Chayes International Public Service Fellowship Frequently Asked Questions

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Who is eligible for the Chayes Fellowship?

Chayes Fellowships are awarded to HLS J.D. students who have completed at least one year of law school by the coming summer and to in-residence HLS S.J.D. students.

What type of projects fit within the Chayes Fellowship?

The Fellowships are intended to support law-related public service work in non-profit or governmental organizations concerned with issues of an international scope or relevant to countries in transition. Chayes Fellows' projects can take a variety of forms, but could focus on development of legal, political, social and economic institutions, constitutional and legal issues in emerging democracies, or reconstruction of war-torn societies, among others.

What are the resources available for finding an organization that fits within the Chayes Fellowship framework?

The Chayes Fellowship program provides a regularly updated list of pre-approved placement organizations that are interested in hosting for the summer a Chayes Fellow whose interests and skills match the needs of the organization. These authorized placement organizations, which are listed on the Program's website, are screened to ensure that the proposed placement meets the Chayes Program's requirements.

The Chayes Fellowship program also maintains a list of organizations that have served as Chayes placements in previous years, or have been suggested as organizations that would meet the criteria for a Chayes placement, that have not completed paperwork this year.

There are also many members of the HLS community who can serve as invaluable resources for students planning international public interest work. OPIA advisors, former Chayes Fellows and other JD students who have spent a summer abroad, as well as LLM and SJD students who come from other countries, can provide information about specific organizations and the social and legal cultures in other countries. Faculty members and staff of HLS research centers and programs can also serve as useful resources.

Can I apply to organizations not listed as pre-approved on the Chayes Fellowship website?

Yes, provided that the organization fits within the Chayes framework. Students interested in working with organizations not on the roster of authorized placements are encouraged to inquire with OPIA or the Chayes Fellowship Program about whether an organization is likely to be approved as a Chayes Fellowship placement site.

Can I apply to work with more than one organization?

Yes, students are encouraged to apply to a number of organizations and it can take time to secure an appropriate international placement. If students have applied to a number of organizations when they prepare the Chayes application, and have not yet settled on one (which is perfectly fine, by the way!), they should indicate where they have applied and their preferences.

Can Chayes Fellows work for US-based organizations?

Yes, it is possible to work for a US-based organization if it is international in scope. For example, former Chayes Fellows have worked for the World Bank in Washington, DC and the United Nations in New York. In general, though, the program is designed to support students spending the summer abroad. (Chayes Fellows who spend the summer in the US do not receive a stipend above the standard amount for Summer Public Interest Funding.)

What is the process for getting a placement organization approved?

In order to seek approval for a placement organization, the student must first provide the proposed organization with the Chayes International Public Service Fellowship Information Sheet for Placement Organizations to ensure that the organization understands and is prepared to meet its responsibilities.

Second, the student should ask his/her contact at the placement organization to fully complete the Chayes International Public Service Fellowship Placement Form. While we recognize that projects evolve over time and it can be difficult to specify early on exactly what a Fellow will work on during the summer, it is important that this form contain as much detail as possible. In particular, the Fellow must have one or more designated projects; a description along the lines of “assisting with the general work of the organization” is not adequate.

Please be advised that the submission of a completed placement form is not, in itself, sufficient to gain approval for a placement. Nor is it a given that an organization that has been approved in past years will be approved every summer. Once the placement form is submitted, it is reviewed by the Chayes Fellowship Program to ensure that (a) the organization falls within the program’s parameters and (b) the proposed project is substantive and appropriate for a law school student. In some cases the Chayes committee will have questions or require further information and may contact the student and/or placement organization. The process of getting approval for Chayes placement organizations is not excessively complicated but is quite valuable in ensuring that Chayes Fellows have the best possible summer experience.

Once a student has received approval for a placement organization s/he must also obtain a letter confirming the offer for the summer.

What if I haven't secured a placement by the Chayes Fellowship application deadline?

Placement organizations are sometimes not as responsive as students hope and therefore we encourage students to begin seeking a placement as early as possible, and follow up with e-mail and fax correspondence and phone calls when necessary. Although it is not required to have a specific placement secured until March 31, 2010, students should have been in contact with possible placement organizations by the time the Chayes Fellowship Program holds interviews with applicants in February 2010.

What happens if I am offered a position with a pre-approved Chayes organization but am not selected as a Chayes Fellow?

Students who are offered positions with approved Chayes organizations are welcome to work for those organizations if offered a position, provided that the organization does not condition the position upon participation in the Chayes Program. Students who receive Summer Public Interest Funding may use it to defray the cost of their summer travel and living expenses for work with approved Chayes organizations.

What if I am selected as a Chayes Fellow but the Chayes Program does not subsequently approve the organization?

Participation in the Chayes Fellowship Program requires spending the summer at an approved Chayes placement organization. Staff of the Chayes Program will work with students to ensure that they find placements that are consistent with their needs and skills, and fall within the parameters of the Fellowship Program.

What is the difference between the Chayes Fellowship and the HRP summer internship program?

Students should be aware that while there is some similarity to Harvard’s Human Rights Program (HRP) Summer Internship there is an important distinction between the two programs. In contrast to HRP, the Chayes Fellowship tends to support students seeking human rights-focused placements only in post-conflict societies. In general, the Chayes Fellowship is awarded to students who will be working in societies in development or transition, or on related issues. Students who are interested in placement organizations that could be sponsored by either the Chayes Program or HRP should apply to both programs directly in order to be considered. Any questions about which organizations are better suited for which fellowship program should be referred to staff at HRP or Chayes. Whenever possible, the Chayes Program and HRP staff will make efforts to coordinate and ensure that students apply to and receive fellowships through the appropriate program. In cases in which a student’s placement would be appropriate for both programs, Chayes and HRP staff will take into consideration overall program balance and distribution of students and placements. Application and notification deadlines will be the same for both programs, as will stipend amounts.

Can I split my summer between two organizations or work as a Chayes Fellow for less than 10 weeks?

The Chayes Fellowship Program does not permit Fellows to split the summer between two organizations unless the work is part of a comprehensive and coordinated project. However, Fellows are welcome to spend 10 weeks at one organization and work additional time elsewhere. This requirement is in place for two reasons. First, 10 weeks is needed for a student to maximize his/her involvement in an organization and engagement in substantive work. Second, 10 weeks is the minimum time period required for HLS students to receive stipends through the Summer Public Interest Funding program.

Can I obtain class credit as part of the summer internship?

Chayes Fellows cannot receive class credit for undertaking their summer internship. However, it is possible for students to fulfill the HLS pro bono work requirements through summer placements.

Who manages the Chayes Fellowship and where should I go for questions?

Staff members at the Bernard Koteen Office of Public Interest Advising and the Chayes Fellowship Program are available to discuss potential placement organizations and make recommendations to interested students. Also, former Chayes Fellows can serve as a resource.

Please feel free to contact the following individuals with any questions regarding the Chayes program:

Sara Zucker, tel 5-9030
Ben Cook, tel 6-0899
Neha Sheth (OPIA student liaison)

International Legal Studies

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