society organizations worldwide to strengthen justice systems and civic participation.
Its work focuses on three strategic priorities:
- Civic Space
- Climate Justice
- Forced Displacement
Through partnerships, legal expertise, and professional development, PILnet works toward building more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable societies.
About the Refugee-Led Research Hub (RLRH)
The Refugee-Led Research Hub supports individuals with lived experience of displacement to become leaders across multiple disciplines, including:
- Law
- Human Rights
- Politics
- Forced Migration
- Research
- Public Policy
Since its establishment, the organization has built an international community of more than 1,400 researchers, students, and professionals across over 100 countries.
Its active offices include:
- Nairobi
- Oxford
- Kakuma Refugee Camp
- Kampala
- Kuala Lumpur
- Oxfordshire
One of the Hub’s defining features is that the majority of its leadership team has lived experience of displacement, ensuring refugee voices remain central to its mission.
Information Session
Interested applicants can learn more during the online information session.
Date: 6 July 2026
Time: 2:30 PM (UK Time)
The session introduces applicants to:
- PILnet
- Fellowship responsibilities
- Application process
- Questions and answers
Registration Link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/SBTTM4oOTQqX1Jj6yITpHA
How to Apply
Eligible candidates should prepare their application before the closing date of 15 July 2026.
Interested applicants can learn more and apply for the PILnet-RLRH Fellowship 2026 HERE.
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