The Center for Human Rights and Global Justice is accepting applications for its 2026 cohort of International Law and Human Rights Fellows (ILHR). The program offers the opportunity for currently enrolled NYU School of Law students to gain education in the theory and practice of international and human rights law.
program components
Internship Placement
A 10-12 week funded internship to take place either in Summer 2026 or Fall 2026 at an organization working in human rights or international law.
2026 placements
- The 2026 ILHR Fellowship Placement document outlines each organization’s placement duration (10 or 12 weeks), timing (Summer or Fall), modality (in-person, remote, or hybrid), and recruiting process.
- JDs must complete their fellowship placement over the summer.
- LLM fellows may complete their fellowship placement over the summer or fall. (LLM Fellows completing a Fall placement must complete it by December 31, 2026.)
- Some organizations have an additional layer to the NYU ILHR selection process, and may require separate application materials or interviews.
- Fellows are expected to submit any additional materials requested in an expeditious manner.
- No placement will be final until approved by the respective organization.
- For organizations requiring a 12-week minimum stay:
- These periods are longer than the minimum required by the PILC Summer Funding Program
- Please factor in the cost and other law school requirements and activities when committing to this longer period.
In limited circumstances, the duration may be adjusted; such requests:
- can be made only after the placement has been confirmed,
- must first be cleared by the Center,
- and will only be granted subject to the agreement of both the Center and the placement organization.
Pre-Fellowship
Pre-fellowship preparation and training in the form of course requirements and a series of not-for-credit seminars in Spring 2026 are required.
| International Law Commission placements | General placements |
| Course requirements
1L Fellows must enroll in International Law for 1Ls in Spring 2026. 2Ls, LLMs and JSDs must have either taken International Law previously or be enrolled in International Law course in the Fall 2025 |
Course requirements
1L Fellows must enroll in International Law for 1Ls in Spring 2026. 2L, LLM, JSD Fellows with no current or prior graduate-level training in international law or human rights must enroll in a public international law or human rights course of their choosing in Spring 2026. |
| IILJ not-for-credit seminars
All selected Fellows must attend not-for-credit seminars in Spring 2026. |
ILHR not-for-credit workshop
All Fellows in non-ILC placements will be expected to attend not-for-credit workshop organized by the Center in Spring 2026 to build professional and intercultural competence. |
Post-Fellowship
Research
- All Fellows are encouraged to undertake a supervised research project inspired by the fellowship and related to international law or human rights. Parameters to be determined in agreement with academic supervisors.
- Fellows are highly encouraged to participate in the Emerging Scholars Conference.
Reporting
All Fellows are required to:
- Complete an exit survey reflecting on their learning and experience.
- Submit a PILC Intern Report (NetID and password required) designed to collect insights about the placement and provide feedback for the fellowship program organizers.
Sharing
ILHR Fellows are expected to share their experiences in various venues including gatherings and social events, info and networking sessions designed for prospective fellows.
Application
Eligibility
All currently enrolled, full-time 1L, 2L, LLM, and JSD students at NYU Law are eligible to apply. Please note that LLMs from Taiwan may not be eligible for placements with some of the UN agencies, including the ILC.
Terms and Selection
Students awarded a fellowship are required to accept it. Exceptions can be made under certain circumstances determined by the selection committee.
- Fellows are expected to prioritize this program and must adhere to the internship range, terms and conditions as determined in this document.
- All ILHR Fellows are required to work a minimum of 8-10 weeks.
- Placements are subject to approval by the host organization.
- In the rare circumstance of issues with selected organizations, the fellow will maintain their status in the program and the Center will work with them to identify an alternative placement.
- Financial support for Summer placements at ILHR Fellowship host organizations is only available to NYU law students who apply through this program.
- Fellows are responsible for obtaining their own work visas, permits, medical insurance, and any other requirements of the placement.
Financial Award
Stipends
Students selected for the ILHR Fellowship will receive a stipend of:
$6,000 for 1Ls, or $8,000 for 2Ls, or $7,000 for LLMs.
Currency and taxes
- Stipends are paid in U.S. dollars and are awarded on a needs-blind basis.
- Fellows who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents may find that their stipend amount is reduced due to taxes, depending on their country’s tax treaty with the U.S.
PILC’s Summer Funding Program
- Funding for JD Fellows is provided through PILC’s Summer Funding Program and in lieu of regular summer funding.
- JD Fellows must be eligible for and fulfill all requirements of PILC’s Summer Funding Program.
- Expenses related to some internship placements, including airfare, housing, inoculations and the like, may exceed the amount provided by the stipend.
Financial support from NYU School of Law for summer internships at ILHR host organizations is available only to students selected as ILHR Fellows.
- This does not preclude NYU funding for summer internships at other international law or human rights organizations, nor does it preclude funding for different offices of participating ILHR organizations.
- This rule is in place because we have reached specific agreements with the host organizations that our Fellows are carefully matched and receive additional training to prepare them. An important incentive for the host organizations is allowing them to prioritize ILHR Fellows in their recruitment process.
Timeline and Deliverables
| Event | Date/Location or Deadline |
| ILHR Application Launch | September 23, 2025 |
| ILHR Application Deadline | November 5, 2025 |
| ILHR Interviews | November 10-12, 2025 |
| ILHR Fellowship Decision Notifications | No later than December 15, 2025 |
| Final Placement Confirmation | No later than January 31, 2026 |
| Courses; Non-Credit Seminars | Spring 2026 (TBD) |
| Exit Survey and PILC Intern Report | Upon completion of Fellowship |
| Post-Fellowship engagements | 2026-2027 Academic Year |
Apply
Please use your NYU login to complete this application form including your:
- Resume/CV
- Cover Letter detailing your interest in the program and any relevant background or experience, where applicable
- Academic transcripts
- 1Ls and LLMs must submit transcripts from NYU Law and their most recent institution of higher learning
- 2Ls and 3Ls must submit their NYU Law transcript
- Placement Statements of Interest
- Tailored to each organization you are applying to (min. 1; max. 3)
- Refer to the 2026 ILHR Fellowship Placement Document for organization-specific information
Inquiries about the program or application process can be sent to chrgj@nyu.edu