The night shattered.
A scream, raw, animalistic, a sound of pure terror, ripped through the graveyard. Ethan wasn’t sure if it had come from his own throat or from the abyss that had opened beneath them.
The corpses did not just rise.
They tore themselves from the earth with unnatural hunger, the sickening squelch of wet flesh peeling from decay-slicked bone filling the air like a chorus of the damned.
Ethan staggered back, his pulse hammering against his ribs, his breath tearing from his lungs in
ragged bursts. The scent of blood and rot was suffocating, thick as oil, coating the back of his throat.
Lillian, God help her,Lillian was still smiling.
Her lips were parted, her chest rising and falling in slow, steady breaths, as if she were reveling in
the chaos rather than fearing it.
A corpse lurched forward.
Its jaw hung open, blackened teeth slick with something dark and viscous. Its fingers twitched at its sides, nails peeling from the nail beds as it reached for him.
Ethan snapped back to life.
He turned to run, but a cold, iron grip seized his wrist.
He gasped, whipping around.
Lillian.
Her fingers,warm, trembling, gripping him with a desperation that did not match the eerie calm of her face.
“Stay.”
Her voice was soft, coaxing, but there was an edge to it now, something deeper, something almost pleading.
Ethan yanked his arm free.
“No, Lillian,”
But then she moved.
Quicker than he had expected. Quicker than should have been possible.
One moment she was gripping his wrist,the next, she was against him.
Pressed close, her breath hot against his ear, her body warm despite the cold night.
“I need you to trust me.”
Her lips brushed his jaw as she spoke, a whisper of heat against his frozen skin. His breath hitched, his body reacting before his mind could catch up.
But behind her,death moved.
A corpse lunged from the darkness.
Its fingers raked across Ethan’s shoulder, tearing fabric, slicing skin. Pain exploded through him,sharp, wet, burning.
He cried out, the sound ripped from his throat.
Blood,hot and fresh , spilled down his arm.
Lillian inhaled sharply.
And something changed.
Her body tensed against him. Her breath shuddered. Her fingers,which had been gripping his collar,tightened, almost clawing at the fabric.
“Lillian,”
Her lips brushed his neck.
Ethan’s body locked up.
He felt it,the faintest press of her mouth against his pulse.
A kiss.
Or something hungrier.
His blood,his warmth, was leaking between them, soaking into her skin, staining the front of her dress.
She let out a slow, shuddering breath.
“Ethan,” she whispered. Her voice was unsteady now, shaken, trembling,yet filled with something else.
Desire.
Hunger.
Something darker.
A corpse screamed.
A shrill, mindless wail that split the night, a sound like rusted metal dragged against bone.
Ethan’s instincts roared to life.
He shoved Lillian back.
The moment between them,the intimacy, the seduction, the fragile terror,shattered like glass.
She stumbled, catching herself before she could fall. Her eyes were wild, blazing with something
Ethan didn’t recognize.
Blood was smeared across her lips.
His blood.
Ethan’s breath came in sharp, broken bursts.
What the hell was happening?
The corpses,once slow, once hesitant,moved as one.
Surging forward.
Their mouths opened wide, their throats pulsing, as if scenting the air.
Scenting him.
Lillian’s voice came again,but this time, it was a scream.
“RUN!”
And Ethan, bleeding, breathless, terrified, ran.
How to Apply for the 2025 UT Austin Human Rights & Comparative Constitutional Law Scholarship Programs
The University of Texas at Austin’s School of Law offers compelling scholarships and cohorts for students interested in human rights, comparative constitutional law, and global justice. These opportunities are administered mainly through the Bernard & Audre Rapoport Center for Human Rights and Justice. As of 2025-26, several programs are open or have deadlines coming up that you can apply for. This guide will walk you through what they are, who is eligible, step-by-step how to apply, what they cover, and tips to make your application strong.
