Research Guides: Grants for Legal Scholars: Overview

Recommendations for Getting Started

No central clearinghouse for research grants and other funding opportunities exists for law professors and clinics. This guide highlights the principal resources to consult.

Best Bet

Awards for Law School Faculty and Staff (UW-Madison Research Guide)

The law librarians at the University of Wisconsin have compiled an extensive list of awards organized by various categories, including subject matter and due date.

Legal Grant Programs

AccessLex Institute
Funds projects that have the potential to "move the needle" in legal research. Operates four grant programs, as well as an invitation-only Directed Grant program.
The Federalist Society
Funding for junior law faculty.
Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program
Offers over 400 awards for U.S. citizens to teach and conduct research around the world. Faculty can use the awards search feature to identify opportunities by country, discipline, activity type, and more.
Guggenheim Fellowships
"Midcareer" awards intended for those who have already demonstrated capacity for productive scholarship.

Funding Databases and Directories

Foundation Directory Online Professional by Candid
Profiles of over 300,000 grantmakers, including private & independent foundations, corporate foundations, U.S. federal funders, public charities, and international foundations. Search recently filed IRS Forms 990 and 990-PF by keyword, grantmaker name, location. SMU network address required.
Grants.gov
Find and apply for federal government grants. Contains information on more than 1,000 grant programs. Filter results by category, including "Law, Justice and Legal Services".
SPIN
Comprehensive database of over 40,000 sponsored funding opportunities (updated daily). SMU network address required.
The Grantsmanship Center
Information on top grantmaking foundations, community foundations, and corporate giving programs by state.

SMU Faculty URC Grants

Faculty Travel Grants
Funds travel to conferences held outside the continental United States.
Faculty Research Grants
Research grants may be used for research related expenses that do not apply to the faculty travel grant.

Federal Grant Programs

National Endowment for the Humanities
Largest federal funder of the humanities. Complete a grants quiz to identify funding opportunities appropriate for your project.
National Institute of Justice
Awards grants for research about criminal justice.
National Science Foundation
Offers grants, fellowships, and other funding opportunities that support research and education across fields of fundamental science. Encourages interdisciplinary research.

Grants for Legal Scholars: Overview