A major opportunity has just opened for aspiring human rights leaders ready to take their work beyond classrooms and into the real world. The Henigson Human Rights Fellowships 2026, offered through the Harvard Law School Human Rights Program (HRP), are now accepting applications from committed law graduates who want to spend a full year advancing international human rights in the developing world.
This prestigious fellowship is not just an academic award — it is a career-launching gateway into frontline advocacy, legal action, and rights-based change. With a generous stipend, global NGO placements, and the backing of Harvard’s human rights network, the Henigson Fellowship is designed for those who want to turn passion into meaningful impact.
Fellowship Offerings and Benefits (What Winners Receive)
Winning the Henigson Human Rights Fellowship 2026 means receiving one of Harvard Law School’s most powerful post-graduate opportunities in global justice work. Fellows are supported to spend 10 to 12 months working directly with human rights NGOs in low- and middle-income countries, contributing to urgent legal and advocacy efforts.
Each full fellowship includes:
- $27,000 stipend for living and project support
- $1,500 contribution toward international health insurance
- Funding support regardless of financial need
- Opportunity to supplement with other grants up to $18,000
- Placement in impactful human rights organizations working on issues such as refugees, women’s rights, labor rights, litigation, grassroots advocacy, and more.
This fellowship is built to help Harvard graduates step into global human rights careers with real experience, professional mentorship, and meaningful contribution.
Eligibility Requirements (Who Can Apply?)
To qualify, applicants must meet clear Harvard Law School graduate eligibility conditions. The Henigson Fellowship is exclusively intended for those with a demonstrated commitment to international human rights work.
Eligible candidates include:
- Harvard Law School JD or LLM graduates only
- 3Ls and LLMs graduating in May 2026 (preferred)
- Recent alumni who are currently:
- Clerking for a judge
- Working full-time in public interest
- Previously active in human rights/public interest work at HLS
- Applicants who have not received prior post-graduate fellowship funding from HLS are given preference
- Projects must be based in low- or middle-income developing countries
- Sponsoring organizations must be human-rights-focused NGOs (not academic research institutions).
Apply: https://hrp.law.harvard.edu/fellowships/post-graduate-fellowships/henigson-human-right-fellowships/
Application Deadline
The Henigson Human Rights Fellowship 2026 follows a two-stage deadline structure. Prospective applicants must first contact HRP for host organization approval, and then complete the final online submission.
The last date to email Abadir Ibrahim to discuss your plans and have your host organization vetted is March 2, 2026. The final deadline to submit the complete Henigson Human Rights Fellowship application to Harvard Law School’s Human Rights Program is March 16, 2026.