YLS provides over $1 million in summer fellowships annually to support the summer public interest work of approximately 190 students.
The Summer Public Interest Fellowship Program (SPIF) offers support to all Yale students who need funding to work at government and nonprofit organizations. The law school provides fellowships of up to $8,000 (pro-rated at $666.66 per week for up to 12 weeks). Students who receive outside funding from grants, stipends from their public interest employer, additional jobs, etc., should consult with the Financial Aid Office to determine if the additional income will impact SPIF eligibility. In most cases, part-time work will not impact a SPIF award.
The Schell Center for International Human Rights provides many summer travel fellowships to support summer work abroad in international human rights.
YLS Non-SPIF Funding
Mary A. McCarthy Fellowships in Public Interest Law
Eligibility: Work with public interest offices, including nonprofits and government. Preference for US organizations providing direct services, especially in mediation and the rights of immigrants, prisoners, criminal defendants, and women, but the committee will consider all generally applicable applications.
Stipend: Up to $666 a week for a maximum of 12 weeks ($8,000).
Other Non-SPIF Funding Opportunities
Squire Patton Boggs Policy Fellowship
Eligibility: Work with nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and domestic or international organizations working on public policy.
Stipend: $5,000 for 8 weeks full-time work. May be combined with other sources of funding up to a total of $8,000.
Equal Justice America Summer Legal Services Fellowship
Eligibility: Work with US nonprofit organizations providing direct legal services. No defender or government offices.
Stipend: Up to $5,000 for 10 weeks full-time work. May be combined with other sources of funding up to a total of $12,000.
John Paul Stevens Public Interest Fellowship
Eligibility: Work with public interest organizations, including government agencies, legal services, advocacy groups, and policy reform organizations.
Stipend: $8,000 for 8 weeks full-time work.
Federal Communications Bar Association Summer Stipend
Eligibility: Work with federal, state, or local government offices in the areas of telecommunication, media, and technology law.
Stipend: Up to $7,000.
Massachusetts Bar Foundation Legal Internship Fellowship
Eligibility: Work with legal aid organizations providing civil legal services to low-income clients in Massachusetts.
Stipend: $8,000 for 10 weeks.
Fran Kendall Summer Fellowship of the Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles
Eligibility: Work with an organization or individually to develop and implement a project with a tangible outcome in public interest law.
Stipend: Up to $6,000.
ABA John Curtin Justice Fund Summer Legal Internship
Eligibility: Work with a legal services program or bar association to prevent homelessness or assist homeless or indigent clients or their advocates.
Stipend: $3,500 for 8 weeks.
Georgia Bar Association Public Interest Internship
Eligibility: Work with a nonprofit organization or government agency in Georgia.
Stipend: $5,000 for 10 weeks.
More Opportunities
PSJD (The Public Service Jobs Directory) offers summer funding resources, pro bono opportunities and more.
YLS Financial Aid Office offers summer funding opportunities and a variety of outside scholarship opportunities.