International Human Rights Fellowship Program
 he International Human Rights Fellowship Program offers participating students a special opportunity to engage in concentrated study in the field of international human rights and to participate in international human rights work abroad during their law school careers. These Fellowships provide rich professional, personal and intellectual opportunities.
There are two core components to the Fellowship Program. The Fellowships furnish a $5000 stipend to support work abroad in a summer international human rights internship. Simultaneously, the Fellowships offer students the opportunity to pursue scholarly research under the supervision of a faculty member with expertise in the field of international human rights.
Summer Internships
During the summer internship, Fellows will engage in ten weeks of legal work supervised by an attorney for a non-governmental or inter-governmental organization concerned with international human rights. Fellows are expected to seek placements in international organizations abroad.
Fellows will locate their internships. Placements may be in any country, but they are subject to approval. Fellows will receive a $5000 stipend and funds to help offset the cost of any travel expenses.
Research Project
Under the supervision of a member of the faculty, Fellows will write a research paper on an international human rights law topic. These papers may be written as part of the course requirement for regularly scheduled classes, as notes for student journals, or as faculty-supervised independent research projects. Papers that meet the Fellowship's writing requirement may also be used to satisfy the Upper Class Writing Requirement. Fellows in the 2008 pilot program will not be required to write a research paper.
Other Program Activities
Fellows will report on their summer internships and the legal challenges that they addressed at a luncheon during the fall semester. Fellows are expected to attend talks and programs on international human rights throughout the course of the academic year and to participate in the public interest international law community at Brooklyn Law School.
Applying for a Fellowship
Eligibility
All students, full-time and part-time, who have completed their first-year of law studies are eligible to seek an International Human Rights Fellowship. Successful applicants will demonstrate a dedication to international human rights, provide an internship proposal, and submit a timely application. All applicants must have a 3.0 GPA.
Students must submit a proposal outlining the area of law or population to be served, the organizations engaged in this work, and plans to obtain a placement. Students may submit alternate proposals. Students need not have received offers from host organizations at the time of submitting their applications.
Application Process
Applications can be downloaded here (Adobe PDF Required). The application requires an internship proposal and a 500 word essay describing the applicant's commitment to, interest in, and relevant experience in the field of international human rights. Applicants must also submit their resume, a grade report, and a faculty reference. Applicants may submit additional letters of recommendation or references but are not required to do so.
The deadline for applications is Monday, March 24, 2008. Applications must be submitted to Beth Pollastro, Administrative Assistant, 250 Joralemon Street, Eighth Floor Faculty Office Suite.
Placements
Accepted Fellows are expected to locate their own internships, but the Public Service Program Office will provide assistance in identifying and applying to appropriate internships. |
