Since its founding in 2001, the Foundation for Advancement of Diversity in IP Law has awarded over $2,500,000 in scholarships to law school students from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups with an interest in exploring a career in IP law. The Foundation’s current programs continue this tradition of providing support for individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups with recognition programs that focus on IP-law career readiness and career opportunities.
Sidney B. Williams, Jr Scholar Program
For nearly two decades, the Sidney B. Williams, Jr. Scholar Program has provided financial support for students who are members of underrepresented racial and ethnic groups and who are exploring a career in IP law. Today, this program offers expanded support for STEM-educated individuals in efforts to secure a legal education and prepare for a career in patent law. It now offers counseling support, internship and clerkship assistance, and assistance securing membership in the patent bar. Scholars engage with experts and leaders in the patent law field during the law school admissions process and throughout their law school experience.
You can learn more about the Sidney B. Williams, Jr. Scholar Program, including how you can become a part of this program by becoming a Scholar through the following links:
Detailed Sidney B. Williams, Jr. Scholar Program Description and Scholar Application Information
One-Page PDF Summary-Sidney B. Williams, Jr. Scholar Program
Jan Jancin and AIPLA Past Presidents Awards
The Jan Jancin Award, and its companion American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) Past Presidents Award, recognize second and third year law students who identify as a member of an underrepresented racial or ethnic group within the IP law profession and who have made an outstanding contribution to an area of IP law or practice during their legal education.
Learn more about the Jan Jancin and AIPLA Past Presidents Awards
Society of Sidney B. Williams, Jr. Scholars
Since its inception, the Foundation has recognized and supported more than 140 Sidney B. Williams, Jr. Scholars. Our Society of Sidney B. Williams, Jr. Scholars includes some of the most distinguished members of the IP law profession, including Scholars who have continued to actively support the work of the Foundation. We welcome you to meet our Scholars, past and present, though the following link