About UT Law and the Rapoport Center
The Rapoport Center for Human Rights and Justice is a hub for research, advocacy, teaching, and public engagement at UT Austin. It focuses on themes like social justice, reproductive justice, global inequality, human rights documentation, and interdisciplinary human rights work. The Law School also offers a concentration in Human Rights & Comparative Constitutional Law for J.D. and LL.M. students, allowing students to combine theoretical, clinical, and comparative work. ([UT Austin – Concentration page](https://law.utexas.edu/master-of-laws/degree-requirements/human-rights-comparative-constitutional-law/)) 0
Scholarship / Cohort Options for 2025-26
Here are key scholarship/cohort opportunities open for the 2025-26 cycle through UT Austin’s Rapoport Center:
- Human Rights Scholars Program: Offers $6,000 scholarship, roles supporting Rapoport Center’s programming, research and advocacy. 1
- Sissy Farenthold Scholar in Reproductive Justice: A designated role under the Human Rights Scholars Program focused on reproductive justice themes. 2
- Human Rights & Global Justice Scholarship and Cohort: One-time scholarship (~US$1,250) plus cohort membership and mentorship. Open to incoming Texas Law students including LL.M. candidates. 3
- LL.M Scholarship Opportunities: Scholarships for LL.M. students including nonresident tuition exemptions, internal UT Law LL.M. scholarship funds. Some are connected with human rights interests. 4
- Summer Fellowships & Internships: For work during summers with human rights NGOs or for Rapoport Center projects; funding varies. 5
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for many of these UT Austin human rights scholarship/cohort programs, applicants should meet some or all of the following:
- Be enrolled or admitted to UT Austin School of Law (J.D. or LL.M.) for the 2025-26 academic year. 6
- Have a demonstrated interest in human rights / social justice or comparative constitutional issues—through coursework, clinic work, volunteer work, research, or related experience. 7
- Be rising 2Ls or 3Ls for law students (for some scholarship roles). LL.M. students are also eligible in many cases. 8
- Commitment of a certain number of hours/week to Rapoport Center work (e.g. 10-12 hours/week for some scholars) or participation in cohort events. 9
- For LL.M concentration: meet the course credit requirements of the Human Rights & Comparative Constitutional Law concentration (specific courses, seminars, clinics) under UT Law. 10
What the Scholarship / Cohort Covers
Depending on the specific program, awarded benefits typically include:
- A cash scholarship award (e.g. $6,000 for the Human Rights Scholars) for fall & spring semesters. 11
- Participation roles: supporting research, editing, organizing workshops, helping with events, coordinating working paper series. These roles give both financial support and experience. 12
- Mentorship, networking opportunities with faculty, alumni, practitioners, and access to Rapoport Center programming. 13
- For LL.M students in concentration: specialized coursework, clinics, seminars in comparative constitutional law and human rights. 14
- One-time scholarship (smaller amount) for the cohort, plus regular cohort meetings/lunches/monthly events, depending on program. 15
Important 2025 Deadlines & Timeline
Keep these dates in mind so you don’t miss out:
- Human Rights Scholars Program & Sissy Farenthold Scholar: application deadline has been extended to midnight, Monday, July 21, 2025. 16
- Human Rights & Global Justice Cohort: applications are due by August 8, 2025. 17
- Incoming LL.M. scholarship listings via Texas Law Scholarship Opportunities vary but some internal deadlines align with year’s admission / spring/fall schedule. Check LL.M. Opportunities page. 18
- For summer fellowship programs: often closed for Summer 2025, but new rounds will open (apply early). 19
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Apply
- Choose which program(s) you want to apply for — decide between the Human Rights Scholars Program, the Cohort, or LL.M concentration opportunities. It’s possible to apply for more than one if eligible.
- Check UT Law degree / concentration requirements — especially for LL.M or J.D. Human Rights & Comparative Constitutional Law concentration (credit hours, required courses, clinics) under UT Law. 20
- Gather your documentation — you’ll need a current resume/CV; transcript(s); academic writing samples; personal statement showing commitment to human rights; reference letters (faculty or professional); any prior work or volunteer proof.
