Deadline: January 16, 2026
Applications are open for the Arthur C. Helton Fellowship Program 2026. Established in 2004, the Arthur C. Helton Fellowship Program recognizes the legacy of Arthur Helton, a prominent refugee and human rights scholar and advocate. Helton died in the August 19, 2003 bombing of the UN mission in Baghdad. Since its founding the Helton Fellowship Program has enabled more than 120 young lawyers to pursue projects on four continents, expanding the capacity of dozens of international and non-governmental organizations.
Fellows undertake their projects in association with an established educational institution, international organization, governmental agency, or non-governmental organization working in areas related to international law, human rights, and humanitarian affairs. American Society of International Law (ASIL) does not assist in securing organizational sponsorship for Fellows. In acknowledgement of Arthur Helton’s commitment to human rights and humanitarian affairs in the field, preferential consideration may be given to applications demonstrating a significant fieldwork component as well as those involving the human rights of refugees, internally displaced persons, and other vulnerable populations. Applications for fieldwork in the area of international criminal law and international humanitarian law are also encouraged.
Benefits
- Helton Fellowships provide financial assistance in the form of “micro-grants” of $2,000 for law students and new professionals to pursue field work and research on significant issues involving international law, human rights, humanitarian affairs, and related areas.
Eligibility
- The Helton Fellowship Program seeks applicants in the early stages of their academic and professional careers who demonstrate the potential to make significant contributions to the use and study of international law around the world.
- Law students, practicing lawyers, human rights professionals, scholars, and other individuals seeking assistance in conducting international fieldwork and law-related research are encouraged to apply.
- Applicants can be of any nationality but must be current law students or have graduated from law school (at either the undergraduate or graduate levels) no earlier than December 2022.
Application
Successful applications must be submitted by the deadline to [email protected] and must include the following materials:
- Helton Fellowship application form
- Project Budget
- Writing Sample (limit of 10 pages)
- Current CV or résumé
- Confirmation of law student status and/or date of graduation from law school
- Letter of support from your sponsoring organization, including details of your proposed project, impact of the project to the sponsoring organization, on the region, or in the relevant field of international law and
- Two letters of recommendation.
Incomplete applications and those received after January 16, 2026, will not be reviewed under any circumstances. Awards will be announced in March 2026.
For more information, visit Helton Fellowship Program.
