For more information, contact
Graduate & International Programs at intlaw@hawaii.edu

The Sam L. Cohen Fellowship

Overview

Through the generous support of the Samuel L. Cohen Foundation, the William S. Richardson  School of Law, as part of its International Law Program, sponsors a summer program for selected JD law students enrolled at the William S. Richardson School of Law who wish to undertake at least eight weeks of human rights work during the summer with nongovernmental or intergovernmental organizations concerned with international human rights.  The Fellowship work must be unpaid and voluntary. 

The Sam L. Cohen Foundation is a philanthropic foundation that strives to ensure that all people have the opportunity to develop their potential and provide healthy, productive futures for themselves, their families, and their communities.

Its work is based on these three core beliefs:
Everyone deserves an opportunity to have a fulfilling and productive future;
Family and community are of utmost importance in life; and
Giving back to one’s community is a fundamental value.

Through the generous support of the Samuel L. Cohen Foundation, the William S. Richardson  School of Law, as part of its International Law Program, sponsors a summer program for selected JD law students enrolled at the William S. Richardson School of Law who wish to undertake at least eight weeks of human rights work during the summer with nongovernmental or intergovernmental organizations concerned with international human rights.  The Fellowship work must be unpaid and voluntary. 

Application and recipient responsibilities

Applicants need to seek out the sponsoring organization, design the fellowship, and obtain written confirmation of the fellowship from the sponsoring organization. A sponsoring organization is one that has an established human rights program for which the  student can serve. Recipients must work at an established organization, not merely doing field work on their own.  

Complete applications must include a personal statement, a project summary, a project proposal, a budget and budget narrative, a letter from the sponsoring organization, two letters of recommendation, a current resume, law school transcripts, and a waiver and release form.

Recipients are expected to make their own travel, visa, and housing arrangements. After completing the fellowships, recipients will be expected to share their summer experiences with other students at a forum and through other educational opportunities and to  submit a written report of their experience. The written report will be made available to other  interested students. 

2024 Cohen Fellows