AEF Public Interest Fellowships

AEF is pleased to announce that applications for 2024 AEF Summer Public Interest Fellowships are now being accepted. Law students that are interested in funding for their unpaid public interest internship should submit their application to applications@aefdc.org by Monday, April 1, 2024 at 11:59pm ET.

  • Wone Fellow: 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.

  • AEF Fellows: These fellowships will be awarded to applicants who have a demonstrated commitment to public service.

Applicants who are selected for an interview may be contacted for a 20-minute interview with the Fellowship Committee. Interviews will likely be held on Tuesday April 9 or Thursday April 11, at 6-8 PM ET.

Robert E. Wone Fellowship | AEF will award 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).  The Wone Fellow will receive either $4,500 or $5,500 of that stipend at the beginning of the summer. The Wone Fellow will then be responsible for completing the internship to the satisfaction of his or her employer, providing a written summary of the work he or she performed, and submitting a photo of himself or herself to appear in AEF’s annual newsletter. Upon fulfilling these conditions, the Wone Fellow will receive the remaining $500 of the stipend.

AEF Public Interest Fellowships | AEF will award AEF Fellowships to applicants who have a demonstrated commitment to public service.  Each winner will receive a total stipend of $3,000 to $4,000 (depending on funding).  Each AEF Fellow will receive either $2,500 or $3,500 of that stipend at the beginning of the summer. Each AEF Fellow will then be responsible for completing the internship to the satisfaction of his or her employer, providing a written summary of the work he or she performed, and submitting a photo of himself or herself to appear in AEF’s annual newsletter. Upon fulfilling these conditions, each AEF Fellow will receive the remaining $500 of the stipend.

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.

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.