Fellowships and Scholarships

Gitenstein Institute Advanced Research Fellowship

The Gitenstein Institute Advanced Research Fellowship is a paid legal research and writing fellowship with a concentration in Health Law.

Research fellows are appointed for a one (1) academic year to provide scholarly research and writing to support projects of the Institute, seminars, and scholarship. The fellowship is available to 2L and 3L students who meet the eligibility requirements below.

Fellows receive a $5,000/year stipend (September-April).

Research fellows will assist with research and community outreach projects, symposia and events of the Gitenstein Institute for Health Law and Policy, including, but not limited to:

  • Supporting faculty research and writing
  • Supporting and participating in Gitenstein Institute projects and events throughout the academic year such as:
    • The CHAT Project
    • The Medical Legal Partnership/MLP
    • Contributing to the Hofstra Bioethics BLOG
    • The Legal Map
    • Planning various CLE series for professional development of attorneys

Applicants are required to have either:

  1. Attended Under the Microscope, a ten-session, non-credit discussion seminar offered to 1L students designed to introduce health law concepts in the context of first year courses; or
  2. Completed, or be enrolled in, two (2) for-credit Health Law courses.

That is, in order to hold the Fellowship during the 2L year, applicants must have attended Under the Microscope. To hold the fellowship in the 3L year, applicants must have attended Under the Microscope or have taken (or be currently enrolled in) at least two (2) for-credit Health Law courses.

In addition, applicants must be in good academic standing with a GPA of 3.4. 

Interested students who have been admitted to the Maurice A. Deane School of Law can apply for the Gitenstein Institute Research Fellowship. Fellows are chosen based on their academic record, prior experience with the health care and related areas or has personal experience with health care (e.g. caring for a family member, experience dealing with insurance for self or on behalf of a family member, or other valued experience), commitment to advancing health law policy and leadership potential and participation in Under the Microscope or completion of or enrollment in two (2) health law courses.

Up to three (3) fellows will be selected each academic year for 2L’s and up to three (3) fellows for the 3L year.

The application for the Fellowship is due on May 1 and should be submitted electronically. A completed application must include:

  • a certification of attendance to all Under the Microscope sessions in the fall semester or enrollment (or completion of) in 2 for-credit health law courses by the application deadline.
  • a copy of the applicant’s most recent transcript;
  • a resume; and
  • an essay not longer than two double-spaced pages discussing your interest in health law and its link to a topic covered in Under the Microscope and /or one core 1L courses or a topic covered in a health law course taken after the 1L year.

Finalists will be invited to interview with the selection committee.

All complete application packages must be submitted to gitenstein@hofstra.edu.