Helping more students kickstart their human rights careers

The pioneering Global Student Fellowship program returns in 2025 with 12 host organisations now offering to take on UNSW students.

The Australian Human Rights Institute’s paid fellowship provides students with the opportunity to build a career pathway and forge connections at a leading international development or human rights organisation in Australia or overseas for six weeks. Applications for 2025–26 fellowships are now open and close on 22 July 2025.

All UNSW students are eligible for the fellowships. Successful applicants have the opportunity to work in Australia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vanuatu and Vietnam. This year’s hosts include Engineers Without Borders, Human Rights Watch, UN Migration and the World Food Programme.

The Global Student Fellowship program is highly competitive, attracting hundreds of applications from across all UNSW faculties each year. Since its launch, the program has supported 30 students. In 2024, a record 14 fellowships were awarded, and this will increase to 20 positions in 2025, thanks to philanthropic donations and partnerships with UNSW faculties and institutes.

Past Fellows have gone on to work in policy, advocacy and research in areas across refugee rights, environmental justice, law reform and business, and human rights.

Hear from previous Global Student Fellows about their experience.

Explore the full list of hosts and learn how to apply on the Australian Human Rights Institute website.