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Refugees International is excited to announce a call for applications for the 2025 cohort of its Refugee Fellows Program, set to start in August 2025.
Opportunity Details
This unique fellowship focuses on enriching and supporting the existing advocacy efforts of emerging forcibly displaced leaders around the world. Our 2025 cohort is tailored to maximize the growth of our fellows and the impact of their work. The year-long program will ensure that fellows receive robust support for the advocacy goals they are pursuing. Refugees International is committed to providing the necessary tools, resources, and access to amplify refugee and displaced people’s voices and drive change in the advocacy landscape.
Fellows will be formally affiliated with Refugees International. They will collaborate closely with Refugees International staff to support their advocacy work. This may include a Refugees International report and/or other forms of analysis and advocacy—including externally published opinion pieces, events, direct advocacy with policy makers, participation in international donor and policy forums, and/or media interviews.
Fellows will partner with Refugees International staff through the fellowship program and benefit from peer-to-peer learning opportunities with other cohort members. Fellows will also receive formal training on advocacy and communication skills and strategies from Refugees International staff members and experts, in addition to opportunities for informal training.
Duration: Aug 1, 2025 to July 30, 2026.
Fellows will receive a $15,000 grant in four quarterly installments throughout the year, for working up to seven hours a week.
Key Components of the Fellowship:
1. Technical Training: Enhancing skills such as public speaking, advocacy planning, and fundraising, or other themes tailored to meet the needs of the fellows.
2. Professional Networking: supporting fellows to network with figures in the humanitarian field, fostering professional relationships and collaborative opportunities.
3. Collaborative Advocacy Events and Trips:Offering opportunities for partnership with Refugees International on key advocacy issues through collaborative events and research trips.
The fellowship is open to applicants from all countries. However, priority will be given to emerging forcibly displaced individuals working in regions, countries, and on themes that align with Refugees International’s current advocacy priorities. These may include contexts where Refugees International is actively engaged or where there are critical gaps in refugee and displacement-related advocacy that the organization seeks to address.
With financial support from Refugees International, fellows will be expected to:
Time Commitment and Accountability: Fellows are expected to work up to seven trackable hours per week with the Refugees International team. They should ensure they have sufficient time to prioritize fellowship tasks and remain accountable for meeting deliverables and program objectives.
Participate in Regular Meetings: Attendance at regular meetings is a must for staying aligned with the program’s objectives and collaborative efforts.
Attend an In-Person Retreat: If feasible, fellows will participate in an in-person retreat, with details to be agreed on with the fellows.
Publish at Least One Publication: Each fellow is required to publish at least one piece of written work during their fellowship, which could include a statement, policy brief, op-ed, report, or similar publication.
Plan and Conduct a Field Research Trip: If feasible, fellows should organize a field research trip in collaboration with Refugees International aimed at supporting mutual advocacy efforts.
Participate in Regional or/and Global Refugee-Related Events: If feasible, fellows will take part in one or more regional or/and global events addressing forcible displacement issues.
Other Requirements:
Language Proficiencies:
English language competency is preferred for the ultimate success of the fellowship program so that fellows may engage with all aspects of Refugees International work and staff. Competency in other key advocacy and local languages also preferred.
Digital Access:
This is a remote program, so candidates must have their own computer and internet access to participate.
Eligibility for Grant:
Fellows must have a bank account to which the grant can be transferred in adherence with U.S. law.
Performance Review:
Fellows will go through quarterly performance reviews. If fellows are found not to be meeting the fellowship objectives and deliverables, Refugees International reserves the right to suspend the fellowship.
For first-time applicants:
Click the link to the application website, then select "Register" at the top right corner of your screen to create an account. Once your account is set up, you can begin your application.
If you’ve applied before:
Just click "Log In" at the top right corner to access your account.