Eligibility & Fellowship Selection Criteria

Each applicant must be a current law student in good standing or a law school graduate who completed their degree no more than three (3) years prior to summer 2025, and must have received confirmation of employment or internship with a public interest organization during summer 2025 that shall last at least eight weeks. Public interest law can be practiced in various settings, including: nonprofit organizations; legal services organizations; district attorneys’/public defenders’ offices; federal, state, and local government (including executive, legislative, and judicial branches); and public service law firms.

The SABA North America Foundation will consider all the materials submitted by the applicant and its sponsoring SABA Chapter, with particular weight given to the applicant’s essay and financial need. Other factors that SABA North America Foundation may consider include:

• Commitment to public service

• Whether the Internship has been secured

• Quality of application materials

• Depth and quality of summer position

• SABA involvement

Application Instructions

Applications are submitted to a participating SABA Chapter directly through the processes established by that respective Chapter. The SABA Chapter will then “sponsor” their selected candidate(s) by submitting their application material(s) and recommendation(s) to the SABA North America Foundation for final decision and selection by the application deadline.

Applicants must submit the following materials to the SABA Chapter:

1. completed application form,

2. essay responses,

3. resume with references, and

4. completed Employer form.

Applicants may also submit the following optional materials: letters of recommendation (limit 2), and/or evidence of financial need.

SABA Chapter’s Role in the Application Process

The Public Interest Fellowship is a joint initiative with participating SABA Chapters, which may recommend up to two (2) candidates for final consideration. Chapters play a vital role in identifying, screening, and ensuring candidates align with the Fellowship’s mission, with the option to set additional local requirements.

Deadlines & Selection

April 25, 2025: Completed Application Materials Must be Submitted to the Participating SABA Chapter

May 9, 2025: Participating Chapter Must Submit Proposed Candidate(s)/Application(s) to SABA North America Foundation for Selection

May 23, 2025, 9 PM Eastern: SABA North America Foundation Announces Fellowship Awardees