LAAC PathwaysFellowship guide02Field guide

Your fellowship. From idea to impact.

Compare four fellowship structures, understand funding and host requirements, and build a preparation plan before you apply.

Plan your fellowship

Choose a structure to explore

Four structures. Find the one that fits.

Interactive planning view

Graduates who want to develop a defined public-interest project with a host

When to beginOften 12-18 months before the fellowship begins

Host relationshipUsually required before submission

Funding structureExternal funder supports a candidate-designed project

The question to answer firstCan you explain the community need and why this host is positioned to respond?

Materials to prepareProject concept, host relationship, community need, resume, references

Compare the structures

Official program rules always control. This comparison helps you ask better questions before choosing a route.

Fellowship type	Often best for	When to begin	Host relationship	What to prepare
Project-based fellowship	Graduates who want to develop a defined public-interest project with a host	Often 12-18 months before the fellowship begins	Usually required before submission	Project concept, host relationship, community need, resume, references
Organization-based fellowship	Applicants joining a program or project already designed by an organization	Varies by program and employer cycle	The organization is generally built into the opportunity	Resume, tailored statement, writing sample, references
Bridge fellowship	Recent graduates working under supervision around bar preparation and results	During the final law-school year or immediately after graduation	May require an eligible legal services organization	Bar timeline, supervision plan, availability, program eligibility
Summer fellowship	Law students gaining paid public-interest experience during school	Frequently during fall or early winter before the summer	May be selected before or during the funding application	Resume, placement plan, funding needs, statement of interest

Clarify your issue interests, relevant experience, timing, and what you hope to learn or change.

Confirm supervision, project capacity, community need, employment terms, and application responsibilities.

Follow the official eligibility, documentation, review, and deadline requirements for that specific fellowship.

Verified starting points

LAAC Pathways organizes the landscape. The official program always provides the final rules and current dates.

Source status checked September 10, 2026