Refugees International: 2025 Refugee Fellows Program – Call for Applications
Refugees International is pleased to open applications for the 2025 cohort of its Refugee Fellows Program, beginning in August 2025. This distinctive, year-long fellowship is designed to support the advocacy efforts of emerging leaders with lived experience of forced displacement. Through training, collaboration, and access to resources, the program empowers fellows to drive meaningful change in the global advocacy landscape and amplify the voices of refugees and displaced people.
Program Overview
The Refugee Fellows Program offers selected individuals a structured yet flexible opportunity to advance their existing advocacy initiatives in collaboration with Refugees International. Fellows will formally affiliate with the organization and receive mentorship, capacity-building training, and strategic support for their work. Each fellow will be encouraged to pursue an advocacy agenda that is impactful and tailored to their context, with a focus on global influence.
This may include contributing to Refugees International reports, publishing opinion pieces, engaging in direct advocacy with policymakers, participating in donor or policy forums, collaborating on research trips, and speaking in the media. Fellows will also benefit from peer-to-peer exchange within the cohort and access to Refugees International staff expertise and external networks.
Fellowship Details
- Duration: August 1, 2025 – July 30, 2026
- Time Commitment: Up to 7 hours per week
- Grant: $15,000, disbursed in four quarterly payments
- Location: Remote (with optional in-person engagements)
The fellowship is open to applicants from any country, though priority will be given to forcibly displaced individuals working in regions, on themes, or in countries aligned with Refugees International’s strategic priorities. These may include areas where Refugees International is currently engaged or where advocacy gaps urgently need attention.
Key Program Components
- Technical Training
Fellows will participate in structured training on core advocacy and communication skills such as public speaking, media engagement, policy brief writing, and fundraising. Training will be tailored to the needs of the cohort and led by experienced Refugees International staff and expert practitioners. - Professional Networking
Fellows will be supported to expand their professional networks by engaging with humanitarian leaders, civil society actors, media professionals, and policymakers. These connections may lead to new partnerships, speaking opportunities, and collaborations. - Collaborative Advocacy
Fellows will work on joint initiatives with Refugees International, such as hosting events, contributing to research, or participating in field missions. Collaborative advocacy may include in-person or virtual engagements depending on feasibility and local context. - Wellbeing and Support
Recognizing the challenges that can come with advocacy, particularly for individuals with lived experience of displacement, the fellowship offers optional access to customized mental health support services throughout the year.
Fellow Responsibilities
Fellows are expected to:
- Maintain a Weekly Commitment: Dedicate up to 7 hours per week to the fellowship, track time, and ensure progress toward agreed goals.
- Attend Regular Meetings: Participate in scheduled cohort and one-on-one check-ins with Refugees International staff.
- Join an In-Person Retreat: If feasible, attend a retreat organized by Refugees International to connect with other fellows and staff.
- Publish at Least One Advocacy Output: Each fellow must produce at least one publication during the year (e.g., op-ed, policy brief, or report).
- Conduct a Field Research Trip: Fellows are encouraged to organize a research activity or site visit that supports mutual advocacy efforts, if possible.
- Participate in Key Events: Attend at least one regional or global event focused on refugee and displacement issues, if feasible.
Program Requirements
- Language: English proficiency is preferred to ensure full participation in program activities. Additional language skills relevant to regional advocacy contexts are also valued.
- Digital Access: This is a remote fellowship; applicants must have reliable internet access and a personal computer.
- Banking Requirements: Fellows must have access to a bank account that can legally receive international payments under U.S. law.
Performance and Accountability
Fellows will undergo quarterly performance reviews to assess progress toward deliverables. Refugees International reserves the right to discontinue fellowships if expectations are not met.
How to Apply
Applicants must complete the online application form here and submit the following:
- Responses to two short-form questions (maximum 400 words each)
- A current resume
- Names and contact information for three professional references
- A brief work plan outlining proposed goals and activities for the fellowship year
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to participate in a panel interview in June or July 2025.
Application Deadline: June 15, 2025
Refugees International strongly encourages applications from forcibly displaced individuals, including asylum seekers, refugees, and stateless persons, with a commitment to equity, inclusion, and the amplification of underrepresented voices in global advocacy.
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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the hiring company. For any inquiries, please contact the hiring organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
