The Law Foundation’s Legal Research Fund supports research projects that aim to advance access to justice for people and communities in British Columbia. Eligible grant-seekers can apply for up to $25,000 to support research that has the potential to advance knowledge related to law, social policy, and the administration of justice. The Foundation encourages applications where the proposed research has the potential to promote inclusion and meaningful responses to ongoing harms to equity-denied people and communities through the legal system.
Who Can Apply
The Fund is open to:
- Members of the Law Faculties at Thompson Rivers University, the University of British Columbia, and the University of Victoria, as long as the application is submitted with the express approval of their Dean.
- Members of other faculties in British Columbia, as long as the research is law-related and the application is submitted with the express approval of their Dean.
- Members of the legal profession in British Columbia who can demonstrate they have the background, interests and capacity to carry out legal research.
- Non-profit organizations with expertise in carrying out legal research.
Please note that a person who is a current recipient of a Graduate Fellowship from the Foundation is ineligible to receive a concurrent grant from the Legal Research Fund.
The Foundation seeks proposals for one-time legal research projects
To be eligible for funding, a project must fall within the Foundation’s legal research mandate objectives of advancing the knowledge of law, social policy and the administration of justice.
The Foundation encourages applications where the proposed research could reasonably be expected to have a practical impact in improving access to justice for people and communities in British Columbia. This could include, but is not limited to:
- Research related to Indigenous Law and access to justice;
- Research which identifies legal needs in the context of access to justice;
- Research which identifies what works in addressing specific legal needs in the context of access to justice;
- Research which identifies practical pathways to improving access to justice;
- Research related to Family Law and access to justice.
The Foundation is committed to strengthening structural inclusion and systemic access to justice and advancing the public interest through justice initiatives. The Foundation encourages applications and projects from under-served and equity-denied groups.
Grant Amount
The maximum amount available for each project is $25,000.
Call For Applications And Deadline
The Legal Research Fund Applications are now closed.
Please send any questions you may have about the Legal Research Fund to fellowshipsandresearch[at]lawfoundationbc.org 
.