Fellowship Tips

Justice Catalyst Fellowship. Harnessing the interdisciplinary approach of Professor Hanson’s Systemic Justice Lab, target how your innovative solution to a community-informed, access to justice problem can be addressed for the greatest sustainable and scalable impact that shifts power dynamics (economic and political) and fuels a clear Theory of Change. Regional work may be nationally magnified. Watch the latest info webinar. Applicants are highly encouraged to submit a prospectus by September 30, 2025. Final full application is due on December 1, 2025. Sign up for advising with Judy Murciano by making a Fellowship appointment.

The ACLU runs multiple different organization-based fellowships for specific targeted litigation (Brennan First Amendment/National Security, Technology, and Privacy; Karpatkin Racial Justice Fellowship is now 2 yrs, etc.). Familiarity with their ongoing litigation and latest policy advocacy, as well as highlighting your writing and research skills, are key for integrating into their team hiring. Sign up for advising with Judy Murciano by making a Fellowship appointment. 

Please note that some deadlines vary by host country. Check the national deadline for your host country to determine which internal deadline you must meet. Project proposal should be endemic to the host country, detailed in methodology, and positioned as a “novel contribution to the field” driven by “why” and “how” questions for critical analysis. Besides the three letters of recommendation for a Fulbright (preferably 2 of the 3 from HLS Faculty), you will also need a Letter of Affiliation from the host country (faculty from an institute of higher learning/NGO), a language form from someone who has taught the host’s official language, and a Campus Evaluation (this fellowship requires a discussion with Judy Murciano in an advising appointment or during drop-in office hours). Submit your drafts for review well in advance of the internal deadline. 

Independence Foundation Fellows provide free, direct legal services in the Greater Philadelphia area. Only certain organizations are invited to host a single fellow. Consult your host organization about whether they are eligible for the fellowship this year. Sign up for advising with Judy Murciano by making a Fellowship appointment.

Americans United for Separation of Church and State is looking for a two-year (Aug./Sep. 2026–Aug./Sep. 2028) Constitutional Litigation Fellow who is committed to civil rights, impact litigation, and upholding core First Amendment protections. Your work will include defending the rights of women, LGBTQ+ people, and racial and religious minorities against religion-based discrimination and oppression. And you will fight to keep religion out of government—including through challenges to religious activities in public schools, public financing of religious institutions, and government-sponsored religion in the public square.

Jonathan W. Cuneo COSAL/Justice Catalyst Fellowship

The COSAL enforces anti-trust laws to promote class equity by holding large corporations accountable and stemming anti-competitive practices that harm consumers and small businesses. Applicants must contact one of the preferred law firm host(s) before applying. Sign up for advising with Judy Murciano by making a Fellowship appointment.

EJW Fellows seek to meet the unmet legal needs of marginalized communities in a wide range of issue areas highlighted on their website. Project-driven, the EJW application prioritizes: 1) a clearly defined problem of significant magnitude; 2) an ambitious but feasible means to address the problem with an impactful, creative/innovative concrete strategy; 3) a sustainable and scalable solution; 4) a series of opportunities for engaging the sponsoring firm/corporation in the project. EJW proposals can often serve as a template for many additional fellowships throughout the year. Recommendations sent directly to the EJW portal must be received a week before the deadline. Sign up for advising with Judy Murciano by making a Fellowship appointment. Please check the EJW site for relevant info sessions and Guide. 

Skadden Fellows address civil legal services for low-income individuals to foster economic security and provide access to justice for marginalized communities. Whether you are conducting direct legal services or working on impact systemic change, it is critical to identify clients’ legal needs first and address the racial justice lens of your work overall. Host organizations may attach to their sponsorship letter community and/or media support for the targeted issue. Former and current Fellows can also contribute additional supporting letters for your work. Please consult the Skadden Application page for important dates. Sign up early for mock interviews with Judy Murciano by selecting Fellowship Advising when making an appointment. Semi-finalists often design colorful one-page handouts for their interviews.

You are encouraged to apply for the Borchard Fellowship even if you have not worked on Elder Law issues in the past. An Elder Law lens can often be applied to the work you’re doing whether it involves housing, employment, health issues, or criminal law. Past fellows have worked on issues ranging from immigration detention to consumer affairs. For assistance with your application, set up an appointment with Judy Murciano or attend Judy’s drop-in hours.

The Henigson Fellowships require pre-review approval at least a month before they are due. Consult with HRP Associate Director Abadir Ibrahim.

Interviews that persuade and stick reflect five key elements.

HLS may nominate one ICJ Fellow each year who seeks to deepen their understanding of international law and the Court’s processes. Among the 3 letters of recommendation, JDs/LLMs should choose international law faculty who can attest to applicant’s strong academic record and research and writing skills. CV/resume should highlight publications and exposure to complex litigation. Relevant writing sample under 15 pgs. should demonstrate facility with legal analysis and evidence. Some French proficiency expected. Sign up for Fellowship Advising appointment in advance of submission to CARAT.

All applicants must carefully consult the PSVF Org-Based details and MOU to check for eligibility for themselves and the host organization before January 13, 2025. Prior efforts to secure a PSVF host may include non-PSVF eligible organizations, but all jobs and fellowships listed must show an authentic effort to launch a long-term public interest career for which the candidate is realistically qualified. Sign up for a Fellowship Advising appointment in advance of submission to CARAT.

The International Legal Studies Postgraduate Fellowships fund a recent HLS graduate to clerk or intern in an international or foreign/supernational court or tribunal. Applicants should highlight their demonstrated interest in international or transnational law and how this fellowship would be significant for their career trajectory. If an applicant is unsure regarding eligibility of their host, they are encouraged to contact Andre Barbic (abarbic@law.harvard.edu) at ILS. Applicants are also advised to make a Fellowship Advising appointment.

The DAG Fellowship seeks students and clerks with a commitment to community/movement lawyering demonstrated through clinical work and organizing. Project proposals should highlight innovative, impactful, sustainable social justice change and community buy-in. 

Besides acquiring a host letter from a non-profit organization, applicants should choose 2 letters of recommendation: preferably at least one from Harvard clinical faculty. Sign up for a Fellowship Advising appointment in advance of submission to CARAT. 

The CGS Traveling Fellowship looks for strong research skills and focused, purposeful travel anywhere in the world driven by a clear methodology to address significant questions, conducting studies and practice critical to applicant’s career development. It is restricted to J.D.s and S.J.D.s due to graduate in 2025. One application for the 3 fellowships: Knox is only for a UK/Commonwealth country. Kennedy/Sheldon can go to more than one country. Applicants should choose their 2 letters of recommendation from Harvard faculty. This application requires a Fellowship Advising appointment in advance of submission to CARAT.

Emphasize the need for launching an ambitious but feasible non-profit that is scalable and sustainable to meet an unmet need with a Theory of Change.

Environmental litigation focused, this two-year fellowship for HLS puts a lot of weight on the writing sample as evidence of strong research and legal analytical skills. Fellows are expected to indicate their preference for NRDC in NY, CA, DC, or IL and sit for the bar in that state before beginning the fellowship. The cover letter is usually a couple of pages and recommendations are scrutinized. Interviews often discuss the writing sample and complex or special litigation experience. Sign up for advising with Judy Murciano by making a Fellowship appointment.