Law School & Legal Studies Scholarships

Graduating J.D. or LL.M. students and law graduates up to two years out may apply with a host employer for a one-year project-based fellowship, renewable for a second year. Hosts may be 501(c)(3) nonprofits, plaintiff-side or public interest firms, unions, or tribal, local, state, or federal government agencies. Justice Catalyst provides $75,000 in salary support to the host organization each fellowship year, with health insurance and fringe benefits paid by the host. Fellows design litigation-focused projects aimed at structural, high-volume change. Applications follow a two-part process (optional prospectus, then required application). The 2026-2027 cycle closed; the site directs applicants to return in summer 2026 for the next cycle, with interviews in January and February and awards by early March. Justice Catalyst Partnerships is a 501(c)(3) that funds early-career public interest lawyers pursuing innovative impact litigation.

Public interest lawyers from the United States who are committed to advancing women's rights throughout their careers may apply for the Women's Law and Public Policy Fellowship Program (WLPPFP) at Georgetown University Law Center. Students of all genders may apply, and there is no cap on how long an applicant has been out of school. Fellows complete a one-year placement with a Washington, D.C. organization working on legal and policy issues affecting women, and receive a $60,000 stipend plus placement-organization benefits. Fellows also join educational programming, professional development trainings, and seminars on current women's legal issues, and may audit related Georgetown Law courses. Apply through the program when applications open. Over 270 Fellows have participated, working at more than 50 organizations on issues such as domestic violence, employment discrimination, immigration, health care, poverty, disability rights, and international women's human rights.

Recent law graduates and new lawyers nationwide may submit a proposal for a one-year public interest legal project serving disadvantaged or underrepresented communities. BLF traditionally awards one to two grants per year for full-time work; projects may be located anywhere in the United States. The full-time grant has been approximately $50,000 for the last three years, though the exact amount depends on available funds. Grantees generally begin work in fall after selection in early May. Complete proposals with budget, host support letter, and two recommendations are emailed to blfgrants@gmail.com; the 2026-2027 cycle deadline was January 16, 2026. Finalists interview in April. The Berkeley Law Foundation has funded public interest projects since 1976 and is run by Berkeley Law alumni and students.

Full three-year tuition scholarship to the University of Baltimore School of Law for Fannie Angelos Program scholars who complete the preparatory program, maintain a 3.5 undergraduate GPA, score at least 153 on the LSAT, and meet standard law school admission requirements. The program prepares Maryland HBCU juniors, seniors, and alumni for law school through LSAT preparation, mentoring, and career counseling. Scholars who fall slightly below the top benchmarks may still receive partial law school scholarship support. Contact the Fannie Angelos Program for application and interview requirements.

Ph.D. candidates at Northwestern University in the social sciences or related fields whose dissertation research addresses sociolegal studies, law, legal institutions, the legal profession, or social justice may apply. Fellows receive a $35,000 annual stipend for up to two academic years, plus a modest research account and Northwestern benefits. Contact fellowships@abfn.org for application timing and questions.

First-year ABA-accredited law students with a STEM background, interest in intellectual property law, and demonstrated diversity-and-inclusion leadership may apply for Fish & Richardson's 1L Emerging Leaders Fellowship. Fellows receive a paid summer associate placement, mentoring through the academic year, and scholarship payments totaling up to $30,000 ($5,000 after the 1L summer, $10,000 for returning as a 2L summer associate, and $15,000 upon joining as an associate). Applications typically run in the fall through the firm's careers channels.

Academic scholarship for University of Baltimore School of Law students inducted into the Royal Shannonhouse Honor Society after strong first-year performance. Full-time day students are reviewed after two semesters; part-time day and evening students after three semesters. Inductees with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.15 may receive scholarships up to $30,000, with Distinguished Scholar recognition at 3.7 or higher. Membership includes scholarship support and continued enrollment at UBalt Law is required for induction.

Female-identifying U.S. citizens or permanent residents in their second or third year at an ABA-accredited law school with a minimum 3.5 GPA who plan careers as plaintiff trial lawyers may apply. One $25,000 scholarship and up to two additional $10,000 scholarships are awarded annually to students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and commitment to client-centered advocacy. Apply through Scholarship America with a required essay on client service in trial law. The scholarship reflects Milestone's commitment to empowering women leaders in plaintiff litigation.

The Appalachian School of Law Scholars fund provides institutional awards of up to one-half of annual tuition for JD students at ASL. The Dean selects recipients based on entering credentials for first-year students or on performance at ASL for upper-level students. Awards cover one academic year and may be renewed depending on academic performance. For 2025-2026, full-time JD tuition is $41,000 per year, so the maximum scholarship is $20,500. Institutional admission scholarships are not stackable unless expressly designated as supplemental.

Buchanan County Scholarship funds at Appalachian School of Law provide partial awards of up to one-half of annual tuition for eligible JD students. The Buchanan County Board of Supervisors grants awards based on demonstrated financial need, entering credentials or performance at ASL, and place of permanent residence in Buchanan County, Virginia. ASL's scholarship page also lists partial awards for students who resided in Buchanan County for five or more consecutive years before applying or who graduated from a Buchanan County high school, with proof of residency required. Awards cover one academic year and may be renewed with satisfactory academic performance.