AALS Section on Legal Writing, Reasoning, and Research
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Louisiana State University Law Center

Funding and Awards

For

Legal Research & Writing Projects

ALWD Summer Scholarship Grant Program. 

The Association of Legal Writing Directors awards grants to full-time teachers of legal research and writing to enable LRW faculty to spend the summer exploring scholarly areas of interest.  In the past, awards have been between $2,000 and $5,000.  The deadline for applications is February 1 of the year for which the grant is awarded.  More information is available at http://www.alwd.org/

ALWD Conference:  Funding to Attend

The Association of Legal Writing Directors provides some funding to directors of legal writing programs who will be attending the ALWD biennial conference.  Directors who wish to attend the conference can apply for three types of grants:  (1) a full grant, (2) a waiver of the registration fee, or (3) a deferral of the registration fee.  Applications are due the spring before the conference.  More information is available at http://www.alwd.org/ 

Legal Writing Institute Conference:  Funding to Attend

The Legal Writing Institute provides funding for legal writing teachers to attend their biennial conference.  Applications are due in January of the same year as the conference.  More information is available at http://www.lwionline.org/activities/conferences.asp/

Fulbright Scholarships

Fulbright Scholarships are available to lecture and research in countries around the world.  Each country establishes the time period for its grants.  If applying to the Traditional Fulbright Scholar Program, the grant periods are usually for one year and follow the academic calendar of the host country.  Shorter visits (ranging from two to six weeks) are available through the Fulbright Senior Specialist Program.  Stipends vary, but they generally cover travel and living costs in the host country.  Further information about each program is available at http://www.cies.org/us_scholars/

Registries of Grants and Other Funding Sources

·        Law and Legal Information Directory 383-433 (16th ed., Thomson Gale 2005).  This print reference lists a wide range of prizes, awards, scholarships, and grants that are available to people in the legal field.  Published annually. 

·        The Foundation Directory (27th ed., The Foundation Center 2005).  This registry is also available on Westlaw in the “Foun-Dir” database.  For more information about grant seeking generally and about The Foundation Center’s publications, you can go to http://fdncenter.org/learn/faqs/. 

·        Foundation Grants to Individuals (12th ed., The Foundation Center 2001).  For relevant listings, see especially the section on “Research and Professional Support.”  

·        The Grants Register:  The Complete Guide to Postgraduate Funding Worldwide (24th ed., Palgrave Macmillan 2005).  For relevant listings, see especially subject index entries “Education and Teacher Training” and “Law.”  

·        National Guide to Funding in Arts and Culture (6th ed. The Foundation Center 2000).  For relevant listings, see especially subject index entries “Education,” “Law,” and “Law school/education.” 

AWARDS 

AALS Call for Scholarly Papers

Each year the American Association of Law Schools solicits papers from new law faculty.  “New” is defined as teaching at an AALS school for seven or fewer years.  The deadline for submission is in August.  Winning papers may be distributed and the author invited to speak at the AALS annual meeting.  Please note:  No funds are awarded.  Additional details are available at http://aals.org.cnchost.com/events_annualmeeting.php

Burton Awards 

The Burton Award for Outstanding Contributions to Legal Writing Education is given annually to an individual or group that has made an outstanding contribution to the education of new lawyers in the field of legal analysis, research, and writing, through teaching, program design, program support, innovative thinking, or writing.  Nominees for the award are solicited from members of the Association of Legal Writing Directors.  More information is available at http://www.burtonawards.com 

Golden Pen Award

The Legal Writing Institute annually awards a Golden Pen Award to an individual or a group who has significantly advanced the cause of better legal writing.  Normally, the award is given to someone who is not an active member of the Legal Writing Institute.  Any member of the Institute may nominate a recipient.  Nominations are due by July 1 of each year.  More information is available at http://www.lwionline.org 

Scribes Book Award  

Scribes presents an annual award for the best work of legal scholarship published during the previous year.  The Scribes Book Award Committee receives between 30 and 40 nominees each year.  The Scribes Book Award is presented at the Scribes luncheon, during the ABA annual meeting.  More information is available at www.scribes.org

Thomas F. Blackwell Award (LWI & ALWD)

The Legal Writing Institute and the Association of Legal Writing Directors give this award to recognize a person who has made an outstanding contribution to improve the field of Legal Writing by demonstrating the ability to nurture and motivate students to excellence, willingness to help other Legal Writing educators improve their teaching skills or their Legal Writing Programs, and the ability to create and integrate new ideas for teaching and motivating Legal Writing educators and students.  The award is presented at the annual January meeting of the American Association of Law Schools.  Nominations should be made before July 31st of the year preceding the January presentation.  More information is available at http://www.alwd.org