Anthony Lester Fellowships
Launched in 2024, the Anthony Lester Fellowships support lawyers or law students who wish to undertake practical fieldwork in the field of human rights and the rule of law outside their home country. These fellowships allow early-career lawyers and law students to work on a project that contributes to real-world change and are designed for those who would not otherwise have this opportunity.
Details
Two fellowships will be awarded each academic year.
Fellows will receive a stipend of $25,000 for a project lasting at least three months.
Fellowships are open to early-career lawyers or law students.
There are no geographical restrictions for fellowships. The project is expected to involve full-time employment for fellows for at least three months. The application deadline for the 2025-2026 academic year is February 17, 2025. Instructions are available on the application portal (https://apply.interfolio.com/159747). Selection Criteria
The project has the potential to have a tangible impact on the promotion of the rule of law/human rights
The project is fieldwork (something practical), rather than academic research.
The project is practical, manageable and realistic.
The project should be carried out in a different location than the applicant, should be a different experience for them, and should occur at a time in the applicant’s career where it can make a real difference to their career.
Geographical and thematic diversity.
At the end of the fellowship, fellows will be invited to make a presentation at Bard’s Hudson Valley campus in New York (their travel and accommodation expenses will be covered). Fellows will write a short report on their project, which will be published on the Human Rights Project website. Fellows may wish to publish their report elsewhere (noting their support for the Anthony Lester Fellowships at Bard College). They will also have the opportunity to discuss their work with those who worked with Anthony Lester at the Odysseus Trust, which supports his legislative work. For more information, go to: https://humanrights.bard.edu/lester-fellowship/
