Deadline: 13-Feb-2026
The Anthony Lester Fellowships support early-career lawyers and law students to undertake practical, full-time human rights or rule of law fieldwork abroad. Each fellowship offers a $25,000 stipend for a minimum three-month project that is realistic, career-enhancing, and distinct from the applicant’s own country or prior experience. Fellows present their work at Bard College and may engage with experts linked to Anthony Lester’s legislative legacy.
Overview of the Fellowship
The Anthony Lester Fellowships provide funding and support for early-career lawyers or law students to carry out practical fieldwork in human rights and the rule of law outside their country of residence. The fellowship prioritizes projects with tangible impact, emphasizing practical action rather than academic research. Projects should be manageable, realistic, and offer a new professional experience for the applicant, while contributing meaningfully to career development and diversity of experience.
Key Features of the Fellowship
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Eligibility: Early-career lawyers or law students with an interest in practical human rights or rule of law work.
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Location: Project must take place in a country other than the applicant’s own.
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Duration: Minimum of three months of full-time engagement.
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Stipend: $25,000 to support project costs.
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Number of Fellowships: Two awarded per academic year.
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Focus: Practical fieldwork with tangible outcomes, not academic research.
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Career Impact: Fellowship should enhance the applicant’s professional trajectory.
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Diversity: Projects should contribute to diversity in geography, subject matter, and professional experience.
Who is Eligible?
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Early-career lawyers or law students.
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Applicants of any nationality; there are no geographical restrictions.
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Individuals who may not otherwise have access to early-stage, meaningful fieldwork opportunities.
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Applicants who can propose projects that are realistic, practical, and achievable within the fellowship duration.
Why It Matters
The fellowship provides early-career legal professionals with a unique opportunity to:
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Engage directly in human rights and rule of law fieldwork.
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Gain experience outside their home country for personal and professional growth.
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Work on projects that have real-world impact on communities or legal systems.
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Strengthen their career trajectory and professional network.
How to Apply
Step-by-step application process: 1. Identify a practical fieldwork project that meets the fellowship criteria. 2. Ensure the project will be undertaken in a country other than your own. 3. Prepare a proposal demonstrating that the project is manageable, realistic, and impactful. 4. Submit your application, including CV, project plan, and references, before the deadline of February 13, 2026. 5. Await notification of selection for one of the two fellowships awarded per academic year.
Fellowship Requirements and Benefits
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Full-time Engagement: Minimum of three months of project work.
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Stipend Support: $25,000 to fund project-related expenses.
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Presentation Opportunity: Fellows present their work at Bard College in New York’s Hudson Valley, with travel and accommodation covered.
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Reporting: Prepare a short report for publication on the Human Rights Project’s website, with the option to publish elsewhere while crediting the Anthony Lester Fellowship.
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Networking: Opportunity to engage with individuals associated with Anthony Lester’s legislative work through the Odysseus Trust.
Tips and Common Mistakes
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Ensure the project is practical and not purely academic.
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Propose a project in a country different from your own.
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Align your project with your career development goals.
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Keep the project realistic and achievable within the fellowship duration.
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Demonstrate the tangible impact your work will have on human rights or the rule of law.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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Who can apply? Early-career lawyers and law students of any nationality.
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How long is the fellowship? Minimum of three months full-time.
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What is the stipend amount? $25,000 per fellowship.
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Where can the project take place? In any country other than the applicant’s home country.
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How many fellowships are awarded? Two per academic year.
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What are the reporting requirements? A short report for the Human Rights Project website, with optional wider publication.
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When is the application deadline? February 13, 2026, for the 2026–2027 academic year.
Conclusion
The Anthony Lester Fellowships offer early-career lawyers and law students an invaluable opportunity to gain practical, impactful experience in human rights and rule of law work abroad. With a $25,000 stipend, structured guidance, and opportunities to present and publish their work, fellows can advance their careers while contributing meaningfully to global human rights initiatives.
For more information, visit BARD.
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