Law School Summer Internship Stipend Program

The FCBA Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization and educational organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The charitable arm of the Federal Communications Bar Association, the Foundation supports service activities related to technology, media, and telecommunications law and policy and educational endeavors, including through awarding scholarships to deserving high school and law students and stipends for law students doing unpaid, public service internships related to TMT law and policy.

Through this program the FCBA Foundation awards stipend funds (up to $10,000) to law students employed in unpaid technology, telecommunications, and media (TMT)-related summer internships with a government entity.

To be eligible for consideration for the stipend, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Currently enrolled at an ABA-accredited U.S. law school, pursuing a juris doctorate (J.D.) degree (at the time the internship commences)
• Applied to or accepted for an unpaid summer internship with a government entity
• Not already receiving external stipend funds exceeding $12,000
• Summer work will involve legal or policy work related to the technology, telecommunications or media sector

Public service internships include opportunities with government agencies, the courts, or Congress. Over the years, stipends have been used by students to support work in federal, state and local government agencies with a connection to the TMT sector. Examples of agencies where recipients can work include the FCC, FTC, NTIA, DOJ, DHS, NIST, and others. Students can also work in Congress and in relevant parts of state and local government.

The program provides stipends of up to $10,000.  The Foundation considers funding from other sources in making award decisions and generally will adjust its stipend awards so that a recipient’s total funding for the internship will not exceed $12,000.

No. Students at ABA-accredited law schools in the U.S. are eligible.

Yes. The FCBA Foundation will consider applicants seeking qualifying unpaid, summer internships related to TMT law and policy with federal, state, local, or tribal government entities located outside of Washington, D.C.

The application period opens in early February and closes in early March. Links to the applications for these programs will be posted above.

Applications will be assessed on a host of criteria including academic performance, public service, motivation, and financial need.

Decisions on FCBA Foundations scholarships and internship stipends are expected to be announced in May of each year.

If you have any questions about the Foundation Law School Summer Internship Stipend program or application, please contact Stephanie Budaker by email at stephanie@fcba.org.