Hey future change-makers! Ready to take your legal career to the next level and champion women’s rights across Africa? We’ve got an incredible opportunity for you: the Leadership & Advocacy for Women in Africa (LAWA) Fellowship Program. This isn’t just any bursary; it’s your chance to earn a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree at the prestigious Georgetown University in Washington, DC, USA, and become a powerful advocate for women and girls in your home country!
The LAWA Fellowship Program, established in 1993 at Georgetown University Law Center, is specifically designed to train women’s human rights lawyers from Africa. The goal? To equip you with top-tier legal education and advocacy skills so you can return to your country and make a real, lasting impact on the status of women and girls.
This intensive program spans approximately 14 months, typically starting in July of one year and concluding in August of the next. You’ll dive into the Foundations of American Law, undertake a rigorous thesis writing course, and then pursue an LL.M. degree at Georgetown with a strong focus on international women’s human rights. Plus, you’ll complete a significant graduate thesis, attend professional development seminars, and network with other human rights advocates. You even have the option to apply for an internship after graduation!
Who Can Apply?
- You must be a human rights lawyer with an LL.B. or equivalent law degree, specifically focused on women’s rights.
- The program prefers candidates who are currently living and working in Africa and do not yet hold a Master’s Degree.
- The strongest applicants usually have about five to ten years of post-law school experience. If you’re applying directly from your LL.B. with no work experience, you won’t be considered for this program.
- All individuals committed to advancing women’s rights are encouraged to apply, regardless of gender identity.
- A crucial commitment: You must be prepared to return to your home country upon completion of the fellowship and dedicate your professional efforts to advancing women’s human rights throughout your career.
- You need excellent English language skills, both written and oral, as language barriers have historically been a challenge for fellows.
- You should also be proficient in using computers for drafting and research. Basic computer skills are highly recommended before you arrive!
- This is a demanding academic program! You’ll take multiple courses, read hundreds of pages weekly, and produce a high-quality thesis of at least 40 pages. Be ready for intense research, writing, and editing – serious academic commitment is a must!
Important Note on Costs: While the LAWA Fellowship covers significant academic costs, you must be prepared to cover additional expenses such as visas, travel, housing, utilities, food, and personal items. This amounts to approximately U.S. $35,563, or about $10,000 if you’re residing with family in the Washington, DC area. You’ll need to demonstrate proof of these funds for visa purposes, and candidates are encouraged to seek individual funding or employer support for these living costs.
What Does It Cover?
Good news! The LAWA Fellowship is designed to remove financial barriers for exceptional African women’s human rights lawyers. Here’s what’s covered:
- Full tuition for the mandatory summer courses (a huge U.S. $5,000 benefit!).
- The entire tuition for your Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree at Georgetown University Law Center (valued at U.S. $86,294!).
- On-campus housing for the first three weeks of the summer program (a U.S. $1,500 benefit).
- Your books and health insurance for the entire duration of the program (a U.S. $6,098 benefit).
- Reimbursement of up to $600 for miscellaneous medical expenses.
Remember, while these incredible benefits cover your academic journey and essential services, living expenses like flights, visas, housing for most of the program, and daily costs are your responsibility, as mentioned in the “Who Can Apply?” section. Make sure you plan accordingly!
How to Apply?
Ready to apply for the LAWA Fellowship and make a huge impact? Follow these steps carefully – incomplete applications won’t be considered!
- Fill out the Application Form completely, making sure to answer all three essay questions.
- Submit your current Resume or CV. This should detail your full employment history (paid and volunteer), education from high school onwards, any publications or significant research, special honors, awards, and memberships/community activities.
- Arrange for Two Letters of Recommendation from individuals who know you well and can speak to your commitment to women’s human rights, legal skills, and work ethic. At least one recommender should be willing to support you professionally upon your return home. These letters can be emailed directly by the recommender or sent as scanned attachments with your application materials, but they must arrive by Friday, January 30, 2026.
- If you are offered an interview, you must then arrange for an official, sealed transcript from the institution that granted your law degree to be mailed directly to:
Jill C. Morrison
Georgetown University Law Center
600 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Hotung 5000K
Washington, DC 20001Please note: Photocopies or emails directly from your institution are NOT sufficient. This must be an original, mailed directly from your university. Also, include an explanation of your grading and ranking system. If you applied in previous years, you don’t need to resubmit your transcript, but you must send a revised application form, updated resume, and new recommendations.
- Send your completed application via email to [email protected] by Friday, January 16, 2026.
There’s no need to apply separately to Georgetown University – your LAWA Fellowship application is sufficient! After applying, make sure to check your email regularly starting February 1, 2026, as interview invitations will be sent out then. Don’t miss out on this opportunity by not responding promptly!
For more detailed information, please visit the official webpage:
Visit the Official LAWA Fellowship Program Webpage Here!
Ready to make a real difference in women’s human rights? If the Leadership & Advocacy for Women in Africa (LAWA) Bursary sounds like your next big step, don’t hesitate – apply before the deadline and explore even more amazing opportunities on Bursaries Room! Your future in law and advocacy starts now!
