Job Description

Applications for the ABF/Northwestern Doctoral Fellowship in Law & Social Science for the 2025-26 academic year are now open.

Deadline: February 1st, 2025

Purpose  

The American Bar Foundation and Northwestern University are committed to developing the next generation of scholars in the field of law and social science. The purpose of this fellowship is to encourage original and significant research on law, the legal profession, and legal institutions. 

Eligibility  

Applicants should be outstanding Northwestern students who are candidates for Ph.D. degrees in the social sciences or related fields. The ABF/Northwestern Doctoral Fellowship applications are reviewed by a committee of American Bar Foundation scholars along with the Northwestern University's Provost Office. Final selection is made by the American Bar Foundation's Doctoral Fellowship Committee. Applicants must have completed all doctoral requirements except the dissertation by September 1, 2025. Doctoral and proposed research must be in the general area of sociolegal studies or in social scientific approaches to law, legal institutions, the legal profession or social justice. The research must address significant issues in the field and show promise of a major contribution to social scientific understanding of law and justice. While there are no citizenship requirements for this fellowship, please note that we do not have the institutional capacity to sponsor visas, and the ABF is unable to advise on individual visa matters. If you have questions, we encourage you to discuss your circumstances with the international student services office at your institution

Awards  

Fellows will receive a stipend of $38,000 per year for up to two academic years (24 months). Doctoral fellows will not be considered employees of the ABF and must retain benefits, including healthcare, through Northwestern. Fellows will also have access to a modest research account to reimburse expenses associated with research, travel to meet with advisors, or travel to conferences at which papers are presented. 

Tenure  

Fellowships are awarded for up to 24 months, beginning September 1, 2025. 

Conditions  

Fellowships are held in residence at the ABF. Fellows are expected to participate fully in the academic life of the ABF so that they may develop close collegial ties with ABF faculty and other scholars in residence. Appointments to fellowships are full time. Because this is a full-time program, the ABF does not allow fellows to hold concurrent fellowships, but we support and encourage fellows to apply for research grants. 

Qualifications  

Applications are invited from outstanding Northwestern students who are candidates for Ph.D. degrees and who have completed all doctoral requirements except the dissertation by September 1, 2025. Doctoral research must be in the general area of sociolegal studies or involve social scientific approaches to the law, legal institutions, or legal processes. 

How to Apply  

Applicants must include: 

1. 1–2-page cover letter of application; 
2. 2–3-page description of a research project, a dissertation abstract or proposal with an outline of the substance and methods of the research; 
3. A curriculum vitae; 
4. Names and contact information of 3 professional references that we may contact if appropriate, one of whom should be the applicant's dissertation chairperson; 
5. A writing sample, reflective of a candidate's best work and appropriate to a candidate's discipline;
6. A Diversity Statement, not more than 2 pages, highlighting demonstrated and planned efforts to promote diversity and equity through their research, life experience, or other work. 

If you have questions about the application process or the position, please direct inquiries to "fellowships@ abfn.org" with the subject line “ABF/Northwestern Doctoral Fellowship Program.” 

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