Thanks to the generous support of our donors, we are able to offer a number of fellowship, scholarship and funding opportunities to our students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Undergraduate Opportunities
Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs Undergraduate Research Fellowship
These awards offer undergraduate students the opportunity to conduct research with a faculty member on a human rights topic. The $2500 fellowships are competitive and awarded on a yearly basis. Applications are due April 1 each year for the following academic year.
Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, CV, and brief letter of support from their faculty research advisor to Dr. Courtney Hillebrecht at chillebrecht2@unl.edu. The cover letter should describe the project and its relationship to the applicant’s course of study and professional goals.
Jessica Lutton Bedient Study Abroad Scholarship
This scholarship honors the memory of Jessica Lutton Bedient and provides up to $2500 for students conducting human rights-related coursework, research and/or experiential learning while abroad. The scholarships are competitive and offered on a yearly basis. The application deadline for summer is March 1, fall or academic year is April 1 and spring or winter break is October 1. Virtual International Programs offered through the UNL Education Abroad office do qualify for this scholarship.
Learn more and apply:
Jessica Lutton Bedient Scholarship
Graduate Opportunities
Dr. Joseph Elston Fellowship
The Department of Political Science, in consultation with the Forsythe Family Program on Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs, is pleased to invite proposals for the 2025-2026 Dr. Joseph Elston Graduate Research Grants. This grant provides up to $1000 for research-related expenses on international security and/or human rights-related projects. Research expenses can include, but are not limited to, fieldwork, surveys, conference travel, and software purchases.
Eligibility Requirements
All applicants must be currently enrolled in the MA or Ph.D. program in Political Science and be writing a graduate (M.A. or Ph.D.) thesis. Priority is given to applicants working on a human rights and/or security-related topic.
Application Requirement
Please submit these application materials:
- A current CV
- A project abstract
- A one- to two-page explanation of the proposed work, including a discussion of how it will advance your thesis and contribute to a peer-reviewed publication and/or additional grant application.
- An itemized budget. If completing your project depends on securing additional funds, please identify your other source(s) of funding.
Applications will be reviewed twice per academic year. For consideration for funding for Fall 2025, all application materials are due by September 20, 2025, via email to chillebrecht2@unl.edu. For consideration for funding for Spring or Summer 2026, all application materials are due by January 20, 2026, also via email to chillebrecht2@unl.edu.
Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs Research Grants
The HRHA program is pleased to be able to support our graduate students with $750 for research-related expenses. Awards are offered on a rolling, competitive basis.
To apply
Submit a cover letter, CV, and budget/budget justification to Dr. Courtney Hillebrecht at chillebrecht2@nebraska.edu.
- The cover letter should describe the project and its relationship to the applicant’s course of study and professional goals.
- The brief budget and budget justification should include an indication of how HRHA funding fits into your larger budget.
Mary McClymont Graduate Award for Research on Forced Migration
This award, of up to $1500, supports graduate students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln conducting research on forced migration. Students with a graduate specialization in Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs will be prioritized in the application review process, but graduate students outside of the specialization are also invited to apply. Applications are due April 1 each year for the following academic year.
To apply
Submit a cover letter, CV, and budget/budget justification to Dr. Courtney Hillebrecht at chillebrecht2@unl.edu.
- The cover letter should describe the project and its relationship to the applicant’s course of study and professional goals.
- The brief budget and budget justification, including an indication of how this funding fits into your larger budget.