Research Associates/Fellowships

Getches-Wilkinson Law Fellows Program

The Getches-Wilkinson Water Law Fellows work on the most pressing water law reform issues of the day under the guidance of the GWC and in partnership with leaders from the non-profit, government, and private sectors. The intensive two-year program will immerse the two Fellows in the real world challenges of water law and policy. They will address critical issues affecting western watersheds, conduct reform-oriented research, and interact with public and private sector leaders to inform policy-making. The Fellows will be actively engaged in water law reform in the public interest and will hone their leadership, communication, advocacy, and research skills. The overarching objective is to create a matchless educational and mentoring experience that will prepare the Fellows to become leaders in the field.

As you may recall, the Getches-Wilkinson Water Law Fellows Program was initiated by a generous donation from David Bonderman – a lawyer, executive, and significant supporter of conservation efforts. The matching funds came from an anonymous GWC supporter as well as the Water Funder Initiative – a collaborative effort to identify and activate promising water solutions through strategic philanthropic investments in the United States, starting in the West.

Job description, Requirements and Application instructions (CU Boulder Jobs)

Application period now closed (applications currently under review)

The Wyss Scholars Program in U.S. Lands Conservation

The Wyss Foundation is a private, charitable foundation dedicated to land conservation. The Wyss Scholars Program supports the graduate-level education of a new generation of leaders in U.S. land conservation. Wyss Scholars learn the latest in conservation law and policy and apply that knowledge in careers at land management agencies and nonprofit conservation groups. Wyss Scholarships are awarded to students currently enrolled at one of the six host schools.

One Wyss Scholar will be selected each year on the basis of leadership potential, commitment to furthering U.S. land conservation, commitment to pursuing a career in nonprofit or public sector conservation, financial need, and academic strength.  All students interested in  land conservation and sustainability issues are encouraged to apply.

Eligibility

All current 2L J.D. candidates at the University of Colorado Law School are eligible to apply. One Law School student will be selected each year to the Wyss Scholars program.

Both 1L and 2L students interested in the program are encouraged to attend the upcoming information sessions noted below.

Program Overview, Benefits, and Application Process Available Here

The Wyss Foundation Scholar Site

2024-2025 Cohort Applications Due Friday, January 19, 2024

Information Sessions

The GWC will host three information sessions to provide an overview of the program and answer questions about the application process, examples of summer internships, and expectations post-graduation.

Wednesday, November 9     2:00-3:00 pm
Zoom: https://cuboulder.zoom.us/j/95108395586

Tuesday, November 15     8:00-9:00 am
In person: Wolf Law, Room 306

Contact Information

For further information, please feel free to contact GWC Program Coordinator, Annie Carlozzi at annie.carlozzi@colorado.edu or 303-492-1286

The David Harrison Innovations in Water and Energy Law & Policy Fellowship

Climate change is the defining issue of our time, and its severe impacts are unprecedented in both speed and scale. Without strategic action in the very near-term, meaningful mitigation will become more difficult, expensive and elusive. Insufficient action will leave our most vulnerable populations facing the greatest risk. The Innovations in Water and Energy Law & Policy Fellowship is intended to provide interested students at the University of Colorado Law School an opportunity to understand two crucial components of a sustainable future – water and energy governance – and the nexus between them.

The Innovations in Water and Energy Law & Policy Fellowship, initiated in 2010 by partners of the law firm of Moses, Wittemyer, Harrison and Woodruff, P.C. in honor David L. Harrison (Law ‘71), is awarded each year to a Colorado Law student on the basis of academic performance, commitment to public service, and interest in the study of water and energy law and policy. To the extent practicable, each Harrison Fellow will focus on a specific project where the partner organization is advancing innovative solutions for sustainable management of water or related energy resources outside the United States.

Harrison Fellows will serve for no less than eight (8) weeks during the summer with a qualifying organization and will be provided a stipend as set forth below. The Fellow will produce a report on the relevant subject matter, where permitted by the host organization, and present the results of their work at a seminar hosted by the GWC.

Eligible Colorado Law students may apply for Harrison Fellowship funding for summer unpaid or underpaid internships (less than $500 per week) with a qualifying organization (a 501c3 or other non-governmental organization), involved in international conservation, water and/or related energy issues. Organizations may not use the availability of the stipend to eliminate or reduce originally offered or attached compensation.

Eligibility

The summer Fellowship will be open to currently enrolled University of Colorado Law School students who will continue to be Colorado Law students returning in the fall, including current 1L, 2L, and LLM students.

Program Overview, Benefits, and Application Process Available Here

Now accepting applications through Friday, February 9, 2024

Information Session

The GWC will host an information session to provide an overview of the program and answer questions about the application process. The information session will include a presentation by the 2023 Harrison Fellow, Ella Merrill. Ella will report on her work as a Harrison Fellow with the UN.

Contact Information

For further information, please feel free to contact GWC Program Coordinator, Annie Carlozzi at annie.carlozzi@colorado.edu or 303-492-1286

The Roger Klein Scholarship in Water Law

Established on November 4, 2011, at the Weld Community Foundation by his friends and colleagues, the Roger Klein Scholarship is awarded to a second or third year student who demonstrates an interest and aptitude in water law.  Roger Klein (’67) served for many years as the Judge of Water Court Division One.

Students must submit a cover letter indicating they are applying for the Roger Klein Scholarship, enclosing a resume, current transcript and essay indicating why they are deserving of the scholarship directly to:

Rand E. Morgan, President
Weld Community Foundation
2425 35th Ave., Ste. 201
Greeley, CO  80634

The current application period is now closed.

General Scholarship and Fellowship Information

Information on Colorado Law Scholarship and Fellowship opportunities can be found at the link below:

Scholarships and Fellowships

Colorado Law Students

The Getches-Wilkinson Center regularly hires current law students as Research Assistants and Student Fellows to be assigned to specific ongoing projects under the Center. Research Assistants/Fellows gain greater understanding of environmental law, as well as develop research and writing skills. For more information about positions for the, please e-mail us at gwc@colorado.edu.