US Program Intern

US Program Intern

Application Deadline: February 20, 2026

The US Program of Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking a current graduate or law student to intern mid-March 2026 through May 2026, with the possibility to extend. A qualified candidate will have a strong interest and ideally some educational or work experience connected to advancing racial justice in the right to vote, the right to protest the criminal legal system, and/or immigration/migration/border rights—priority issues for the US Program. Ideally, the intern will be available for 15-20 hours a week, start date and schedule hours are flexible.

Interns may have the option of reporting to an HRW office on a voluntary basis where US Program staff also work in New York or Washington D.C. Remote arrangements will remain an option for the foreseeable future.

Responsibilities:

1. Conducting desk research into the historical and current context of racial justice issues using research tools such as legal libraries, databases, and information sharing platforms;
2. Conducting desk research into US federal agencies, US administrative code, and federal mechanisms for investigating and enforcing antidiscrimination laws in the United States;
3. Compiling the weekly race and democracy newsletter roundup, including identifying, reviewing, and summarizing relevant news, reports, and developments;
4. Conducting research related to the right to protest and media freedom, including analyzing laws, policies, court decisions, and documented incidents;
5. Assisting in making freedom of information requests and tracking responses;
6. Monitoring legislation and US government policies;
7. Conducting data analysis or creating databases to support research projects;
8. Assisting in drafting or editing text to support the production of written research products including reports, press releases, dispatches, or op-eds;
9. Supporting advocacy activities and social media engagement, including assembling and promoting social media posts and compiling press and social media lists; and
10. Attending meetings and taking notes;

Other projects may be assigned as opportunities arise. Students may also have opportunities to attend lectures, trainings, professional development workshops, or special events relating to the issues the US Program works on, as well as connect with other HRW interns, volunteers, and staff. As an HRW intern, students are expected to take the knowledge and skills acquired in school and apply them in a professional setting.

Qualifications: 

1. Applicants must be currently enrolled in a graduate or law school program for the duration of the internship term.
2. Applicants should have strong organization skills, be self-motivated, and reliable with a demonstrated commitment to racial justice and human rights.
3. Exhibit strong research skills, including the ability to conduct thorough desk research, synthesize information from multiple sources, and present findings clearly and accurately.
4. Excellent computer skills (e.g., Microsoft Office, internet applications) and experience with research databases and tools is strongly preferred.
5. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required.

Applicants who are offered an internship must possess valid work authorization in the United States for the duration of the internship.

Compensation: Internship compensation varies by jurisdiction based on local laws and HRW policy. Interns in the US will be paid an hourly wage of USD 17.00 per hour. Human Rights Watch offers interns in the US twenty (20) days of vacation prorated per year pursuant to the intern schedule and length of internship. Students are often able to arrange academic credit, as HRW internships may offer direct exposure to the workings of an international human rights organization, close supervision by HRW staff, and interaction with other US and international organizations and foreign and domestic government officials. Students should check with their individual academic institutions for requirements. 

How to Apply: Please apply immediately by visiting our online job portal at: https://careers.hrw.org and attaching a CV/resume, letter of interest/cover letter, and a brief writing sample. No calls or email inquiries, please. Only complete applications will be reviewed. Due to the large number of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted further.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your application submission, please email internships@hrw.org . Due to the large response, application submissions via email will not be accepted and inquiries regarding the status of applications will go unanswered.

Human Rights Watch is strong because it is diverse. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. Human Rights Watch does not discriminate on the basis of disability, age, gender identity and expression, national origin, race and ethnicity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or criminal record. We welcome all kinds of diversity. Our employees include people who are parents and nonparents, the self-taught and university educated, and from a wide span of socio-economic backgrounds and perspectives on the world. Human Rights Watch is an equal opportunity employer.

Human Rights Watch is an international human rights monitoring and advocacy organization known for its in-depth investigations, its incisive and timely reporting, its innovative and high-profile advocacy campaigns, and its success in changing the human rights-related policies and practices of influential governments and international institutions.