Bernstein Fellowship
Bernstein Fellowship Application
Application Requirements
Applicants should submit the following materials:
| 1. a short personal statement (500 words maximum) describing the applicant’s relevant experience, interest in human rights work, and aspirations; 2. a concise summary (one paragraph) of the proposed Bernstein Fellowship project and its goals; 3. a project proposal (1,500 words maximum) including: a. a discussion of the problem or need that the proposed project will address, why this problem is important, how the project will address it, and other reasons for choosing this project; b. a discussion of how the applicant will implement the project and meet the project’s goals within the one-year fellowship period (a proposed timetable for the project should be included); c. identification of the sponsoring organization (if applicable) and other organizations or individuals who will assist the applicant with the project and a description of how they will assist and supervise the applicant; and d. a discussion of the applicant’s relevant skills, training, experience, or other significant background; 4. two or three letters of recommendation, including one letter from a current or former professor or other person associated with Yale Law School and one letter from a supervisor or employer familiar with the applicant’s human rights work or recent work experience (letters evaluating the proposed project and the applicant’s capacity to achieve the project’s goal are particularly helpful); 5. a resume with a list of additional references, both prior employers and professors; 6. a law school transcript (registrar may forward to Schell Center); 7. a letter, if applicable, from the sponsoring organization, detailing: a. the organization’s purpose and function b. its interest in, and commitment to, the proposed project c. the resources and supervision it will provide for the project d. how the Bernstein Fellowship will contribute to the organization’s efforts to further respect for human rights. If there is no sponsoring organization, the applicant should submit a short statement describing any consultations the applicant has had with human rights professionals or others working in related fields in developing the project proposal (250 words maximum); and 8. the Bernstein Application Brochure (link to PDF). |
Applications must be received at the Schell Center by February 9, 2009 to be considered for a fellowship beginning in the fall of 2008. Applicants are encouraged to consult with the Schell Center as they explore project possibilities and prepare their proposals.
Submit all materials by mail, courier, hand delivery, or email to:
Bernstein Fellowship Selection Committee
Orville H. Schell, Jr. Center for International Human Rights
Yale Law School
Mailing address
P.O. Box 208215
New Haven, CT 06520-8215
Courier address
127 Wall Street
New Haven, CT 06511
203 432-7480
schell.law@yale.edu