In Fall 2026, PBI-USA is launching a new 9-month fellowship program.
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.
- Provide monthly facilitation to a PBI-USA committee.
Develop a work plan with committee members for committee work - 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 NCC members for PBI-USA’s fundraising, advocacy, and public education campaigns.
- Attend relevant events and meetings to liaise with other organizations on grassroots fundraising strategy
- Plan and facilitate at least one educational event 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 and fundraising component (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
- Support PBI’s recruitment efforts through the implementation of targeted social media campaigns
The position requires:
- Commitment to human rights and nonviolence
- Experience organizing or leading advocacy campaigns in a campus, faith, labor, or community setting.
- Demonstrated leadership — formal or informal
- Ability to work across difference and in coalition
- Excitement to learn and grow — regardless of experience level
- Willingness to use consensus-based decision-making
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- The ability to work under own initiative
- Authorization to work in the U.S.
- Fluency in English and Spanish
- Basic computer skills and fluency in Canva (graphic design and audio and video editing), Word Processing, and Zoom or other interface for webinars.
Desirable:
- Drupal/website editing experience
- Previous experience working in consensus and non-hierarchical work environments
- Previous experience working on issues pertaining to protection and/or human rights defenders.
- A good working knowledge of International Human Rights and/or International Humanitarian Law.
- Students and recent graduates in law, international relations, human rights, social work, journalism, or related fields
Individuals from communities disproportionately impacted by human rights violations - Advocates for environmental/land rights, LGBTQ+ rights, Indigenous rights, racial justice, or gender equity
Applications are open to any person who:
- Resides in the United States, including its territories, and is either a U.S. citizen or holds work-permit status
- 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)
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, Netroots Nation, or other relevant national conference)
- 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
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, including the letters of recommendation. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applicants will be notified by late-July 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._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.
4._One letter of recommendation from a person in a position to affirm the value of the fellowship to your current work or studies. The recommendation letter should be addressed to the PBI-USA Executive Director at solidarityfellows@gmail.com.
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.