FCBA Foundation Law School Summer Internship Stipend Program

Purpose: Awards stipends to law students employed as unpaid summer interns in government service positions related to telecommunications, media, and technology (TMT) law and policy.

Geographic Scope: National - students from accredited law schools around the country

Eligible Work Areas:

• Government service internships related to TMT law and policy
• Broadcasting, cable, information technology, television, telephony, satellite, and wireless
• Internet law and policy, privacy, cybersecurity, copyright
• Emerging technologies and related policy and legal issues
• Federal, state, local, or tribal government entities
• Congress and Congressional committees
• Public service organizations

Eligible Organizations:

• Federal agencies (FCC, FTC, NTIA, DOJ, DHS, NIST, etc.)
• Federal courts
• Congress
• State and local government agencies
• Tribal government entities

Eligibility Criteria:

• Currently enrolled at an ABA-accredited U.S. law school
• Pursuing a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree (at time internship commences)
• Applied to or accepted for an unpaid summer internship with government entity or public service organization
• Not already receiving external stipend funds exceeding $12,000
• Summer work must involve legal or policy work related to TMT sector

Award Details:

• Stipends up to $10,000 per student
• In 2025, program provided $16,500 in support to 6 law students
• Foundation considers other funding sources and adjusts awards so total funding does not exceed $12,000

Law School Summer Internship Stipend Program Application

Current Status: Application window has closed. Program will reopen in early 2027.

Typical Application Timeline:

• Application period: Early February to early March
• Decision announcement: May

Eligibility Requirements:

1. Currently enrolled at an ABA-accredited U.S. law school
2. Pursuing a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree (at time internship commences)
3. Applied to or accepted for an unpaid summer internship with:
   • Government entity, or
   • Public service organization
4. Not already receiving external stipend funds exceeding $12,000
5. Summer work involves legal or policy work related to TMT sector

Evaluation Criteria:

• Academic performance
• Public service motivation
• Financial need
• Quality of internship opportunity
• Consideration of other funding sources

Questions: Contact Stephanie Budaker at stephanie@fcba.org