More opportunities for students to kickstart their human rights careers in 2025

The Australian Human Rights Institute’s pioneering Global Student Fellowship program returns in 2025 with 12 host organisations now offering to take on UNSW students.

The 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.

Open to all UNSW students, 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, the Indonesia Ocean Justice Initiative, 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. 

Applications for 2025/26 fellowships are now open and close 22 July 2025. Explore the full list of hosts and learn how to apply here.