Applications are now open for the 2025/2026 UNEP-Georgetown Global Environment and Sustainability Law Fellows Program. This prestigious fellowship Funded by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) aims to enhance the capacity of public sector environmental lawyers from developing countries by providing advanced academic training and practical experience in environmental law and policy. Details discussed in this article.
UNEP-Georgetown Fellowship Summary
Host Institution: Georgetown University Law Center
Location: Washington, D.C., USA
Awarded degree: LL.M. in Environmental and Energy Law
Value and Coverage: Partially Funded
Duration: One academic year for the LL.M. program, followed by a 3-month internship.
Application Deadlines: February 5, 2025
Eligible To: Public sector lawyers from developing countries engaged in environmental law or related fields
Fellowship Overview
Established in 2016 through a partnership between the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Georgetown University Law Center, the Global Environment and Sustainability Law Fellows Program is designed to train public sector lawyers from developing countries in environmental, natural resources, and associated legal fields. The program's objective is to promote the environmental rule of law by equipping lawyers with advanced knowledge and practical experience.
Fellows will undertake an LL.M. in Environmental and Energy Law at Georgetown Law, which offers over 60 courses covering topics such as environmental justice, water law, wildlife law, and the intersection of business, sustainability, and human rights. Upon completion of the LL.M., fellows will participate in a three-month internship at UNEP's headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, or one of its regional offices, gaining invaluable international environmental legal and policy experience. Successful Fellows will receive an Environmental and Energy Law LL.M. Degree.
Fellowship Benefits
Tuition and Fees: Full coverage of tuition for the LL.M. program, including the Summer Experience Program, and all required textbooks.
Travel Expenses: Flights to and from Washington, D.C., before and after the LL.M., and flights to and from the UNEP posting for the internship.
Health Insurance: Provided for the duration of the LL.M. program and the internship.
Living Stipend: A monthly stipend to cover living expenses during the three-month internship with UNEP.
Degree: Successful Fellows will receive an Environmental and Energy Law LL.M. Degree
*Please note:* The fellowship does not cover aliving expenses in Washington, D.C. Fellows must be prepared to cover the costs of housing, food, and other personal expenses during the LL.M. program.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the fellowship, candidates must:
Reside in a developing country.
Possess the requisite degree to practice law in their home country.
Be currently employed by a national or local government entity.
Be engaged in practicing environmental law, energy law, natural resources law, or a related legal field.
Commitment to returning to home country to continue working in public sector environmental law for a minimum of three years.
Application Procedure
1. For National Focal Points (NFPs):
NFPs to the Montevideo Environmental Law Programme are invited to nominate up to two candidates by emailing [unep-montevideo@un.org] with a curriculum vitae (maximum two pages) for each nominee by November 15, 2024.
Shortlisted candidates will receive application fee waivers from Georgetown Law by January 5, 2025.
2. For Other Interested Candidates:
Candidates may apply directly to Georgetown Law and indicate their interest in the fellowship on their LL.M. application.
Direct applicants are not eligible for application fee waivers.
All applications must include a supplemental essay (500 words or less) on an environmental law or policy issue of particular interest.
The application deadline for all candidates is February 5, 2025.
For application forms, requirements, and detailed information on the application process, visit the Georgetown Law Graduate Admissions page.
ℹ️ Contact Information:
For questions or assistance, contact UNEP at [unep-montevideo@un.org] or Lydia Slobodian at Georgetown Law at [lns27@georgetown.edu].
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