Champion Justice at Columbia – Apply for the 2026 Fully Funded Law Fellowships

Champion Justice at Columbia – Apply for the 2026 Fully Funded Law Fellowships

Fellowship Details

Columbia’s fellowships include the Greene Public Service Fellowship, the Berger Fellowship, the Lowenstein Fellowship, and post-graduate opportunities such as the Sandler/Human Rights Watch Fellowship and the Columbia Law Impact Litigation Fellowship. These fellowships are awarded to highly motivated JD and LL.M. students and recent graduates who have demonstrated a clear and ongoing commitment to public interest work. The Greene Fellowship, for instance, is awarded to five first-year JD students upon admission who show exceptional academic achievement and a passion for public service. Post-graduate fellowships such as the Sandler Fellowship support full-time employment in major human rights organizations for one year following graduation.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must be either prospective or current JD students or recent JD or LL.M. graduates of Columbia Law School. To qualify for the Greene or Berger Fellowships, candidates must submit their application for JD admission no later than February 15, 2025, including an additional personal statement. The Sandler and Impact Litigation Fellowships are available to JD or LL.M. graduates from the Class of 2026 and are ideal for those pursuing long-term careers in human rights or public interest fields. Preference is given to candidates with demonstrable commitment to underserved communities and systems reform.

Fellowship Benefits

The fellowships offer full tuition coverage and living expenses for the entire three-year JD program or one year of post-graduate employment. Fellows receive personalized mentorship, access to Columbia’s legal network, and priority consideration for internships and public service placements. Graduates pursuing low-income public interest careers may also qualify for Columbia’s generous Loan Repayment Assistance Program, which can fully cover law school debt for those earning under $100,000 per year.

How to Apply

To apply for the Greene or Berger Fellowship, prospective JD students must submit a complete Columbia Law School application by February 15, 2025, along with a personal essay of up to 700 words describing their public interest experience and future goals. Selected candidates will be invited to interview with the Dean of Public Interest. Decisions are announced beginning in April. Applications for the Sandler and Impact Litigation Fellowships are submitted separately during the final year of the JD or LL.M. program, typically opening in fall and awarded prior to graduation.