About RWI The Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (RWI) is an independent academic institution that combines multi-disciplinary human rights research with education, support and outreach to contribute to a wider understanding of, and respect for, human rights and international humanitarian law. Our impact extends across more than 40 countries, and we have offices in Lund (HQ), Addis Ababa, Bangkok, Harare, Jakarta, Kyiv, Nairobi, Phnom Penh, and Yerevan.

About the Afghanistan programme Our Afghanistan programme aims to support Afghan scholars and professionals in continuing to pursue a career in human rights in the post-August 2021 setting. The programme also supports the development and publication of quality research outputs and other forms of public outreach and dialogue on human rights and gender equality issues in Afghanistan. RWI hosts and collaborates with the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan (hereafter “UNSR”), who since September 2022 is a Visiting Professor at RWI. For more details about RWI’s work on Afghanistan, see: https://rwi.lu.se/afghanistan-programme/

About the fellowships This call is for two paid full-time fellowships during 2026. RWI’s fellowships for Afghan scholars and professionals are a central component of our Afghanistan Programme. The purpose of the research fellowships is to support Afghan researchers, scholars, and human rights practitioners in conducting research on key human rights and gender equality issues related to the situation in Afghanistan, with the aim of expanding and deepening the analytical knowledge base and informing public debate. With academic mentorship from the RWI Director of Research and Education, and under the direction of RWI Visiting Professor, UNSR Richard Bennett, the fellows’ work and research will both aim to create quality research, and to directly support the work and research of the UNSR. The fellows will also be expected to help organize, and take part in, roundtables and seminars. This will allow them to both gain more experience, to contribute, and to more fully take advantage of the expertise and resources available at RWI, at LU, and in RWI’s wider academic and professional networks.

Overall, Fellows will, in support of and as agreed with the UNSR, take part in promoting and raising awareness of human rights in Afghanistan, and in informing discussions among the international community, including at the UN Human Rights Council, on how to support the Afghan people under current circumstances. They will also, through their research, contribute to the deeper analyses of patterns and obstacles to the realization of human rights in Afghanistan as well as of promising practices and enabling factors.

The fellowships may be undertaken on-site at RWI’s office in Lund, Sweden, provided that the applicant has, or can obtain, a work permit in Sweden. There is also a hybrid option, which includes remote working and visits to Lund. For the hybrid option, it is recommended that the fellow should spend at least three months in Lund and this option does not require a work permit in Sweden. For both modalities, a supportive and conducive research environment will be provided, with access to RWI library resources, to diverse academic seminars and policy forums, and to a research community both among fellows, and with other scholars from RWI and Lund University (LU). All fellows will have the same academic and substantive support of an RWI mentor and of the UNSR.

Focus of the 2026 Fellowship Based on each selected Fellow’s expertise and experiences, they will develop individual research plans in dialogue with the academic mentor and with the Visiting Professor, with a view to contribute to the UNSR’s research agenda. In terms of research areas, applicants are encouraged to review the UNSR’s reports with particular regard to the recommendations, in formulating research interests. For the 2026 fellowship cycle, and considering that the Taliban have been in power for more than four years, research proposals are invited that examine the impact of the Taliban’s mission to transform Afghan society through actions (for example, edicts, decrees, the Law on the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice) or institutions (for example, madrassas or state media). Applicants are encouraged to explore how the society and daily life is changing under the Taliban’s rule, the ways in which the Taliban are achieving or failing to achieve their goals, and the reasons for this, including the resistance of Afghans, and what these changes mean for the protection and realization of human rights.

Possible areas of inquiry may include, but are not limited to:

• The media including State and social media
• The changing conditions for women, girls, and marginalized communities;
• The education curriculum;
• The long-term effects on rights awareness;
• The impact on the economy;
• The trend towards normalization of the Taliban’s ideology both internally and internationally.

While the above areas are broad, applicants are strongly encouraged to narrow their focus to a specific question, case study, institution, or discourse that can be meaningfully explored within the one-year fellowship period. For instance, a proposal might examine the discourse on women in Afghanistan National Radio and how it has evolved since the Taliban takeover or analyze changes in the education curriculum through a close study of selected textbooks or policy documents. Another example could be a focused study of the social media narratives of a few influential policy leaders and how these reflect broader ideological or policy trends. These are merely illustrative examples; it is up to applicants to define their own specific focus within the broader themes mentioned above. Importantly, applicants are advised to avoid overly general or wide-ranging topics and instead define a clear, manageable research scope that allows for depth of analysis and methodological rigor.

Regardless of thematic focus, RWI encourages and recommends that all proposals incorporate an intersectional and context-sensitive analysis, and where possible, draw on empirical evidence and field-based insights.

Apart from the qualification criteria listed below, RWI is committed to fostering diversity with regards to gender, ethnicity, and background in the selection of research fellows. Complementarity of research areas is another factor that may weigh into the final selection.

Fellowship Timeline and Selection Two fellows will be selected through this call, with the fellowship expected to start in January 2026. Depending on the availability of funding, a second call for applications may open in April 2026, which could allow for additional fellows to join the fellowship programme.

Qualifications and Selection Criteria This call for applications is open to all Afghan researchers and human rights professionals residing outside of Afghanistan who meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Afghan National;
• Advanced degree in human rights or related area;
• Extensive experience working academically and/or practically for/with human rights;
• Ability to communicate professionally in oral and written English (proficiency in English demonstrated through certificates, sample texts and oral interviews with RWI) as well as in at least one Afghan national language;
• Capacity to work full time on the research project and related tasks included in the fellowship for the entire duration of the fellowship (in principle the 12 months of 2026). See further below regarding the requirements implied in accepting the fellowship.

Please review conditions and benefits of RWI's Fellowship: https://lu.app.box.com/s/b75732f5xstw91p4ry1atp47pi19pmam/file/2030715986036

Your application In order to be considered, applications must include:

• A concept note describing the applicants’ research proposal. We recommend that all applicants use the following structure for their concept note: Title: A clear, concise title that reflects the focus of your research. Introduction/Background: Briefly explain the background and rationale for your research topic. Problem Statement: Identify the main issue or gap in the field that your research will address. Relevance: Connect the problem to current debates, policies, or developments. Highlight why it is important in relation to the goals of the fellowship programme. Research Objectives: Clearly state the objectives or aims of your research. These should align with the fellowship's priorities and broader themes. Research Questions: List the main research question(s) that will guide your work. Make sure they are focused, clear, and answerable within the scope of the fellowship. Proposed Methodology: Describe the methodology or approach you plan to use. Indicate how you will collect data (e.g., interviews, surveys, archival research). Explain how you will analyze the data or information gathered. Expected Outcomes: Outline the expected results or contributions of your research. The recommended length of your concept note is 800-1500 words.
• A personal statement in support of your application (maximum 800 words) outlining your motivation for applying, and how your research interests, expertise and experience align with the aims of RWI’s Afghanistan programme and Fellowships;
• A CV (maximum 3 pages);

Optional annex to applications:

• List of publications (with indication of the most representative publication).

Application deadline is 19 November 2025 at 12:00 CET. Applicants can expect to be notified of the selection in December 2025.

RWI welcomes applications from candidates from a broad range of backgrounds of researching and working on human rights related to Afghanistan.

For any questions related to the fellowship, please contact Senior Programme Officer David Eile at david.eile@rwi.lu.se