ABF Doctoral/Post-Doctoral Fellowship Program in Law and Social Science

Award Amount
Application deadline
Awarded By:

American Bar Foundation

Number of Awards & Eligibility: The number of awards offered varies annually. In 2015-2016, there were three new fellows selected.
In order to qualify, students must meet the following criteria:
  1. This award is for international and U.S. students.
  2. Must be a Ph.D. candidate. Applicants must have completed all doctoral requirements except the dissertation by Sept. 1. Applicants who will have completed the dissertation prior to Sept. 1 are also welcome to apply.
  3. Must be conducting or plan to conduct research in the general area of sociolegal studies or in social scientific approaches to law, the legal profession, or legal institutions. The research must address significant issues in the field and show promise of a major contribution to social scientific understanding of law and legal process.

In order to qualify, students must meet the following criteria:

Description: This fellowship is open to U.S. and international students who are candidates for Ph.D. degrees in the social sciences. Doctoral and proposed research must be in the general area of sociolegal studies or in social scientific approaches to law, the legal profession, or legal institutions.

Application requirements for the ABF Doctoral/Post-Doctoral Fellowship Program in Law and Social Science are:

  • Application form
  • Recommendation letters (2)
  • Abstract/proposal
  • CV
  • Writing sample (opt.)
Additional Information: The American Bar Foundation is committed to developing the next generation of scholars in the field of law and social science. The purpose of the fellowships is to encourage original and significant research on law, the legal profession, and legal institutions. Minority students are especially encouraged to apply. Fellowships are held in residence at the American Bar Foundation. Appointments to fellowships are full time. Fellows are expected to participate fully in the academic life of the ABF so that they may develop close collegial ties with other scholars in residence. Applicants are also eligible to apply for the American Bar Foundation and Law and Society Association's Law and Social Science Dissertation Fellowship & Mentoring Program.

Award Amount: Fellows receive a stipend of $35,000 for 12 months. The fellowship tenure begins on Sept. 1. Fellows also may request up to $1,500 to reimburse expenses associated with research, travel to meet with advisors, or travel to conferences at which papers are presented. Relocation expenses up to $2,500 may be reimbursed on application.  The total dollars awarded for this scholarship is $35,000.

Deadline Information:

Deadline for this scholarship is Tuesday, September 1, 2020

Deadline Information:

Deadline for this scholarship is Tuesday, September 1, 2020

Applications are available on the American Bar Foundation (ABF) website. Applications must be completed online. Applications must be received no later than the deadline date.
About American Bar Foundation:
Contact Information: Lucinda Underwood, Administrative Associate for Academic Affairs and Research Administration
Address: 750 N. Lake Shore Drive Chicago, Illinois 60611

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