About RWI

The Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (RWI) is an independent academic institution that combines interdisciplinary research with education, support, and outreach activities to contribute to increased understanding of and respect for human rights and international humanitarian law.

We operate in over 40 countries worldwide, and have offices in Lund (head office), Bangkok, Harare, Jakarta, Kyiv, Nairobi, Phnom Penh, and Yerevan.

Programme Background

As Ukraine advances toward EU accession, alignment with Chapter 23 - Judiciary and Fundamental Rights of the EU, Ukraine Negotiations Framework remains central to securing sustainable reforms grounded in human rights and the rule of law. In this context, strengthening national research capacity is both timely and strategic. The Raoul Wallenberg Institute (RWI) through its Research Academy on Human Rights and EU Law will support PhD students enrolled at Ukrainian universities and faculty members who are working on development of separate course modules or methodological support to a course included into current curricular (development of cases, practical assignments, role plays scenarios, moot courts materials etc.),  in conducting independent, high-quality research relevant to human rights and the EU accession process. By providing dedicated time, academic resources, and institutional mentoring, the Research Academy aims to enhance methodological rigor, strengthen national knowledge production, foster academic networks, and generate publishable, policy-relevant scholarship that contributes to legal, institutional, and societal reforms.

The Research Academy offers structured academic support to ensure research excellence and publication readiness through individual mentoring by senior researchers, peer-review feedback, writing workshops, and guidance on publication strategies as well development of the practical course materials. The Academy Fellows will receive support for submitting their work to peer-reviewed journals or edited volumes, with opportunities to publish through RWI channels, contingent to the quality of the publication, as well as assistance in developing policy briefs and dissemination strategies.

Please, note that RWI does not guarantee or provide publications in the academic journals, magazines etc. included into the databases Scopus and Web of Science. The Research Academy supports participants in translating their research into policy-relevant recommendations that contribute to reform discussions under Chapter 23 of the EU – Ukraine Negotiations Framework.

Programme Structure

The Research Academy will be implemented in three phases:

1) Launch Workshop (tentatively August 2026)

An initial in-person workshop in Kyiv will introduce fellows to:

• Orientation and fellowship expectations
• Chapter 23 and human rights priorities
• Academic publishing strategies and requirements
• Research design refinement

2) Academic Programme in online and/or hybrid format (August – December 2026)

Delivered via Canvas online platform or in hybrid format, including lectures and interactive seminars on:

• Human rights research methodologies
• Integration of gender and intersectional perspectives
• Human rights pedagogy and education design
• Mainstreaming human rights across non-legal disciplines

On substantive topics, each fellow will receive individual research mentoring and academic supervision, including structured feedback on research design, theoretical framing, and methodology.

3) Research & Residency Period (September – December 2026)

Academy Fellows may choose one of two modalities:

• Up to two-month residency at RWI in Lund, Sweden
• Remote research work from Ukraine with structured online mentorship from the RWI Research and Education Department and affiliated scholars.

All Academy Fellows will receive:

• Access to Lund University library and electronic resources
• Academic supervision and peer exchange
• Online participation in RWI seminars and academic events
• Institutional affiliation and integration into the RWI research environmen

Academy Fellows undertaking a residency in Lund will receive a stipend covering living costs, as well as travel and accommodation expenses.

4) Final Workshop (December 2026)

The Research Academy will conclude with a final workshop dedicated to the presentation of research outcomes, peer-review discussions, and structured dialogue with academic and policy stakeholders. By the end of the programme, Academy Fellows are expected to have prepared a draft journal article, dissertation chapter, or policy-relevant research paper, practical course materials, present their findings and results at the workshop, and submit a dissemination plan outlining concrete pathways for publication and/or policy engagement as well as for incorporation of the developed practical materials into existing course.

Timeline

05 June 2026 – Call opened (extension)

26 July 2026 – Application deadline

End July 2026 – Selection completed

August 2026 – Programme launch workshop

August – December 2026 – Research and residency phase

December 2026 – Final workshop and presentation of results

Eligibility

As an applicant, you should be enrolled as a PhD student (including second doctoral degree seekers) or be a full-time faculty member at a Ukrainian university. You are expected to conduct research relevant to human rights and/or Chapter 23, with preference given to subject areas within the Fundamental Rights section, or to teach courses related to human rights and/or Chapter 23 that are integrated into the official university curriculum.

You should demonstrate academic excellence and strong research potential, as well as have a high level of proficiency in English if your Master’s degree was not conducted in English. Finally, you are expected to commit to participating in all phases of the Research Academy, either remotely or through the two-month residency in Lund.

Application Process

Apply no later than Sunday 26 July via established form. Please note that applications sent by email will not be registered.

For application, please provide the following individual documents in English:

1. Updated CV, including  including:

• Name of the university of current employment or affiliation
• Academic degree and/or title (if any)
• Position held in the university
• A list of publications (if any) and courses taught (if applicable)

2. A research proposal (no more than two pages), outlining:

• Topic
• Objectives
• Methodology
• Relevance to human rights and Ukraine’s EU accession process – i.e. Chapter 23.
• Deliverable and expected impact

3. Cover letter (no more than one page)

Applications will be assessed jointly by the RWI Research and Education Department and the RWI Ukraine Office. Number of fellowships is limited, and the selection will be made on a competitive basis.

The selection process will be conducted by RWI based on the assessment of written applications, in accordance with the eligibility criteria outlined above. Applications will be evaluated in terms of their relevance, completeness and quality of the research proposal.

If necessary, the process may include follow-up clarification and interviews. No specific quotas or allocated places will be assigned to individual universities, and submission of an application does not guarantee selection.

Every application is reviewed with care. Our recruitment team takes the time to assess each candidate thoughtfully and thoroughly.

Once your application is submitted, you will receive system-generated confirmations and updates. These are triggered by our recruitment team to keep you informed throughout the process.

If we decide not to invite you for an interview, we unfortunately won’t be able to provide individual feedback. While we appreciate the effort behind every application, the volume of candidates makes personalised responses impossible.

For any questions about the position, please contact Programme Officer Svitlana Pavlysh, at  [email protected] 

We look forward to receiving your application!

The Raoul Wallenberg Institute promotes diversity and welcomes applications from all qualified persons, regardless of race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, age, disability, or other protected status under the law.

Please note that RWI has pre‑selected relevant advertising and recruitment channels for this call. We therefore kindly but firmly decline contact from media sales representatives, recruitment platforms, or similar service providers.