Every summer, the IHRP offers students exceptional opportunities to gain immersive, hands-on experience in human rights work in Canada and around the world. Fellows work with leading organizations and institutions, such as United Nations agencies, international courts and tribunals, and human rights organizations, including at the grassroots level. The IHRP also offers students the opportunity to contribute directly to the IHRP’s work through in-house summer fellowships.
Since 1988, the IHRP has supported more than 500 student fellowships, providing generations of U of T Law students with invaluable professional experience while contributing directly to human rights work on a wide range of issues.
Emily Walker, IHRP Fellow, 2025Through the IHRP, I spent my summer supporting asylum seekers at the Canada–US Border Rights Clinic, where I saw firsthand the gap between Canada’s human rights commitments and the realities at its borders. Helping clients understand their rights and navigate complex legal processes was both challenging and profoundly meaningful. I’m grateful to the IHRP for an experience that strengthened my resolve to pursue a career in rights based advocacy.
Yasmin Rajwani, IHRP Fellow, 2025As an IHRP fellow with the International Development Law Organization last summer, I had the opportunity to work alongside international human rights lawyers from across the globe in The Hague, Netherlands – the world capital of peace and justice. Supporting the organization’s work on people-centered justice and combating discrimination against women and girls was deeply enriching. Through this experience, I was able to strengthen my growing skillset in law and international human rights, all while immersing myself in Dutch culture!
Kabir Singh Dhillon, IHRP Fellow, 2024 [pictured on the right]I worked alongside and learned directly from workers, advocates, organizers, and lawyers, which opened my eyes to the challenges and complexities of seeking justice for migrant workers. I come away from this summer in awe of the resilience and love that migrant workers and those supporting them on the ground embody every day. This is humbling and serves as great motivation for my future academic and professional career.
Julia Ford, IHRP Fellow, 2024Filling a significant gap in migrant justice, I was part of a small but mighty team of four working to support migrants seeking protection at the border. I got to see the clinic evolve from an idea I was excited to hear about during my interview in May, to a legal service which launched in July, and then supported 84 migrants by the time I finished my placement in August!
Past IHRP Fellowships
To view a student's fellowship report, click on their name.
Apply to an IHRP Fellowship
Note: Applications for Summer 2027 will open in Fall 2026. For information on application requirements and eligibility, please refer to the 2026 IHRP Summer Fellowship Guide below. Please note that application requirements and eligibility may change for 2027 IHRP Summer Fellowships. An updated guide will be posted in Fall 2026.