UNHCR is inviting 2027 U.S. law school graduates and recent graduates to apply for one-year Legal Fellowships in Washington, D.C. Applicants must secure external funding and have U.S. work authorization. Deadline: 27 October 2026.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is inviting applications for its 2027–2028 Legal Fellowship Programme in Washington, D.C., United States. The opportunity is designed for postgraduate legal candidates interested in refugee protection, asylum law, human rights and international legal policy.
Selected fellows will work full-time with UNHCR’s Protection and Solutions Unit (PSU), contributing to legal research, policy analysis and initiatives supporting refugees, asylum-seekers and stateless persons.
The fellowship lasts one year, beginning in September 2027. Candidates must secure external funding for the entire fellowship period, as UNHCR does not provide financial support to fellows.
Opportunity Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) |
| Programme | 2027–2028 Legal Fellowships |
| Position | Legal Fellow |
| Job requisition ID | JR2668853 |
| Location | Washington, D.C., United States |
| Duration | 12 months |
| Start date | September 2027 |
| Target applicants | 2027 degree candidates or recent graduates from U.S. law schools |
| Funding | Must be secured externally |
| U.S. work authorization | Required for the full fellowship period |
| Application deadline | 27 October 2026, 5:59 p.m. EDT |
About the UNHCR Legal Fellowship Programme
UNHCR’s Protection and Solutions Unit works with governments and other stakeholders to promote protection for refugees, asylum-seekers and stateless people in the United States and the northern Caribbean.
The unit supports efforts to align domestic asylum systems with international refugee law and contributes to policy analysis, legal research, protection monitoring and individual case support.
Legal fellows may contribute to work involving proposed legislation and regulations, legal briefs, regional protection policy and research on displacement trends. The programme is designed to provide professional development while supporting UNHCR’s protection and solutions objectives.
Key Responsibilities
Fellows may work in several areas, depending on the needs of the Protection and Solutions Unit and their interests and background.
Responsibilities may include:
- Analysing domestic and international laws and policies affecting asylum-seekers and refugees.
- Supporting legal and policy research on refugee protection and international standards.
- Monitoring protection conditions at borders, in detention and in immigration courts.
- Contributing to regional protection initiatives across the Americas.
- Supporting legal work related to statelessness and nationality.
- Providing individual case support where appropriate.
- Preparing legal research and analysis to inform policy development.
The fellowship portfolio will be developed in collaboration with each selected fellow.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements stated in the fellowship announcement.
Academic Qualifications
Candidates must be 2027 degree candidates or recent graduates from a U.S. law school.
Applicants should have completed coursework in international law, refugee law and/or human rights. Additional coursework in U.S. immigration law is preferable.
Relevant Experience
Experience in U.S. asylum law, refugee law, statelessness or related protection issues is an advantage.
Experience gained through legal clinics during law school or direct service work with asylum-seekers and stateless persons is particularly helpful.
Language Requirements
Strong oral and written communication skills are required.
Fluency in Spanish is essential for fellows working on U.S. southern border and protection policy issues in the Americas. Spanish is also highly desirable for other areas of work.
Work Authorization
Applicants must have work authorization in the United States for the entire fellowship period.
Candidates should confirm that they can meet this requirement before applying.
Fellowship Duration and Financial Requirements
The fellowship is scheduled to begin in September 2027 and last for 12 months.
Unlike some funded international fellowship programmes, UNHCR does not provide fellows with financial support. Each candidate must demonstrate a guaranteed external funding source for the full year.
Candidates may identify potential funding from public-interest postgraduate fellowships offered by their law schools or other organisations. If funding depends on being selected for the UNHCR fellowship, this condition should be clearly explained in the application letter.
Applicants are also responsible for arranging their housing, legal stay in the United States, health insurance and other required documentation.
Required Application Documents
Candidates must complete their applications through the UNHCR careers portal and provide the following:
- Cover letter explaining interest in the fellowship, preferred areas of work, the external funding source to be secured, and the ability to work full-time for one year.
- Writing sample of 5–10 pages.
- Completed online candidate profile, including education, professional experience, language skills and contact details for three references.
The cover letter should also indicate whether the candidate prefers a specific thematic area or would like UNHCR to match their background to the unit’s needs.
Candidates who do not specify a preference will be evaluated for all fellowship positions.
Application Deadline
Applications close on 27 October 2026 at 5:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).
Applicants should submit their completed applications through the online recruitment portal before the deadline. Applications are not accepted by email.
If a candidate experiences technical difficulties uploading the cover letter or writing sample, UNHCR permits those attachments to be sent to usawafel@unhcr.org. This email address is for attachments that could not be uploaded successfully; it is not an alternative application channel.
How to Apply
Candidates should visit the official UNHCR careers portal, filter vacancies by location and select United States to find the Legal Fellow announcement.
Visit the UNHCR Careers Portal – Official Website
Search for Legal Fellow, requisition ID JR2668853, and follow the instructions to complete the online application.
Opportunities Feed Assessment
This fellowship may be particularly relevant to recent U.S. law school graduates interested in refugee law, asylum, human rights, international protection and immigration policy.
The opportunity provides practical exposure to UNHCR’s protection work and allows fellows to develop experience in legal research, policy analysis and support for displaced and stateless persons.
However, two conditions are especially important: applicants must have U.S. work authorization for the entire year, and they must secure external funding. Meeting the academic requirements alone is not sufficient.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UNHCR Legal Fellowship Programme?
It is a one-year professional development opportunity supporting UNHCR’s Protection and Solutions Unit in Washington, D.C.
When does the fellowship start?
The 2027–2028 fellowship is scheduled to begin in September 2027.
How long does the fellowship last?
The fellowship lasts 12 months.
Who is eligible to apply?
Candidates must be 2027 degree candidates or recent graduates from U.S. law schools and must meet the stated academic and other eligibility requirements.
Does UNHCR provide a stipend?
No. Fellows must secure external funding for the full duration of the fellowship. UNHCR states that it does not provide financial or other funding support to fellows.
Is U.S. work authorization required?
Yes. Candidates must have work authorization in the United States for the entire fellowship period.
Is Spanish required?
Spanish fluency is essential for fellows working on U.S. southern border and protection policy issues in the Americas. It is highly desirable for other areas of work.
What documents are required?
Applicants need a cover letter, a writing sample of 5–10 pages and a completed online profile that includes three references.
When is the application deadline?
The deadline is 27 October 2026 at 5:59 p.m. EDT.
Can applications be submitted by email?
No. Applications must be submitted through the online UNHCR recruitment portal. Email may only be used to send cover-letter or writing-sample attachments that could not be uploaded successfully.
Does the fellowship guarantee future employment with UNHCR?
No. Completion of the fellowship does not create an expectation or entitlement to employment with UNHCR.
Disclaimer
Opportunities Feed is sharing this fellowship for informational and career purposes. We are not affiliated with UNHCR and do not recruit applicants on its behalf. Applicants should verify the latest requirements, funding conditions, work authorization rules and application instructions through the official UNHCR recruitment portal before applying.
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