The ABA Law Student Division, through its Grant Program, provides financial and program support to student organizations of ABA-approved law schools to establish first-time programs and other activities that emphasize diversity, ethics, professionalism training, law student mental health and wellness, veterans advocacy and public interest/service activities.

The Grant Program is designed to assist law student organizations that implement new programs. By helping student groups achieve a successful first-time event, the Grant Program anticipates that a law school dean, student bar association, or other organization will thereafter find financial support for the event in successive years. The Grant Fund is not intended to support fundraisers, to be used as a source for donating to charitable organizations or to be a source for funding student travel. ABA Law Student Division sponsored events should benefit a significant number of students. Requests for incidental costs such as travel, lodging, or other personal expenses generally do not fall within the program criteria.

Any entity or individual at an ABA-approved law school is eligible to submit a grant application. A school may submit more than one application a year. Awards will be based on the submission of well-developed proposals in accordance with the application instructions, with preference give to those that display a benefit to the community, law students, and the profession.  Because the Grant Program has a limited amount of resources, all proposals will be closely examined so funds can be disbursed to as many programs and schools as possible.  The maximum possible award allowed is $500 per application and project.

Law schools may apply for funding to conduct programs and activities taking place between September and May of each year. Applications should be submitted a minimum of four weeks prior to the date of the project. Applications must be submitted via email to the Chicago office and the Secretary-Treasurer and must contain all requisite information and accompanying materials. The Division expects that an application will have all available background detailed in the application, specific budgetary figures and detailed information to aide the committee in its review. Appropriate information to include would be the origin of the program, the purpose it seeks to fulfill, the means by which it will be accomplished, and all alternate funding that is being sought and that has been secured.

All completed applications, including budgets, will be reviewed by the Division upon submission.  Preference will be given to first time programs or projects that display a benefit to the community, law students, and the profession.  In addition to the application, the following factors may be considered:

• Detailed description of the event/activity, including origin of program, purpose of program, targeted audience, list of all planned participants/speakers (including their titles and affiliations).
• Budget – request must include a detailed budget of all anticipated expenses and projected revenue/funding.  Expenses for food (please specify) and beverage (please specify) should be detailed by per person costs.
• List all sources of funding and the amounts.  Please explain if the law school/administration will provide funding and how much.  If no funding from the school/administration has been allocated, please explain.
• Explain the necessity of funding for this program/activity.  What, if any, expenses can you eliminate if ABA Law Student Division funding is not secured?
• Have you requested or received Division funding for another activity this year or any other year?
• How will this program benefit law students, the legal profession and community?
• What is the likelihood that this program/activity will continue next year?  Please explain.
• What level of involvement does your law school/student organizations currently have in the ABA Law Student Division?
• Are your law school’s ABA Representative and SBA President ABA Law Student Division members?  If yes, to what degree are they active in the organization?
• How many ABA Law Student Division members are currently in your law school?

The application is available electronically and in pdf format.

All complete applications, including budgets, will be reviewed by the Division upon submission. Generally, notification is sent via email to the appropriate contact within two weeks of receiving the grant provided no additional information is requested by the committee.

Questions?
Please contact Division Director, Patricia Brennan and/or the Secretary/Treasurer, Mark Pascua