The Center for Water Security and Cooperation (CWSC) and The Water Collaborative (TWC) have launched a new fellowship that invites second-year law students to take on big questions and explore bold ideas at the heart of water law and policy. The CWSC, a global Washington D.C. based nonprofit, and the Water Collaborative, a New Orleans based community organization, have teamed up to provide this unique opportunity to be embedded in the day-to-day work of these two organizations. Fellows will help re-imagine how water and the communities whose lives and livelihoods rely on it can be collectively protected and managed in the Mississippi River watershed.

The Fellowship offers:

Working on issues that matter.

• Exposure to real-world legal and policy issues affecting water protection and management, public health, and equitable and transparent governance across a multi-state watershed.

• Opportunities to work on cutting-edge issues that will define the future of the watershed and its communities.

Mentorship and collaboration with legal and community experts.

• Opportunities to work closely with lawyers, impacted community members and groups, policy professionals, subject-matter experts, and others.

• Insight into career paths in water and environmental law.

Skill development.

• Development of research, writing, networking, and communication skills for different audiences.

• Exposure to different perspectives and approaches.

Fellowship Details:

Duration: 10 weeks

Start date: Monday June 1, 2026

End date: Friday August 7, 2026

Location: remote

Compensation: $10,000 stipend

Travel stipend: Limited money may be available for relevant travel.

Eligibility:

• Enrolled in a law school within the Mississippi River corridor states

• Completed at least 2 years or 52 credits of coursework preferred

• Interested in practicing law in the Mississippi River watershed post-graduation

• Passionate about a career in water law

Responsibilities:

• Conduct legal research on key water law and policy issues affecting watershed communities (e.g. water quality, water management, drinking water, local and state governance)

• Contribute to internal and external publications, presentations, briefing and strategy materials

• Translate complex legal concepts into accessible language for interdisciplinary or non-legal audiences

• Deliver high quality work products on time and respond to feedback

• Work closely with CWSC and TWC staff

• Attend internal and external meetings, webinars, or convenings to learn, observe, and engage

• Engage respectfully with community members and groups and partners

• Communicate regularly with supervisors regarding progress, challenges, questions, and deliverables

Application Materials:
To apply for this Fellowship, please provide the following application materials:

1. Cover Letter: Explain your interest in the Fellowship, your experience with water issues
   (or if you have not had experience to date, why you want that experience), and how this
   Fellowship aligns with your overall career goals and/or plans.

   
   

2. Answer these questions using no more than 250 words per question.
   a. Question #1: How does your connection to the Mississippi River
   watershed–academic, professional, or personal–shape your interest in this
   fellowship?
   b. Question #2: What do you see as one of the most pressing water-related legal or
   policy challenges facing the Mississippi River watershed today, and why? Where
   do you see tension or opportunity?

   
   

3. Resume: Include relevant work experience or coursework.

   
   

4. Law school transcript.

   
   

5. Two references.

   
   

Please submit these materials to MSRfellowship@thecwsc.org.

Deadline to apply: March 31, 2026