The ISF Public Interest Internship offers funding for law students who independently secure a public interest legal internship (at a nonprofit or government/public interest organization).
A Pipeline Program
The ISF Public Interest Internship Scholarship is committed to preparing law students for careers in public interest law and advocacy. Whether interning in a summer, fall, or spring term, interns will gain real-world experience supporting legal work for underserved communities and organizations.
Goal
The ISF Public Interest Internship Scholarship aims to expose American Muslim students to the privileges and responsibilities of public interest legal work. The program helps law students build skills they can use to advance justice and civil rights for marginalized communities across the United States.
The Process
Students who have received an offer for a public interest legal internship at a nonprofit, government agency, or legal services organization are eligible to apply. ISF will provide recipients with a $3,000 stipend to support their work and living expenses during the internship term.
Eligibility
- Active member of the Muslim community
- Enrolled as a first-year or second-year law student at an accredited law school in the U.S.
- Have secured an offer for a public interest internship from a nonprofit or government/public interest organization or an ISF Law Scholarship recipient who is applying for a judicial internship through Just the Beginning
- A U.S. citizen, permanent resident of the United States or a DACA recipient.
- Preference may be given to those not receiving funding for the judicial internship from another source
Requirements
- 60-second video introduction outlining your interest in public interest law and the internship.
- Resume
- Letter of recommendation
- Short essay questions
Internship Benefits
- Stipend of $3,000
- Professional leadership and law enrichment workshops throughout and after the program
- Networking opportunities
- Mentorship opportunities
Program Timeline
Application
ISF will start accepting online applications for the ISF Judicial Internship Scholarship at the beginning of January of each year.
Deadline
The deadline to apply is in March each year.
Application Review
The Selection Committee will review applications from March-April
Scholarship Awarded
Final decisions will be made in May and scholarships will be awarded shortly after.
Internship Begins
Exact internship dates will be negotiated between candidates and the judge who will host them. Since the internship can happen in Spring, Summer, or Fall, the start date will likely be at the beginning of each of those respective semesters.
ISF Alum Network & Resources
Interns will join ISF's law alum community and have access to ISF's career development resources
Exit Interview
Interns will end the program with an exit interview. Upon completion, participants can join the ISF alumni network and continue to receive mentorship and support.