Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Fellowship Program

RFK Human Rights provides fellows with the opportunity to contribute to meaningful change while developing the skills and networks necessary to become leaders in the human rights field.


As a leader in the fight for social justice, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights provides fellows with hands-on experience in advancing human rights through advocacy, litigation, and policy work. Fellows are embedded in programs where they take on meaningful projects to address systemic abuses, promote government accountability, and drive transformative change.

The RFK Human Rights Fellowship provides law students and young lawyers with the opportunity to engage in high-impact projects across our programs. It offers hands-on experience in human rights advocacy and a chance to make meaningful contributions. Fellows gain unique exposure to our ongoing cases, strategic litigation, policy reforms, and advocacy efforts to drive systemic change.


U.S. Advocacy and Litigation

Fellows in this program are involved in cases challenging systemic human rights abuses in the United States, including conditions in immigration detention centers, excessive use of force by law enforcement, and discrimination within the justice system. Projects involve pursuing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) litigation to uncover government misconduct, advocating for policy reforms that improve standards of care for detainees, and seeking reparations for abuses faced by marginalized populations such as LGBTQ individuals, Black and Indigenous people, and people with disabilities. This includes engaging in strategic litigation to challenge discriminatory laws and working on policy initiatives to enhance civic engagement and participation for marginalized communities. The program equips them to advocate for justice and systemic change within the U.S. legal framework.

International Advocacy and Litigation

Fellows work with legal experts to investigate and address human rights violations globally. Projects may involve litigation in international forums such as the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, the European Court of Human Rights, or United Nations mechanisms, addressing issues like corporate exploitation, enforced disappearances, and torture. Fellows also engage in policy advocacy, drafting legal documents, submitting petitions, and collaborating with international NGOs to strengthen legal frameworks that protect human rights, gaining a comprehensive understanding of international legal systems and contributing directly to global efforts to uphold human rights standards and secure justice for affected communities.

Compass Investors

Fellows engage with private market investors managing nearly $7 trillion in assets, driving social justice initiatives within investment practices. They work on issues like economic and racial equity, the prison industrial complex, and the protection of essential workers. The program emphasizes integrating social justice considerations into environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investment criteria to generate both financial and societal impact.