Human Rights Internship Program

Human Rights Internship Program

Obtaining Financial Aid

While it is clear that human rights internships offer an amazing, rewarding and challenging experience for Flinders’law students, it is also quite clear that the unpaid nature of such internships means that travel and living expenses can prove to be prohibitively costly for most students.

The university is currently seeking funding which will help make human rights internships a reality for some students. Whilst the university may often be in a position to support students undertaking internships, there is also a lot that motivated students can do to seek financial assistance from an outside sponsor or number of sponsors.

The following information is to assist students in obtaining financial aid.

Corporate Sponsorship

In the past students have received funding from private businesses (corporations as well as small businesses in their local community).

It is important to remember that as a student you may have many things to offer a business in return for their financial contribution. For example, a student can offer to write a press release or an article for the local newspaper describing the business or company’s contribution towards their exchange experience.

Furthermore, where appropriate, the student can offer to recommend the company or distribute their brochure during the period of their internship. As a consequence of such sponsorship businesses are able to reach a much wider audience.

The procedure for obtaining corporate sponsorship is usually as follows:

1) Contact as many corporations or local businesses as possible, asking for the name and contact information of the person or department in charge of sponsoring student activities. If they inform you that they do not usually sponsor student activities, ask for the name of the person who would be the best to approach with a possible sponsorship opportunity.

2) Submit a formal letter to the appropriate person outlining the details of your request for funding. Remember to emphasise what you will do for them in return and how they will benefit from sponsoring you. If possible, request a short meeting with them to discuss your proposal in more detail.

3) Discuss your sponsorship request in further detail in person, or receive a written response that approves (or denies) your request for funding.

4) Receive your funding

5) Undertake that which you have agreed to do in return for the company. This could include:

writing to the local paper about the business’ contribution to our exchange prior to your departure.
some form of business/ company promotion during your time overseas.

6) Upon your return home it is important that you provide the company with some form of follow-up report of your internship experience

Local State/Federal Member of Parliament

While contributions from your local State or Federal Member of Parliament are usually quite small, they are nonetheless a step towards making your internship experience a reality.

The best way to seek a financial contribution from a local MP is to write a letter which includes:

Your motivation for undertaking the internship and what you aim to gain
How these gains will benefit the wider community
The total amount you are trying to raise
Your financial situation and why you need financial assistance

State Government

Inquire with the Office for Youth, Government of South Australia about the Youth Development Grants. The contact address is:

Ms Justine Kennedy

Office for Youth

Department of Human Services

GPO Box 1669

ADELAIDE 5001

Other Grants

STA Travel Trust provides “Financial support for travellers committed to making the world a better place”.

Application deadlines are 21 Jan, 21 May and 21 September. Pick up an information form from STA.

AUSAID

Rumour has it that you can contact AUSAID about becoming a sponsored Youth Ambassador if you suggest a proposal to them.

Online Searching for Funding

You can also use the vast resources available on the internet to search for funding. You’ll find many websites dedicated to financial aid and grant searching.
Below are four examples, however remember that there are many more out there. All you need to do is explore the web to find them.

1) COS Funding Opportunities

This is one of the most comprehensive sources of funding information available on the Internet. It allows you to search for funding from Australian based sponsors and also search for sponsorship offered elsewhere but still available to Australian citizens.

2) Postgraduate Scholarships Database for Australia

JASON is a search engine that contains information about postgraduate scholarships. The scholarships in the database apply to Australian students wishing to study or undertake internships at home or abroad.

If you are planning to undertake a human rights internship as part of the Masters of Comparative Law then this is probably one of the most useful sites.

3) The Foundation for Young Australians

“Youth for Youth Investments” is an example of a grant opportunity offered by The Foundation for Young Australians. It is open to organisations that work with young people aged 12 to 25, as well as individuals within this group. Grants are offered for initiatives that enhance youth participation. A human rights internship is certainly an avenue for young leaders to step out of the classroom and actively participate and thus applications to The Foundation for Young Australians should be encouraged.

While this foundation is constantly offering new funding opportunities, applications for the “Youth for Youth Investment” grant described above generally close in mid-March.

Other funding opportunities from the Foundation for Young Australians include the:

On Track Leadership Program

Youth Participation Awards

Opportunity Bank

Details can be viewed at the above mentioned website.

4) Idealist: Action Without Borders

This website has a directory of more than 34,000 non-profit organisations which could potentially be contacted for financial aid.

5) The Australian Federal Government

GrantsLink is a website which allows you to search for funding offered by the Federal Government. The website is somewhat complicated and sometimes confusing but well worth exploring.

However, if you don’t find what you are looking for then assistance is available on (freecall) 1800 026 222 (9am-6pm Mon-Fri AEST).

6) Dick Smith Foods

A large amount of the profits derived from Dick Smith Foods' sales are donated to charities and worthwhile causes around Australia each year.

Since the company started four years ago, Dick Smith Foods we have donated more than $2.5 million to a large number of charitable organisations, individuals and families.

Requests for donations can be sent to:

Dick Smith Foods, PO Box 3440, Tuggerah, NSW 2259

It’s easier than you think!!

There is definitely money out there to help finance academic programs such as the Human Rights Law Internship Program. With a little initiative and a little research you are sure to find an organisation, business or foundation looking to put its money to good use and invest in a future leader or human rights lawyer. Remember that it is in their best interest to do so, which makes seeking financial assistance easier than you think! We wish you the best of luck on your quest for financial aid.