The Law and Justice Foundation of NSW has opened applications for the third year of its Justice Fellowship program, inviting practitioners and sector professionals across NSW to propose a project examining a current access to justice issue – and to take the time to explore it in detail.
Justice Fellowships are designed to give experienced professionals something the daily demands of practice rarely allow: sustained time and structured support to investigate a pressing justice question in depth. Each Fellow receives a $10,000 grant and guidance from Foundation staff to develop a substantial output – one capable of influencing policy, reform, sector practice, or public discussion. Applications close at 10am on 1 May 2026.
What two cohorts have shown
The program is in its third year, and the outputs from the inaugural 2024 cohort already demonstrate its range. Will Cesta examined liability considerations for legal innovators developing autonomous legal applications using AI. Arlia Fleming investigated how language in legal proceedings affects victim-survivors of domestic and family violence. Patricia Vagg centred the voices of people in the Western Division of NSW to build a collective narrative about access to justice in rural and remote communities. Dr Amee Baird explored how people living with dementia experience the justice system – work she has since taken to conferences, presenting her findings to practitioners and researchers across the sector.
The 2025 cohort, currently underway, are also delving into a wide range of topics: from AI adoption in community legal centres (Vijhai Grayan) and economic abuse law reform (Claudia Robinson), to out-of-court discrimination settlements (Regina Featherstone), non-consensual medical interventions on intersex children (Alastair Lawrie), and the legacy of First Nations Matriarchal advocacy in NSW (Professor Teela Reid). Reid’s Fellowship will culminate in an exhibition – a format that speaks directly to her project’s aim of amplifying First Nations notions of justice beyond the boundaries of western legal structures.
Broader formats invited for 2026
The program has always allowed for outputs beyond the written paper. For example, Teela Reid’s 2025 project will culminate in an exhibition. In 2026, the Foundation is making that invitation explicit.
“Two cohorts of Fellows have shown us that rigorous, impactful work can take many forms” said Olivia Nguy, Director of the Law and Justice Foundation of NSW. “This year, we want applicants to consider carefully which form will communicate their Fellowship findings most effectively to the sector.”
Fellows produce outputs equivalent to 10,000 to 30,000 words in scope, published through the Justice Ideas series, with alternative formats negotiated directly with the Foundation.
Who can apply
Fellowships are open to professionals working in government, private, and non-government organisations across NSW – including legal, community, advocacy, social justice, and policy-adjacent roles. The Foundation is not accepting applications from academics undertaking the Fellowship as part of paid university employment, or from current PhD candidates.
Applications close at 10am on 1 May 2026. Find full details and the online application. Enquiries to [email protected].