UC Davis School of Law Summer Funding
Important Update:
Any payment provided to a student during a period when they are not enrolled, will be treated as Other Financial Assistance (OFA), and will be a part of that student’s financial aid package for the upcoming period of enrollment. Therefore, if a student is not enrolled during the summer but receives an award because they participate in an education related program, that award will be treated as a part of that student’s financial aid package for the upcoming period of enrollment. The payment will still be disbursed on the requested date. By receiving summer funding, the student agrees to remain enrolled at UC Davis School of Law for the proceeding academic year. If a student elects to transfer or withdraw after receiving summer funding, they must pay back the funds received immediately.
First and Second year students engaging in public service summer work can be funded through the programs below. Students can apply for each of the following summer funding opportunities by submitting a single application. Students should apply for all opportunities they are eligible to receive, but those selected to receive funding will either receive a Public Service Summer Grant, John Paul Stevens Fellowship, or Genes Fellowship, based on edibility and strength of application. Those awards cannot be combined. Members of KHLF can receive both a KHLF Fellowship and one of the other funding grants.
- Public Service Summer Grant
- UC Davis School of Law will award a limited amount of funding to currently enrolled first and second year students.
- Grants will fund legal work at nonprofit organizations; legal services organizations; district attorneys'/public defenders' offices; and federal, state, and local government (including executive, legislative, and judicial branches).
- Internships must be unpaid, full-time, and at least 8 weeks (preferably 10 weeks) to be eligible for a full funding award. Partial awards may be available for paid, part-time, or internships less than 8 weeks in length depending on funding and the number of applicants in a given year.
- Summer fellowships are awarded until fellowship funds are exhausted and funding in a given year is not guaranteed.
- The John Paul Stevens Public Interest Fellowships
- In partnership with the John Paul Stevens Public Interest Fellowship Foundation, King Hall will award six (6) John Paul Stevens Public Interest Fellowships to students who demonstrate commitment to public service and potential for excellence throughout their legal careers.
- To be eligible, summer position must be full-time, unpaid, and at least 8 weeks (preferably 10) with a government entity or nonprofit organization whose work aligns with the legacy and jurisprudence of Justice Stevens. Judicial placements are not eligible.
- JPS fellowships are selected based on strength of application and commitment to pursing public service/interest legal careers. The selection committee will award the top six applications that meet the eligibility requirements.
- The King Hall Legal Foundation (KHLF) Fellowships
- KHLF is an independent, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization operated and managed by King Hall students. KHLF will award summer public service fellowships to first and second year students who are KHLF members.
- Fellowships will fund public service legal work that serves underprivileged and underrepresented populations. KHLF does not provide fellowships for judicial or prosecutorial work.
- You must be an active member of KHLF and complete your volunteer requirements to be eligible for funding.
- Those receiving KHLF awards are also eligible to receive one of the other awards. Review the award determination section to learn more.
- Genes Family Watershed Fellowship
- Through the generous donation by the Genes Family, students working on water resource issues - such as watersheds, water law, river protection - can be eligible for a $6,000 stipend. Genes Family Watershed Fellowships are available in two ways:
- UC Davis School of Law has partnered with the following organizations to fund one summer intern each. Students interested in working for these organizations apply to the employer through a resume collection on 12twenty. The employer will review applications, send out interview notices, and make an offer to one student. If that student accepts, they will receive a Genes Family Fellowship (no need to fill out a separate funding application for this fellowship).
- California Coastkeeper Alliance - closed February 13
- Environmental Advocates - closed February 13
- California Trout (Caltrout) - closed February 13
- American Rivers - closed January 30
- UC Davis Center for Watershed Sciences - closed January 26
- Those student at other organizations over the summer who will also be working on water law issues, may apply for any additional Genes Family Fellowships (availability and number will vary each year). To be considered for any available Genes Family Watershed Fellowship, you must meet the Public Service Summer Grant eligibility (full time positions only) and be working on water issues this summer. To apply, use the funding application process described below.
- UC Davis School of Law has partnered with the following organizations to fund one summer intern each. Students interested in working for these organizations apply to the employer through a resume collection on 12twenty. The employer will review applications, send out interview notices, and make an offer to one student. If that student accepts, they will receive a Genes Family Fellowship (no need to fill out a separate funding application for this fellowship).
- Through the generous donation by the Genes Family, students working on water resource issues - such as watersheds, water law, river protection - can be eligible for a $6,000 stipend. Genes Family Watershed Fellowships are available in two ways:
Current students can learn more about eligibility requirements, selection process, award calculation, and application information on the intranet.
Summer 2026 funding applications are now open until April 6, 2026
Applications for the funding opportunities listed above are now open. Students may apply for all funding sources they are eligible for in one application.
Students must fill out the application form and upload the required documents to a Box folder before the deadline to be eligible for consideration. The application process and links to the form and Box folder are available on the intranet community tab linked here.
Summer 2026 funding applications will close at 11:59pm on April 6, 2026, determinations will be made once the application period closes - funding is not awarded on a first come basis.
External Summer Funding Opportunities
There are other sources of funding beyond those offered by King Hall and KHLF. Students should look to bar associations, foundations, affinity groups, etc. Learn more about funding opportunities by checking out our External Summer Public Interest Funding Opportunities page.