[American Bar Foundation](https://www.americanbarfoundation.org)

April 27, 2026

$48,000 annual stipend for at least one year; potential for a second year pending funding; modest research and relocation support.

Supports doctoral candidates conducting innovative, empirical, and interdisciplinary research on access, affordability, or value in legal and higher education.

--- ## Description This fellowship, co-sponsored by the American Bar Foundation (ABF) and AccessLex Institute, is designed to support emerging scholars whose doctoral research addresses access, affordability, or value in legal and higher education. The program aims to foster a professional network of scholars producing empirical, objective, and interdisciplinary research, and to advance social scientific understanding in these critical areas. Fellows are expected to be in residence at the ABF in Chicago, participate fully in the academic life of the Foundation, and engage with ABF faculty and other scholars. --- ## Due Dates - April 27, 2026: Application deadline for the 2026–27 fellowship cycle Applicants will be notified about the status of their applications by mid-May. --- ## Funding Amount - Annual stipend of $48,000 for at least one year, beginning September 1, 2026 - Modest research account for reimbursable research expenses, travel to conferences, or meetings with advisors - Reasonable relocation expenses may be reimbursed - Potential for a second year of funding (pending confirmation at time of award notification) - Fellows are not employees of the ABF and must retain benefits (including healthcare) through their home institution --- ## Eligibility - Open to outstanding candidates for LLM, SJD, or PhD degrees in any discipline - Applicants must have completed all requirements for the doctoral degree except the dissertation by September 1, 2026 - Research must address significant issues in legal or higher education and promise a major contribution to social scientific understanding - Students from underrepresented minority groups and those from institutions not typically represented among law faculty are especially encouraged to apply - No citizenship requirements, but ABF cannot sponsor visas; candidates must be authorized to work in the U.S. - Fellows may not hold concurrent fellowships but may apply for additional research grants --- ## Application Process Applicants must submit: - 1–2 page cover letter of application - 2–3 page description of a research project or interest relevant to legal or higher education - Resume or curriculum vitae - Writing sample representative of the candidate’s best work - Names and contact information for three referees (one should be the dissertation chair or LLM/SJD advisor) - 2–3 page statement on demonstrated and planned efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, covering: - Understanding of diversity and factors influencing underrepresentation in academia - Track record of DEI engagement and activity, with specific examples - Concrete goals and plans for future DEI engagement as a faculty member Applications should be submitted via the [online application portal](https://american-bar-foundation.breezy.hr/p/6fcf1538c733-abf-accesslex-institute-doctoral-fellowship-program-in-legal-higher-education-2026/apply). --- ## Additional Information - Fellowships are in-residence and full-time at the ABF in Chicago - Fellows are expected to engage fully in ABF’s academic community - The ABF cannot provide visa sponsorship or advise on individual visa matters; consult your institution’s international student office as needed --- ## External Links - [Program Details and Application](https://www.americanbarfoundation.org/?post_type=programs&p=1314) - [Direct Application Portal](https://american-bar-foundation.breezy.hr/p/6fcf1538c733-abf-accesslex-institute-doctoral-fellowship-program-in-legal-higher-education-2026/apply) - [Former Doctoral and Postdoctoral Fellows](https://www.americanbarfoundation.org/programs/doctoral-fellowships/former-doctoral-and-postdoctoral-fellows/) - [AccessLex Institute](https://www.accesslex.org/) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact | |---------------------------------|-----------------------------------------| | General & Application Inquiries | fellowships@abfn.org | If you have questions about the application process or position, use the subject line “ABF/AccessLex Doctoral Fellowship Program in Legal and Higher Education” when emailing.

ABF/AccessLex Institute Doctoral Fellowship Program in Legal & Higher Education

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