Columbia Law School Fellowships 2026 | Fully Funded Public Interest & Global Justice Fellowships
Are you a J.D. or LL.M. candidate from the Class of 2026 interested in advancing social justice and international law? Columbia Law School offers several fully funded fellowships, including the Columbia Justice Fellowship, David W. Leebron Human Rights Fellowship, Global Public Service Fellowship, and the J.D. Pathways Fellowship, which enable graduates to launch impactful careers in public interest, litigation, and human rights.
About the Fellowships
- Columbia Justice Fellowship (2 years) places up to three Class of 2026 J.D. graduates in leading impact litigation organizations such as the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Natural Resources Defense Council, and NYCLU, entirely funded by Columbia.
- David W. Leebron Human Rights Fellowship (1 year) supports J.D. and LL.M. graduates pursuing human rights work in the U.S. or internationally.
- Global Public Service Fellowship (1 year) funds work with public service agencies or international courts/addressing global legal challenges, with preference given to placements in Pan-Asia.
- J.D. Pathways Fellowship (1 year) supports recent graduates working in public interest, government, or human rights sectors.
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What the Fellowships Cover
- Full stipend and living allowance for 1–2 years
- Professional placement in top-tier nonprofits, NGOs, or courts
- Access to network-building events, legal mentorship, and career support
- Protection from educational debt via LRAP-eligible funding (Public Interest LRAP Fellowships available separately)
Who Can Apply?
- Columbia Law School J.D. or LL.M. graduates from the Class of 2026, and select recent alumni
- Demonstrated commitment to public interest, litigation, law reform, or human rights
- Strong academic record, legal writing, advocacy experience, and leadership
- Eligibility for each specific fellowship is determined by degree type and career focus
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Application Process & Timeline
- Columbia Justice Fellowship deadline: October 15, 2025
- Leebron Human Rights Fellowship deadline: February 22, 2026
- J.D. Pathways Fellowship deadline: May 3, 2026
- Global Public Service Fellowship deadline: February 1, 2026
Applications are submitted through Columbia’s Public Interest/Public Service Law & Careers Office — with fellowship-specific essays and host organization proposals where required
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How to Apply
Submit your application via Columbia Law School’s official postgraduate fellowship portal during the open call period:
👉 https://www.law.columbia.edu/careers/public-interest/postgraduate-fellowships
Conclusion
Columbia Law School’s distinguished fellowships offer an extraordinary platform for graduating law students to work on high-impact cases, environmental justice, human rights advocacy, and public service—fully funded and career-launching.
Tip
Align your essays with each fellowship’s specific mission—demonstrate concrete public service commitment, name desired host organizations, and show how you’ll leverage the opportunity to create long-term impact.
Advance your public interest law career through Columbia’s fully funded fellowship pathways.
