Launching careers in environmental law
The Hubbell Environmental Law Initiative (HELI) is supporting Iowa Law students pursuing impactful careers in environmental law through its Summer Grant Program. The 2026 cohort will work with nationally recognized environmental and public interest organizations across the country, gaining hands-on experience in litigation, advocacy, conservation, environmental justice, and policy development.
Summer experiential learning is an important step in the law school experience where students can continue building their network and learn from experts in the field. These early professional experiences serve as stepping stones for future success, fostering exploration and opportunity.
By reducing financial barriers to unpaid public interest work, HELI’s Summer Grant Program enables students to pursue transformative experiential learning opportunities while building professional networks and practical legal skills that will shape their future careers.
This year’s cohort will work with organizations advancing environmental advocacy, conservation, climate justice, and public interest law across the Midwest, Washington D.C., California, and internationally. Students will be working with the following organizations in public interest or public service roles:
- Sierra Club (National)
- Indigenous Peoples' Rights International
- The Nature Conservancy
- Sierra Club (Iowa)
- Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER)
- Missouri Coalition for the Environment
- Iowa Environmental Council
Meet the 2026 summer grant cohort
Gratitude to our donors
Through initiatives like the Summer Grant Program, HELI continues expanding opportunities for Iowa Law students to engage directly with the evolving field of environmental law. By connecting students with influential organizations and meaningful experiential learning, the program reflects HELI’s broader commitment to preparing the next generation of environmental lawyers, advocates, and policy leaders.