Robert L. Bernstein Fellowship in International Human Rights

The Robert L. Bernstein Fellowship places one graduating NYU School of Law JD or LLM student with Human Rights in China for a year of full-time work in New York. The fellow works with HRIC’s legal and advocacy staff on casework, research, outreach, media advocacy, and submissions to international human-rights mechanisms.

The annual program honors Robert L. Bernstein and gives an early-career lawyer practical experience in international human-rights advocacy focused on China. The 2026–2027 application round is closed, and no exact opening date for the next round has been announced.

Benefits & funding

The 2026–2027 fellow receives a salary of US$50,000 plus benefits.
The appointment lasts one year and is full-time.
The work is based with Human Rights in China in New York.

Eligibility

Applicants must be graduating JD or LLM students at NYU School of Law.
Applicants need a demonstrated commitment to and knowledge of international human rights, excellent writing and communication skills, and strong research skills.
Relevant coursework or clinical experience may include international human-rights law, international law, global data law, Chinese law, or related clinical work.
Mandarin or Cantonese is helpful but is not required.
No nationality, residency, age, gender, or stated years-of-experience requirement is published.

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Application process

1
Wait for HRIC or NYU Law to publish the next-cycle application announcement.
2
Prepare a cover letter of no more than 500 words and a résumé.
3
Arrange two recommendation letters and obtain an official NYU transcript.
4
Write an essay of no more than 250 words on one key human-rights challenge facing China.
5
When applications reopen, email the complete package to the address named in the official announcement; recommendation letters may be sent separately.

Program timeline

Application deadline for the 2026–2027 fellowship.
Dec 12, 2025
Remote interviews for qualified applicants.
January 2026
Around Aug 1, 2026
The 2026–2027 fellowship begins; the date may be adjusted on request.
Next cycle
No exact opening date or deadline has been announced.