There are several sources of funding which may be combined with SPIF funds up to the funding cap that are specific to HLS students. Students must submit a SPIF Application (including the Employer Response Form) in the SFS Portal prior to emailing supplemental funding application materials to us. Each of these fellowships is contingent on the recipient accepting and engaging in the placement they describe in their application materials.
Lani Guinier Summer Fellowship
This summer fellowship honors Professor Lani Guinier’s path-breaking work in and inspiring commitment to social justice and democratic principles and values. Applications from students who will engage in advocacy and policy work at a nonprofit organization advancing social justice and democracy, including civil rights, voting rights, anti-discrimination, and access to education will be considered. Two fellowships of $1,000 will be awarded and preference will be given to 2L students pursuing their second public interest position. Applicants should submit a General Application for Summer Fellowships, resume and cover letter describing relevant work, interests and experiences, information about their proposed summer placement, and any publications or relevant documents about the organization(s) to which they are applying. Please combine all of your submitted materials into one PDF. Applications are due no later than March 24, 2024 by email to SPIF@law.harvard.edu. Recipients will be notified by mid-April.
Justice John Paul Stevens Fellowship
This fellowship honors Justice Stevens’ career long commitment to public interest and social justice values. Skip Paul, a former law clerk to Justice Stevens, founded the fellowship in 1997 at Northwestern University Law School where Justice Stevens earned his law degree. Two fellowships of $5,000 will be awarded to students working in full-time, unpaid SPIF eligible public interest positions at nonprofit or government entities; judicial clerkships are not eligible. Preference will be given to students with demonstrated need and to current 2Ls. Applicants should submit a General Application for Summer Fellowships, resume and cover letter describing relevant work, interests and experiences, information about their proposed summer placement, and any publications or relevant documents about the organization(s) to which they are applying. Please combine all of your submitted materials into one PDF. Applications are due no later than March 24, 2024 by email to SPIF@law.harvard.edu. Recipients will be notified by mid-April.
L. Anthony Sutin Public Service Fellowship
This fellowship was named for L. Anthony Sutin ’84, the late dean of the Appalachian School of Law who was killed by a former ASL student. Sutin was committed to public service throughout his life and this fellowship was established to assist students with similar commitment who plan to work in public service during the summer. Preference will be given to applicants who obtain summer employment in the Appalachian region or in other areas of the United States that typically have been underrepresented in legal services. In 2023 this fellowship was $1,000. Applicants should submit a General Application for Summer Fellowships, resume and cover letter describing relevant work, interests and experiences as well as information about your proposed summer placement and any publications or relevant documents about the organization(s) to which you are applying. Please combine all of your submitted materials into one PDF. Applications are due no later than March 24, 2024 by email to SPIF@law.harvard.edu. Recipients will be notified by mid-April.
James Vorenberg Equal Justice Summer Fellowship
Named after former HLS Dean James Vorenberg, this summer fellowship honors Dean Vorenberg’s commitment to equal access justice for all. Funded by his 1951 classmates, the Vorenberg Equal Justice Summer Fellowship encourages HLS students to pursue summer internships in the fields of civil rights and criminal justice. Applications from students who will be working at either nonprofit organizations or public interest law firms where they will advocate on behalf of traditionally underrepresented, indigent, and otherwise disadvantaged individuals in civil or criminal matters will be considered. Death penalty trial or appellate work on behalf of the accused, as well as work involving voting rights, discrimination, access to justice, prisoners’ rights, and domestic human rights advocacy are examples of the substantive areas of law covered by the Vorenberg Equal Justice Summer Fellowship. In 2023 this fellowship was $1,400. Applicants should submit a General Application for Summer Fellowships, resume and cover letter describing relevant work, interests and experiences as well as information about your proposed summer placement and any publications or relevant documents about the organization(s) to which you are applying. Please combine all of your submitted materials into one PDF. Applications are due no later than March 24, 2024 by email to SPIF@law.harvard.edu. Recipients will be notified by mid-April.
Harvard Club Of New York NAACP Summer Fellowship
Harvard Law School is pleased to announce the Harvard Club of New York NAACP Summer Fellowship for the summer of 2024. The Harvard Club of New York is generously sponsoring a summer fellowship for a 1L or 2L interning at the NAACP Legal Defense Fund located in New York state. The student must secure an internship at the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. The fellowship is for $11,000. The fellowship recipient should expect to attend one or more networking events with members of the Harvard Club of New York during the summer, respond to other similar requests from the funder, and upon completion of the internship, submit a brief final report. Applicants should submit a General Application for Summer Fellowships, resume and cover letter describing relevant work, interests and experiences. Please combine all of your submitted materials into one PDF. Applications are due no later than March 24, 2024 by email to SPIF@law.harvard.edu. Recipients will be notified by mid-April.
Harvard Club Of New York Environmental Law Summer Fellowship
Harvard Law School is pleased to announce the Harvard Club of New York Environmental Law Summer Fellowship for the summer of 2024. The Harvard Club of New York is generously sponsoring a summer fellowship for a 1L or 2L interning at an organization that focuses on environmental law located in New York state. The fellowship is for $11,000. The fellowship recipient should expect to attend one or more networking events with members of the Harvard Club of New York during the summer, respond to other similar requests from the funder, and upon completion of the internship, submit a brief final report. Applicants should submit a General Application for Summer Fellowships, resume and cover letter describing relevant work, interests and experiences. Please combine all of your submitted materials into one PDF. Applications are due no later than March 24, 2024 by email to SPIF@law.harvard.edu. Recipients will be notified by mid-April.
Harvard Club Of New York Poverty Law Summer Fellowship
Harvard Law School is pleased to announce the Harvard Club of New York Poverty Law Summer Fellowship for the summer of 2024. The Harvard Club of New York is generously sponsoring a summer fellowship for a 1L or 2L interning in the field of poverty law located in New York state. The fellowship is for $11,000. The fellowship recipient should expect to attend one or more networking events with members of the Harvard Club of New York during the summer, respond to other similar requests from the funder, and upon completion of the internship, submit a brief final report. Applicants should submit a General Application for Summer Fellowships, resume and cover letter describing relevant work, interests and experiences. Please combine all of your submitted materials into one PDF. Applications are due no later than March 24, 2024 by email to SPIF@law.harvard.edu. Recipients will be notified by mid-April.
Harvard Club Of New York Child Advocacy Summer Fellowship
The Youth Advocacy & Policy Lab (Y-Lab) invites you to apply for the Harvard Club of New York Foundation Child Advocacy Fellowship, given annually to a 1L or 2L interning at a non-profit or government agency located in New York City or New York state. The successful applicant must demonstrate a commitment to social justice/public interest work and must secure an internship (minimum 8 weeks/280 hours) at a non-profit or government agency whose primary focus is advocating for the legal rights of children and youth (child welfare, education, juvenile justice, immigration as it relates to children, etc.). The fellowship award is $11,000.
The fellowship recipient should expect to attend one or more networking events with members of the Harvard Club of New York Foundation during the summer, respond to other similar requests from the funder, and upon completion of the internship, submit a brief final report.
Please see the information about the application process and fellowship requirements on the Y-Lab website. The fellowship application is online only and the deadline to apply is March 24, 2024.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Crisanne Hazen (chazen@law.harvard.edu) if you have any questions or want to discuss whether your internship would be a good fit.
Information about other HLS specific supplemental funding sources, not administered by the SPIF Office, is available on the HLS Fellowships website. In addition, OPIA’s website lists several summer fellowships that are also administered outside of the SPIF Office.