2027 Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship in Law and Social Science

Deadline: January 14, 2027, at 11:59 PM CT.

The Opportunity

The American Bar Foundation (ABF) is accepting applications for the 2027 Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF), an eight-week program that provides undergraduate students with hands-on training in empirical legal and social science research. Through faculty mentorship, seminars, and the development of an independent research project, Fellows gain insight into how researchers study law, legal institutions, and inequality to expand knowledge and advance justice.

This fellowship is intended for students with strong intellectual curiosity and a demonstrated interest in pursuing research-focused graduate study, including PhD programs or research-oriented joint JD/PhD programs in the social sciences. Students who take initiative, ask thoughtful questions, and engage actively with their mentors, and the research process are most well-suited for the fellowship. Preference will be given to rising seniors and to candidates from groups underrepresented in the fields of law and social science, including but not limited to first-generation and low-income students.

Throughout the program, Fellows work with an ABF Research Professor who serves as a mentor and supervisor.
Participants enter the program with an initial research idea and, with guidance from their mentor, develop it into an original research proposal over the course of the summer. With guidance from their mentor, Fellows refine their research questions, conduct literature reviews, explore methodological approaches, and engage with the ethical and societal implications of scholarly research. Fellows also engage with ABF faculty, staff, affiliates, and visiting scholars throughout the summer, receive feedback on their emerging ideas and present their research proposals to the broader ABF community at the program's conclusion.

Fellows also participate in a weekly seminar designed to deepen their engagement with sociolegal research. Led by ABF Research Professor Christopher W. Schmidt, the seminar introduces foundational scholarship in law and society through discussions of seminal texts, major debates, and core questions in sociolegal research. The seminar is complemented by workshops, site visits, and conversations with scholars and research organizations that expose Fellows to a variety of approaches to sociolegal research and academic inquiry.

All Fellows will participate in the program 35 hours a week in our Chicago, IL, office on a hybrid schedule (most days working in the office with some offsite and remote days) from June 7 through July 30 and receive a gross stipend of $6,000. The ABF will pay for reasonable out-of-state travel and local commuting expenses related to the program. Fellows are responsible for securing their own housing accommodations during the program.

Eligibility

To be considered for acceptance into SURF, you must:

• Be currently enrolled at an accredited college or university in the United States;

• Have completed at least two years of your undergraduate study by the time the fellowship begins;

• Not have earned a bachelor’s degree by the time the fellowship begins;

• Demonstrate research interests that align with the work conducted at the American Bar Foundation;

• Have a strong interest in pursuing a doctoral degree (PhD) or a
  joint law degree and research-focused graduate
  degree in the social sciences.

Please note: SURF is a research-intensive program. While some Fellows go on to practice law, this fellowship is intended for those interested in studying the law and social sciences. The admissions committee places particular value on demonstrated engagement in research and interest in research-oriented graduate study.

All qualified candidates who are authorized to work in the United States for the duration of the fellowship are encouraged to apply. Please note that the ABF is unable to sponsor employment visas for participation in the program.

Application Process
Due to the large volume of applications, late applications cannot be reviewed. A select number of candidates will be invited to interview over Zoom in March 2027. Final decisions are expected to be announced in early April.

Candidates must attach a single-file PDF that includes all required materials:

• Résumé or academic CV;

• Unofficial transcript of academic courses completed at the time of application;

• Essay responses to the following two prompts in up to 600 words each:

Essay Response 1: Personal Statement

Discuss the academic and/or personal experiences that have shaped your interest in research, your educational and professional aspirations, and how participation in the SURF program would further your educational and professional goals.

Essay Response 2: Research Interest and Question

Please describe a research question or topic you would like to explore during the Fellowship program and explain its significance. Discuss any relevant academic, research, professional, or community-based experiences that have prepared you to pursue this interest, including any relevant coursework, research experience, methodological training, technical skills, or other forms of preparation. This may include experiences that have been completed, are currently underway, or will be completed before the Fellowship begins.

In your statement, please also identify two to three ABF Research Professors whose research agendas, substantive interests, or methodological approaches align with your proposal. Briefly explain why each faculty member would be a strong mentor for your work.

Applicants are not expected to submit a fully developed research design; rather, the statement should demonstrate intellectual curiosity, thoughtful engagement with a research question, and readiness to participate in a research-intensive fellowship program.

If you have questions about the application process or the position, please direct inquiries to fellowships@abfn.org
with the subject line “Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship.”