Summer Fellowships
For the Texas Law Summer Public Service Program and the American College of Environmental Lawyers (ACOEL) Honors Intern Program, before applying, applicants will identify a potential host organization to sponsor their fellowship and will collaborate with the organization to develop a description of the proposed work.
Texas Law Summer Public Service Program (SPSP)
Supports students working in unpaid or low-paying summer positions with nonprofit, government, or legislative offices. Students must work at least 120 hours (5 week minimum) and are paid $800/week. The application period is mid-January to mid-April.
https://law.utexas.edu/publicinterest/summer-public-service-program/
In addition to the generic summer fellowships, the SPSP serves as an umbrella for summer fellowships created through grants and gifts from generous donors. Several longstanding named summer fellowships are now awarded through the SPSP, including:
Charles and Roberta Katz Environmental Summer Fellowships: For work with an environmental nonprofit organization or governmental agency.
https://law.utexas.edu/publicinterest/scholarships/charles-and-roberta-katz-environmental-summer-fellowships/
Stuart Henry Environmental Law Summer Fellowship: For work with a nonprofit legal organization focused on preserving Texas’ natural resources and protecting the Texans who rely on them.
https://law.utexas.edu/publicinterest/scholarships/stuart-henry-environmental-law-summer-fellowship/
American College of Environmental Lawyers (ACOEL) Honors Intern Program
Awards fellowships of $10,000 each to four second year law students who are committed to pursuing a career in environmental law and are applying for a summer internship with an eligible environmental non-profit organization or government agency. Applications are due October 31st.
https://law.utexas.edu/financial-aid/scholarships/acoel-honors-intern-scholarship-program/
Application form: https://forms.gle/7NrLDHSPmNN22ZTZz5
Professor Corwin W. Johnson Memorial Summer Internships
The State Bar of Texas Environmental & Natural Resources Law Section awards a $6,000 stipend for students working a six-week term at one of the following governmental agencies:
- Texas Commission on Environmental Quality – Austin
- Texas Railroad Commission – Austin
- City of Dallas (Office of Environmental Quality and Sustainability)
- Texas Parks and Wildlife Department – Austin
- Harris County District Attorney’s Office (Environmental Crimes Division – Austin
- Texas Water Development Board – Austin
- Office of the Attorney General (Environmental Protection Division) – Austin
- Lower Colorado River Authority – Austin
https://www.texenrls.org/students/professor-corwin-w-johnson-memorial-internship/
Glynn D. Key 1L Summer Fellowship
This fellowship at the Southern Environmental Law Center is offered to first-year law students, particularly students with a strong interest in or a demonstrated commitment to advancing environmental justice.
https://www.selc.org/about-us/careers/glynn-d-key-fellowship-program/
Post-Graduate Fellowships
Project-Based Post Graduate Fellowships
For the project-based fellowships, applicants develop a specific project in conjunction with a host organization willing to sponsor their fellowship and then apply for the fellowship.
Texas Law Justice Corps Post Graduate Fellowships
The law school created the Justice Corps to support its graduates who are committed to working for the public good and to encourage more graduates to begin their careers with a period of public service. A number of the fellowships can fund environmental work at a nonprofit or governmental entity, including
- Environmental Justice Fellowship: 2-year fellowship for students working with an environmental noprofit
- G. Rollie White Trust Fellowship in Public Interest Law: 1-year fellowship for work at a nonprofit organization on behalf of underrepresented individuals or groups
- Texas Law Postgraduate Public Interest Fellowship: 1-year fellowship for work with public interest legal organizations and certain international organizations
The fellowships pay up to $75,000 per year and the sponsoring organization is expected to cover benefits. Applications for the first two fellowships are due on January 29, 2027. Applications for the Texas Law Postgraduate Public Interest Fellowship are due on April 1, 2027. https://law.utexas.edu/publicinterest/type/post-graduate-fellowships/
Equal Justice Works – 2-year fellowship for work with an organization of your choice to propose an innovative legal project that addresses an issue and community you care most passionately about serving. Fellowship paus up to $65,000, in salary support to the host organization each year (salary no less than that of similarly experienced lawyer at the organization), and covers health insurance, fringe benefits, and up to $5,000 in loan repayment assistance. Applications are due in mid-September.
https://equaljusticeworks.org/opportunities/design-your-own-fellowship/
Justice Catalyst – 1-year, potentially renewable, project-based fellowships for graduating law students, or graduates up to two years out of law school. The fellowship supports innovative social impact work at nonprofit organizations as well as unions, plaintiff-side/public interest law firms, and government agencies. Optional prospectus submissions are due by September 30. Applications are due by December 1.
https://justicecatalyst.org/fellowships
Organization-Based Post Graduate Fellowships
Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger Fellowship – 3-year fellowship at a San Francisco law firm focused on environmental and land use law. Applications are due September 1.
https://smwlaw.com/apply-for-fellowship
Glynn D. Key Associate Attorney Fellowship – entry-level position open to recent law graduates, attorneys completing clerkships, and practicing attorneys with a a strong interest in or a demonstrated commitment to advancing environmental justice. The number of openings varies each year. Fellowships can typically be based at any Southern Environmental Law Center office.
https://selc.org/about-us-careers/glynn-d-key-fellowship-program/