Each year Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C. invites applications for the Leadership & Advocacy for Women in Africa Fellowship -LAWA Fellowship. The scholarship is open to students from African countries who will be pursuing master degree (LLM Program) at the university. Please anticipate the deadline of this LAWA Fellowship in January each years.
Scholarship Description
The goals of the U.S. and LAWA Fellowships are multifaceted to advance the rights and well-being of women and their families through legal advocacy, research, outreach and education; to allow public interest organizations to benefit from skilled legal assistance. Applicants must have strong English language skills both written and oral. Language problems have been the primary barrier to success for LAWA Fellows.
Level and Area of Studies
Master degree in law fields.
Place of Study
In the United States of America.
Award Value
The LAWA Fellowship provides the tuition for the Foundations of American Law and Legal Education Course (a U.S. $2,200 benefit) and for the LL.M. degree (a U.S. $46,865 benefit) at the Georgetown University Law Center, as well as professional development training. Candidates who are admitted to the LAWA Program must be prepared to cover the costs of all additional expenses (such as their visas, travel, housing, utilities, food, clothing, health insurance, books, etc.), and must be able to demonstrate to the U.S. Embassy for visa purposes that they have the funds available to cover those expenses (approximately $28,000).
Applicants’ Nationality
All African nationals are welcome to apply.
Eligibility and Criteria
- Candidates who are awarded an LAWA Fellowship must be prepared to cover the costs of all additional expenses (such as visas, travel, housing, utilities, food, clothing, health insurance, books, fees, etc.). Candidates must be able to demonstrate to the U.S. Embassy for visa purposes that they have the full amount of funds available to cover these expenses at the time of their visa application. This totals over U.S. $25,845. For the summer internship portion, students need to show $2,232 per month, for the 2 to 3 month internship period. These costs are significantly less if you can affirm that you are staying with family in the Washington, DC area.
- Candidates are encouraged to apply for individual funding, or seek support from their employers. The LAWA Program does not have the capacity to assist with these efforts.
- You must be a women’s human rights lawyer from Africa in order to be considered. You must hold an LL.B. or other law degree. Preference is given to those who: (1). are currently living and working in Africa, and (2). do not already have a Masters’ Degree.
- The strongest applicants tend to be about five to ten years out of law school. Others with less of more experience may be considered and accepted into the LAWA Program. Candidates with no work experience and are applying directly from an LL.B. or other law schools will not be considered.
- Men who are committed to women’s rights are strongly encouraged to apply.
- As a requirement of participation in the LAWA Program, all applicants must commit to returning home to their own countries upon completion of the Fellowship and to use their best professional efforts to advance women’s human rights in their countries throughout their careers.
- You must have strong English language skills, both written and oral. Language problems have been the primary barrier to success for LAWA Fellows.
- The LAWA Program requires candidates to become proficient in using computers for drafting papers and conducting research. Candidates are strongly encouraged to learn basic computer skills before arrival in order to make this transition easier. At the very minimum, candidates should work to improve their typing speed before starting the program.
- Candidates must be prepared to enter a very demanding course of study. LAWA Fellows take four required courses and several more elective courses over the course of the two semesters. Fellows are required to produce a Masters’ Thesis totalling no fewer than 40 pages, including several drafts of intense research, writing and editing. Successful completion of the program requires intense commitment, focus, and very hard work.
Application Instruction
Please go to the link below to apply this LAWA Fellowship.
Submission Deadline
January each year.