The Robert L. Bernstein Fellowship lets one graduating NYU School of Law JD or LLM student spend a year working full-time at Human Rights in China (HRIC) in New York. It honors Robert L. Bernstein, HRIC’s late chair emeritus.
The fellow works with HRIC’s lawyers and advocacy staff on casework, research, media advocacy and submissions to UN human-rights mechanisms. The 2026–2027 round closed on 12 December 2025; the next call has not been posted.
Benefits & funding
- Salary of US$50,000 plus benefits (2026–2027 fellow; the same figure was stated for 2025–2026).
- One year of full-time work at HRIC’s New York office.
Eligibility
- Must be a graduating JD or LLM student of NYU School of Law (the HRIC call: “Graduate of NYU School of Law”).
- Demonstrated commitment to and knowledge of international human rights; excellent writing, communication and research skills.
- Relevant coursework or clinical experience, e.g. international human-rights law, international law, global data law or Chinese law.
- Mandarin or Cantonese is a plus, not required.
- No nationality, residence or age rule is published.
Can you apply?
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“The Robert L. Bernstein fellowship enables an NYU Law School graduate to devote a year to full-time human rights work at HRIC. … Graduate of NYU School of Law” Eligibility
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Application process
- 1Watch HRIC and NYU Law’s Public Interest Law Center for the next call; NYU says applications are generally due in the fall.
- 2Prepare a cover letter (max 500 words), résumé, official NYU transcript and an essay of up to 250 words on one key human-rights challenge facing China.
- 3Arrange two recommendation letters, which may be sent separately.
- 4Email the complete package to jobs@hrichina.org by the deadline.
- 5Qualified applicants are interviewed remotely (January 2026 in the last round).
Program timeline
Application deadline (2026–2027 fellowship)
Dec 12, 2025
Remote interviews
January 2026
On or around Aug 1, 2026
Fellowship starts (may be adjusted on request)
Next round
not yet announced; generally due in the fall