Human Rights Watch invites recent graduates of university programmes in law, journalism, international relations, area studies, or other relevant disciplines from any university worldwide to apply for its 2008/2009 fellowship programme. This year, four fellowships will be awarded.

Fellows work full-time for one year with Human Rights Watch in New York or Washington, DC, in the United States. They monitor human rights developments in various countries, conduct on-site investigations, draft reports on human rights conditions, and engage in advocacy aimed at publicising and curtailing human rights violations.

Applicants must have exceptional analytical skills, an ability to write and speak clearly, and a commitment to work in the human rights field in the future. Proficiency in one language in addition to English is strongly desired. Familiarity with countries or regions where serious human rights violations occur is also valued. Depending on the fellowship for which they wish to apply, prospective fellows must be graduates of law, journalism, international relations, or other relevant studies, or must provide evidence of significant, comparable, relevant work experience. Fellowships begin in September 2009.

The deadline for applications is October 3 2008.

Applicants are responsible for compiling complete application packets which must include the following:

• cover letter
• résumé (curriculum vitae)
• two letters of recommendation
• at least one unedited, unpublished writing sample
• an official law or graduate school transcript (applicants in one-year graduate programmes should supply an undergraduate transcript with a list of their graduate school courses)

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