Human Rights Project

Anthony Lester Fellowships 

Apply Here: https://apply.interfolio.com/178206

The Anthony Lester Fellowships support lawyers or law students undertaking practical fieldwork in human rights/ the rule of law.

The fellowships honour the memory and legacy of Anthony Lester QC (Lord Lester of Herne Hill), one of Britain’s most distinguished human rights lawyers. As a young lawyer, he twice visited the American South during the civil rights movement and wrote a report on race relations. His experiences there inspired his pioneering work as a barrister and legislator.

The Anthony Lester Fellowships are intended to support lawyers and law students early in their careers to undertake a project of their choosing that helps affect positive, practical change in relation to the rule of law and human rights, inspired by his experience. The fellowships are designed to support those who may not otherwise have the opportunity to undertake practical fieldwork overseas, for a minimum period of 3 months. The fellowships are administered by the Human Rights Project at Bard College, and supported by the Gatsby Charitable Foundation, the Open Society Foundation, and the Lester family.

How to Apply
The fellowships are open to lawyers or law students early in their careers. Applicants will need to submit a brief proposal (1250 words max) for their chosen project, a CV, and 2 references by February 13, 2026. Applicants will be informed of the results of the selection process by the end of March 2026. All interested applicants can apply at the following link: https://apply.interfolio.com/178206 

Please contact [email protected] with any application questions.

Terms of the Fellowship
Two fellowships will be awarded for activities beginning no sooner than July 1, 2026. Fellows will be awarded a stipend of US $25,000 to cover their costs during the fellowship. It is expected that the project will comprise full time work for the fellows for a minimum of three months.  At the end of the fellowship, fellows will be invited to give a presentation at Bard’s campus in New York’s Hudson Valley (their travel and accommodation costs will be paid). Fellows will write a short report on their project, to be published on the programme’s website. Fellows may wish to publish their report elsewhere (crediting their support from the Anthony Lester Fellowships at Bard College). They will also have the chance to discuss their work with those who worked with Anthony Lester at the Odysseus Trust, which supported his legislative work.

About Anthony Lester
Anthony Lester (1936-2020) was an eminent human rights barrister and legislator. He argued leading cases in British, European and Commonwealth courts and developed the burgeoning field of public law. He campaigned for thirty years for the Human Rights Act 1998. As special adviser to Roy Jenkins, he helped devise the Sex Discrimination and Race Relations Acts. His activities in the Lords led to legislation on civil partnership, forced marriage, equality and defamation reform. He worked with human rights NGOs at home and overseas and founded the human rights charity Interights. The ideas that motivated him are recorded in his book Five Ideas to Fight For (2016).

About Bard College
Founded in 1860, Bard College is a four-year residential college of the liberal arts and sciences located 90 miles north of New York City. With the addition of the Montgomery Place estate, Bard’s campus consists of nearly 1,000 park-like acres in the Hudson River Valley. It offers bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, and bachelor of music degrees, with majors in nearly 40 academic programs, graduate degrees in 13 programs, eight early colleges, and numerous dual-degree programs nationally and internationally. Building on its 163-year history as a competitive and innovative undergraduate institution, Bard College has expanded its mission as a private institution acting in the public interest across the country and around the world to meet broader student needs and increase access to liberal education. The undergraduate program at our main campus in upstate New York has a reputation for scholarly excellence, a focus on the arts, and civic engagement. Bard is committed to enriching culture, public life, and democratic discourse by training tomorrow’s thought leaders.

For more information about Bard College, visit http://bard.edu

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Bard is an equal-opportunity employer, and we welcome applications from those who contribute to our diversity. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, mental, or physical disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, familial status, veteran status, or genetic information.

Bard is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for all individuals in employment practices, services, programs, and activities.

AA/EOE