Leonard H. Sandler Fellowship

Application Deadline: October 12, 2026

Established in memory of Judge Leonard H. Sandler, a 1950 Columbia Law graduate with a lifelong commitment to civil rights and liberties, this fellowship is open to candidates who will hold a J.D. from Columbia Law School by June 2027.

Human Rights Watch is strengthened profoundly by the diversity of our staff and our differences in background, culture, experience, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, and more. We actively seek and welcome applications from people of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, women, LGBTI persons, and persons with disabilities.

The successful candidate will be expected to work from an HRW office but may have the option to work remotely at times. We aim to be as flexible and supportive as possible in both recruiting for and onboarding this position.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Fellows typically work full-time for one year in Human Rights Watch’s New York or Washington, D.C. office. In some instances, other locations where HRW has an office may be considered. The fellowship begins in September 2027.

Fellows monitor human rights developments in a given country(ies), conduct on-site/ in-office investigations, draft reports and/or other materials on human rights conditions, and engage in advocacy and media outreach to publicize and push governments to curtail human rights violations.

Past fellows have conducted research and advocacy on numerous different topics in countries all over the world. Examples include international alternatives to immigration detention; migrant workers’ rights in Gulf countries; barriers to secondary education for Syrian refugee children in Jordan; hazardous child labor in artisanal gold mining in Tanzania; threats to local communities from unrehabilitated coal mines in South Africa; and the private takeover of public housing in New York City.

Human Rights Watch will ensure that fellows receive training and mentorship, including regular and timely feedback and guidance on professional growth. Human Rights Watch is committed to ensuring a balanced workload for Fellows and monitoring staff well-being.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: This fellowship is open to candidates who will hold a J.D. from Columbia Law School by June 2027.

Experience: Prior research experience, including experience conducting interviews, ideally in the context of human rights research, is required.

Related Skills and Knowledge

1. Demonstrated strong background in international human rights and commitment to building a career in human rights are required.

2. Excellent oral and written communications skills in English are required.

3. Proficiency in one language in addition to English is strongly desired.

4. Self-motivation, ability to multi-task effectively, including having good planning and organizing skills and ability to work under pressure are required.

5. Strong initiative and follow-through, exceptional analytical skills, the capacity to think creatively and strategically, excellent writing skills, perseverance and flexibility while maintaining HRW’s high methodological standards are required.

6. Strong interpersonal skills to work collaboratively within HRW, as well as with external partners, are required.

7. Demonstrated awareness of and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations are required.

8. Ability to make sound decisions consistent with functions is required.

Salary and Benefits: The gross annualized salary for the 2027-2028 fellow is US $70,000, plus employer-paid benefits. HRW will pay reasonable relocation expenses. HRW’s ability to secure work authorization for this fellowship varies depending on the jurisdiction in which the fellow will be based, and the educational/vocational background of the selected finalist. HRW cannot guarantee the ability to secure work authorization in the US. Citizens of all nationalities are still encouraged to apply.

Application Deadline: Please apply immediately or by 11:59 PM ET on October 12, 2026 by visiting our online job portal at https://careers.hrw.org/ and attaching a CV/resume, letter of interest, and a brief writing sample (unedited by others) in PDF format. No calls or email inquiries, please. Only complete applications will be reviewed. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted further.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted to submit the following: two (2) letters of recommendation and an official law or graduate school transcript.

Successful applicants should be available for an interview from mid-to-late November 2026.

Please direct inquiries, including those related to any technical difficulties with your application or if you require a disability-related accommodation to submit your application, to [email protected]. Please note: applications submitted via email will not be accepted and inquiries regarding the status of applications will go unanswered. 

For more information, please see the FAQs: Fellowship FAQs

Human Rights Watch is strong because it is diverse. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. Human Rights Watch does not discriminate on the basis of disability, age, gender identity and expression, national origin, race and ethnicity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or criminal record. We welcome all kinds of diversity. Our employees include people who are parents and nonparents, those who are self-taught and university educated, and from a wide span of socio-economic backgrounds and perspectives on the world. Human Rights Watch is an equal opportunity employer.

Human Rights Watch is an international human rights monitoring and advocacy organization known for its in-depth investigations, its incisive and timely reporting, its innovative and high-profile advocacy campaigns, and its success in changing the human rights-related policies and practices of influential governments and international institutions.