The selection process consists of an online application, followed by interviews for those selected as finalists. We highly recommend that you discuss your proposed placement/project with a member of the OPIA staff before applying and meet with a member of the OPIA staff for interviewing practice and feedback prior to one’s interview. Ultimately, preparedness for the interview is the responsibility of the applicant. Fellowship recipients will be selected by an HLS committee of faculty and senior administrators outside of OPIA, based on the following criteria: 

• Potential for an outstanding career in public service 

• The extent to which prior experiences have prepared the applicant for the proposed placement 
• Appropriateness of the position as a career launcher (i.e., whether the proposed position would likely lead to more permanent employment, either with the host organization or through networking assisted by the host organization) 
• The extent of prior efforts to secure funding or other postgraduate jobs before applying for the PSVF (documented in the Prior Efforts section of the Organization-Based Fellowship Application). 
• If a student intends to limit their job search geographically for family or personal reasons, that student is required to meet with OPIA staff prior to applying in order to discuss his or her search, intended to put the student in the best possible position to succeed in the application process and to provide guidance to the student on the appropriate scope of the job search given family or personal circumstances. The consultation meeting is mandatory, and failure to schedule it will mean that your application will not be considered for a PSVF Org-Based Fellowship. 
• Because students sometimes have family or personal reasons to limit the geographic scope of their search, the PSVF selection committee will consider – together with all other factors in the student’s application – the breadth and assiduousness of the candidate’s job search prior to applying, and any reasons for limiting the scope of that search. To the extent guidance is provided at the consultation meeting regarding the appropriate scope of the applicant’s job search, the applicant’s efforts to implement that guidance may also be considered by the PSVF committee in making grant determinations. The PSVF is not, however, bound by any guidance provided by OPIA. 

There is no preference for work on a particular issue. Among competing applicants, the PSVF prioritizes projects that address the greatest need and/or possess the greatest potential for impact. In previous years, between 15 and 20 of these fellowships were awarded per application cycle. 

• Applicants must meet with an OPIA advisor to discuss their job search no later than January 15, 2021.
• Online application due: Monday, February 8, 2021 at 5:00pm
• Interviews: April
• Announcement of recipients: mid-May

Potential applicants pursuing positions in states whose final bar deadline is before the early-May PSVF Org-Based Fellowship award date, may apply for the Early Decision Fellowships. The timeline of this fellowship is rolling dependent on the bar deadline, with applications due at least one month prior to the late filing deadline. Applicants should alert Melissa Mitcham of their intent to apply as soon as they decide to apply, so that the selection committee meeting can be scheduled.

Organization-Based Fellowships provide $50,000 in salary support for a full year’s work at a nonprofit organization or government agency. Health care and other benefits must either be provided by the sponsoring organization or covered by the individual. Documented health care coverage is required during the fellowship year. 

Applicants are highly encouraged to apply to all funding sources available to them. If a candidate receives another fellowship for an amount less than what PSVF would provide, and is also a successful PSVF candidate, PSVF may offer partial funding to make up for that discrepancy. 

Funding sources

Funding for the PSVF Org-Based Fellowships comes from many sources, including the following:

The Irving R. Kaufman Fellowship was created in recognition of Judge Kaufman’s distinguished career in public service and are made possible by a generous gift from the late Honorable Walter Annenberg, philanthropist and former Ambassador to the Court of St. James and is intended as an award to graduating Harvard Law School students and recent alumni/ae who demonstrate the potential for outstanding careers in public service.

The Maria, Gabriella and Robert A. Skirnick Public Interest Fellowship was established to promote public service through a generous gift to Harvard Law School from Maria Ann Skirnick, JD ’69, and Robert A. Skirnick, JD ’66, University of Chicago Law School. The Skirnicks are now joined by their daughter, Gabriella Skirnick, JD/MBA ’07. The purpose of the Fellowship is two-fold: to achieve an immediate impact on the lives of the people served by the programs where the Fellows will be working and, with an eye to the future of the legal profession, to develop public interest law leaders and practitioners of tomorrow, whether they continue to work in the nonprofit arena or become pro bono advocates in the private bar. The Skirnick Fellowships are awarded to graduating third-year Harvard Law School students who demonstrate potential to become outstanding public interest lawyers and who will be working in qualifying practice settings according to the terms of the fellowship.

The Edith W. Fine Fellowship was created in recognition of Judge Fine’s ’57 distinguished career in public service and is made possible by memorial gifts from family, friends, and colleagues. The Fellowship awards $1000 annually to a woman in the third year class of Harvard Law School who has demonstrated extraordinary leadership and commitment to pursuing public service work directly upon graduation for any or all of the following causes: protection of women’s reproductive rights; civil or criminal legal assistance to the poor; and eradication of discrimination against women, minorities, or other groups which have historically suffered mistreatment in the United States. Among the jobs not eligible for support are judicial clerkships, academic appointments, and positions in private public interest law firms.

The Seaman-Plancher Fellowship

The Redstone Fellowship in Public Service was established through a generous gift from Sumner M. Redstone ’47. Redstone, a leading media entrepreneur and philanthropist, sought to support recent Harvard Law School graduates who are committed to meaningful public service work and making a difference in the lives of others.

The Dennis ’83, Susan, William ’08, and Thomas ’12 Langer Public Service Fellowship was established by a generous gift from the Langer family. The fellowship is awarded to accomplished Harvard Law School students and supports recipients for one year of post-graduate public service work.