- Write strong essays / personal statement — highlight concrete experience (clinic, advocation, research), why human rights & constitutional law matter to you, your goals, how you will contribute to the Rapoport Center’s mission/priorities.
- Submit via the UT Law Human Rights portal / Scholarship page — locate “Opportunities” or “Human Rights Scholars Program” page, fill online application forms before deadlines. 21
- Ensure references submit on time — for cohort and some scholarships, separate reference forms might be required. Ask referees early. 22
- Follow up and prepare for possible interview or tasks — some programs may request additional info or interviews; be ready with clarifications about your past work and proposed future in human rights.
Common Mistakes & Myths
- Mistake: Waiting till the last day to apply — UT Law and Rapoport Center deadlines are strict. Late applications often not considered. See July 21 and August 8 deadlines. 23
- Mistake: A generic human rights statement — essays that don’t show specificity (theme, program, center) tend to underperform.
- Myth: You need prior international human rights fieldwork — many cohort/scholarship programs accept students with domestic experience and theoretical work. 24
- Myth: Small awards are insignificant — cohort awards, even one-time smaller funds, can open paths (mentorship, clinic placements, networking) that lead to larger opportunities.
Tips to Strengthen Your Application
Here are practical ways to make your application stand out:
- Start early: Begin drafting your statement and contacting references weeks ahead of the deadline.
- Show alignment: Demonstrate alignment with Rapoport Center priority themes (reproductive justice, global inequality, peace, environmental justice) if your work or interests match. 25
- Highlight leadership or initiative: Projects you started, academic papers, volunteer roles.
- Use clinic / research experiences: If you’ve participated in a UT Law clinic or similar work, mention specifics (cases, writing, impact).
- Proofread thoroughly: Spelling, grammar, format, ensuring citations or references are correct.
- Seek feedback: From faculty or peers familiar with human rights law or scholarship applications.
How the Human Rights & Comparative Constitutional Law Concentration Helps
For J.D. or LL.M students, opting into the concentration gives you curriculum structured to support your scholarship application:
- Required and elective courses in International Human Rights, Comparative Constitutional Law, Clinics, and directed research. 26
- Access to journals, student organizations, pro bono work with human rights or civil rights NGOs. 27
- Faculty mentorship through Rapoport Center. Regular events, speaker series, workshops. Networking matters.
FAQs
Q: Can LL.M students and foreign degree holders apply?
Yes. Many of these programs explicitly include LL.M. students and foreign-law degree holders, particularly in the Human Rights & Comparative Constitutional Law concentration. 28
Q: What type of commitment is required?
For scholarship roles (e.g. Human Rights Scholars), recipients may commit about 10-12 hours/week during fall & spring. Cohort members attend monthly lunches or meetings, plus participate in Center events. 29
Q: Are there separate applications for each program?
Yes. The Human Rights Scholars, the Global Justice Cohort, LL.M. scholar opportunities, and cohort membership require separate application forms, each with supporting materials. Be sure to check the “Opportunities” page of the Rapoport Center for the correct form. 30
Q: Is work experience mandatory?
No, though having relevant experience (volunteer, clinic, research) makes your application stronger. Some programs are open to students early in their law school careers. 31
Action Plan: What You Should Do Now
- Visit the Rapoport Center Human Rights Scholars page and the Human Rights & Global Justice Cohort page to view full calls. 32
- Create a checklist: deadlines, references, supporting documents.
- Draft your human rights mission statement: why you care, what you have done, what you plan to do.
- Reach out to your referees early with your statement and CV so they can prepare strong letters.
- Tailor your application to the program’s themes (reproductive justice, environmental justice etc.).
- Submit your application well before the deadline; double-check completeness (transcripts, essays, references).