Project-based postgraduate fellowships are funded by a third-party organization and allow fellows to perform project-specific work with a host organization. Project-based fellowships are awarded on the basis of fairly involved project proposals. Students may find host organizations through networking, previous employers, or host organizations may choose the fellows they intend to sponsor through a formal selection process.
Third-party funders typically select fellows that have identified a significant societal need and developed a project that will feasibly meet that need, created a project that is discrete and not duplicative, and partnered with an organization that is capable of accomplishing project goals.
Additionally, selection committees pay close attention to ensure that the applicant’s skills, experiences, and abilities are well suited to carry out his or her proposed project. The most popular national legal project-based fellowships include:
- Equal Justice Works Fellowships
- Justice Catalyst Fellowships
- Skadden Fellowships
- Soros Justice Advocacy Fellowships
Students can explore host organizations and third-party funders through Symplicity and through the Public Service Job Database (PSJD). PSJD also provides a primer on postgraduate fellowships.
Texas Law students and graduates are also eligible to apply for the Texas Law Justice Corps Fellowship and Gallogly Family Foundation Public Interest Law Fellowship. These fellowships operate much like the national project-based fellowships but are awarded either exclusively to Texas Law graduating students and alumni or are limited to three law schools.
Interested applicants should work with the CSO for support in developing project ideas, reviewing materials, and preparing for interviews. If you have questions and are interested in having your fellowship applications and supporting materials reviewed for any postgraduate fellowship, please reach out to Mary Murphy in the CSO at mary.murphy@law.utexas.edu.