Internships and Curricular Support

Rural Justice Fellows work in partnership with the University of Maine School of Law and the State Public Defenders Unit in immersive summer placements throughout rural Maine, contributing to high-level legal and paralegal work while assisting and learning from practitioners serving under-resourced communities.

• Applications open each January
• Fellows are encouraged to submit joint applications (2-3 fellows each)
• Fellows receive free lodging and a $3,000 stipend for May-July work.

Policy Fellows intern with leading state organizations and nonprofit institutions that work at the center of pressing policy challenges. Recent placements have included work on:

• State and town-wide resilience and climate commissions
• smart development and land use (e.g., Smart Growth initiatives)
• community development finance (e.g., Coastal Enterprises, Inc.)
• disability rights and advocacy
• food systems and local agriculture

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, depending on partner needs and student interest. Policy Fellows receive a $1,000 stipend to offset lost wages.

In addition to flagship programs, the Lab provides support for internships identified by students.

• Funding opportunities are available through four application cycles each year, aligned with DavisConnects
• Students are encouraged to pursue opportunities that align with their academic interests and policy goals
• The Lab provides guidance on identifying placements and strengthening applications
• Internships must be taken for academic credit