Solidarity Fellows

To apply, send a complete application with all supporting documents in one PDF by Friday, July 10, 2026, 11:59 pm PST to solidarityfellows@gmail.com. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applicants will be notified by late-July 2026 if they are chosen for an interview. Fellowships begin August 24, 2026. See more below.

The PBI-USA U.S. Human Rights Defenders International Solidarity Fellowship is a 9 month fellowship for U.S.-based non-violent activists committed to social justice who are interested in working with PBI and developing a deep understanding of the international human rights system and the interconnectedness of the struggles of human rights defenders around the world, including in the U.S.

Fellows will gain skills necessary to become effective advocates as well as allies. Fellows should recognize themselves as human rights defenders and seek to expand their understanding of the international rights and protections afforded human rights defenders as well as opportunities to take action in solidarity with threatened human rights defenders and movements across the country and around the world.

Fellows will develop a thorough understanding of PBI’s protective accompaniment model, the international human rights framework, and solidarity actions that can protect human rights defenders from government-sponsored violence and repression. Fellows will also explore approaches to self-care that can help build their own resilience in the movement.

As a Solidarity Fellow with PBI-USA, your responsibilities are the following:

• Produce 3 fundraising appeals and 3 blog posts throughout the year on the issues impacting PBI-accompanied human rights defenders as well as defenders in the U.S. 
• Support PBI’s outreach efforts through the implementation of targeted social media campaigns
• Provide monthly facilitation to a PBI-USA committee and work with committee members to develop a work plan for committee work 
• Meet at least 3x per month on zoom - once as a full fellowship cohort, once 1:1 with the fellowship supervisor, and once in committee. Fellows are expected to actively share, learn, and collaborate during cohort meetings, which will typically consist of collaborative work time and/or skill-building workshops.
• Conduct 1-on-1 conversations with policy makers, peer organizational leaders, or PBI team members to build relationships and map allies and potential partners for committee work
• Coordinate the development of content by PBI-USA team members for PBI-USA’s fundraising, advocacy, and public education campaigns
• Attend relevant events and meetings to liaise with other organizations on fundraising and communications strategies for human rights protection
• Plan and facilitate at least one educational event (virtual or in D.C.) on the work of a PBI-accompanied defender or on protective accompaniment (speaker panel, film screening, webinar, campus tabling, or classroom presentation) 
• Attend PBI-USA’s annual Washington, D.C. convening and participate in advocacy and fundraising meetings 
• Organize at least one event in their community with a call to action/call for solidarity (can be combined with the educational event: a letter-writing campaign to an imprisoned defender, a social media campaign that raises awareness, a sustainer’s campaign that increases the support for PBI’s work, meeting with elected officials to request they make public statements, etc)

Fellows must select one or more thematic area to anchor their work during the fellowship, connecting PBI’s global work to issues and targeted communities that align with their current work (volunteer or paid) or their studies. See below a list of potential issues to select as a focus. An issue not listed below may be selected as long as it is an issue impacting a community or defender accompanied by PBI.

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What Fellows Receive:

• Stipend & Financial Support: A total stipend of $3,500, paid in three installments upon completion of program milestones
• Full coverage of travel, housing, and meals for the Washington, D.C. convening
• Funding to attend a conference relevant to the Fellowship (e.g., the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) annual sessions, UN General Assembly, Southern Human Rights Organizers’ Conference, or other relevant conference or convening)
   
• Training & Professional Development: Deep orientation to PBI’s protective accompaniment model and the international human rights defender framework
• Advocacy and campaign skills development: planning for high-level advocacy meetings and tours, relational organizing and fund development, coalition building, and grassroots mobilization
• Communications and outreach skills development: public speaking, social media, writing think pieces and blog posts, and storytelling for human rights
• One-on-one mentorship and coaching from PBI-USA leadership
• Access to PBI-USA’s network of international volunteers, field teams, and partner organizations
   
• Platforms & Community: Opportunities to contribute to reports, articles, and other publications.
• Introductions to allied organizations working on HRD protection, solidarity, and international human rights
• A lasting cohort of peer advocates from across the country
• Certificate of completion and a professional reference from PBI-USA

Applications are open to any person who:

• Resides in the United States, including its territories, and is either a U.S. citizen or is authorized to work in the U.S. for the duration of the fellowship  
• Can commit 20 hours per month to fellowship activities for the full 9 months 
• Has reliable access to the internet and a device capable of video calls. The fellowship is remote with one fellow to be located in Washington, D.C.
• Is able to travel to Washington, D.C. for the annual convening (travel, housing, and meals covered by PBI-USA)

PBI-USA will select 4 Fellows who collectively represent a diversity of backgrounds, geographies, and issue areas, with one fellow to be based in Washington, D.C. Strong applicants will demonstrate attributes or skills from both columns below.

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To apply, send a complete application with all requested documents in one PDF, including a letter of recommendation, by Fri, July 10, 2026, 11:59 pm PT to solidarityfellows@gmail.com. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applicants will be notified by late-July 2026. Fellowships begin August 24, 2026.

A complete application includes:

     1.  A completed application cover sheet and signed application checklist.

     2.  A curriculum vitae/resume, indicating all experience (academic studies, fieldwork, volunteer work, organizing/advocacy work, and other work) relevant to the fellowship.
     3.  One letter of recommendation from a person in a position to affirm the value of the fellowship to your current work or studies. 
     4.  Statement of purpose (2–5 pages, doubled-spaced, 12-point font), describing your interest in the fellowship and addressing the following questions:

• What is your chosen PBI-accompanied defender, group, or community and thematic focus area for the fellowship?
• Why are you interested in that particular issue? Do you have a particular interest/expertise/experience in this area?
• How will the fellowship build on your current academic or career interests or community work?
• What role will the fellowship play in your long-term career, organizing or study plans?
• Have you spent time working on your proposed focus area? If so, outline your previous experience that specifically pertains to your proposed fellowship work. If not, describe how you will prepare yourself for your proposed fellowship work. Address any issues related to fluency in a language other than English.

PBI-USA is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion/spirituality, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ability/disability, political party affiliation, national origin, or any other basis protected by applicable law. PBI-USA affirms that diversity in these areas is critical to the maintenance of a healthy organization. PBI-USA works to maintain and improve the caliber of staff through employment of the best qualified applicants without discrimination.