AEF Public Interest Fellowships

AEF awards fellowships every year to law students who are committed to doing public interest work over the summer. Students must meet the following criteria: 

  • The public interest work must benefit either the Greater Washington, D.C. community-at-large, and/or the Asian Pacific American (APA) community. 

  • Eligible internship placements include federal, state, and local government; nonprofit organizations; District Attorney and Public Defender Offices; and judicial internships. 

  • The internship itself must be unpaid (except for nominal payment for items such as transportation, and other grants, fellowships, or funding).

  • The internship must be at least eight weeks, or a total of 320 hours. 

Robert E. Wone Fellowship | AEF awards the Robert E. Wone Fellowship to one applicant each year. Created in 2007, this fellowship is awarded to the applicant who most embodies what a former director, Robert E. Wone, sought to be as a lawyer—a trusted member of the community, making a difference in public policies and seeing his efforts improve the circumstances of those around him. The winner of the Wone Fellowship will receive a total stipend of $5,000 to $6,000 (depending on funding).

AEF Public Interest Fellowships | AEF awards Public Interest Fellowships to a selected few applicants each year. Each winner will receive a total stipend of $3,000 to $4,000 (depending on funding).

Fellows will receive a portion of their stipend at the beginning of the summer. The Fellows will then be responsible for completing the internship to the satisfaction of their employer. The Fellows must provide a written summary of the work performed, and submit their photo to appear in AEF’s publications. Upon fulfilling these conditions, the Fellows will receive the remainder of the stipend.

Deadline: Application materials must be received by 11:59 PM ET, on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at applications@aefdc.org.

Selection Criteria

AEF considers all of the materials submitted by an applicant. The essay is heavily weighted and should be carefully prepared. Letters of recommendation should be from persons who can provide relevant information to AEF regarding the applicant’s qualifications and experience making him or her a fit candidate for an award of a fellowship. An applicant must be in good standing at his or her law school. Although a law school transcript is required, the student’s academic performance will not weigh heavily in the selection process. If an interview is conducted, the applicant’s interview performance may also be considered in the selection process. Other factors AEF may consider include, but are not limited to:

  • A demonstrated commitment to public service

  • Evidence of the applicant’s maturity and responsibility

  • Placement of fellowship recipients in diverse employment settings

Non-Discrimination Policy & Other Policies

AEF does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, sex, disability, race, color, religion, ethnic/national origin, veteran status, or sexual orientation in the award of these fellowships. AEF officers and directors and their immediate families are ineligible for the fellowships. Only one fellowship may be awarded to an applicant for each internship.

A fellowship recipient immediately must notify AEF in writing if the recipient (i) leaves the position approved by AEF; (ii) changes employers; (iii) ceases to work for the required number of hours; or (iv) becomes subject to academic discipline or ceases to be enrolled in law school.  In each such event, the recipient must obtain the written approval of AEF to continue under the AEF fellowship program. In its discretion, AEF shall determine whether forfeiture of the fellowship or a modification of the terms or amount of the award is appropriate.

A recipient’s failure to comply with AEF policies and/or the conditions of the fellowship may result in the forfeiture of the entire award or a portion thereof. AEF welcomes corporate, foundation, community, and individual donations to support its charitable activities.

Recent Recipients

Recipients of the 2024 AEF Public Interest Fellowships

Recipients of the 2023 AEF Public Interest Fellowships

Recipients of the 2022 AEF Public Interest Fellowships

In the past, AEF Fellowships have financially supported internships at key Asian Pacific American nonprofit organizations, including Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC) and the Asian Pacific American Legal Resource Center (APALRC). To view the complete list of AEF fellowship recipients, please click the button below.