[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 47 (Thursday, March 10, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-5481]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: March 10, 1994]


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LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION

 

Funding Availability for Law School Civil Clinical Programs

AGENCY: Legal Services Corporation.

ACTION: Announcement of funding.

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SUMMARY: The Legal Services Corporation (LSC or Corporation) is 
accepting applications for its eleventh consecutive Law School Civil 
Clinical Program (LSCCP) grant competition. The purpose of this grant 
competition is to expand relationships between legal services programs 
and law schools in meeting the challenges of equal access to justice. 
Proposed activities for the 1994-95 LSCCP must demonstrate a high 
degree of collaboration between law schools and legal services programs 
to meet the legal needs of low-income persons. For academic year 1994-
95, Congress has appropriated $1.402 million for law school clinics.
    All grants will be awarded pursuant to the authority conferred on 
LSC by Section 1006(a)(1)(B) and 1006(a)(3) ((42 U.S.C. 2996e(a)(1)) of 
the Legal Services Corporation Act of 1974, as amended (LSC Act). 
Grants funds for the 1994-95 LSCCP will be distributed on a one-time, 
non-recurring basis. Grant awards will be made in amounts of up to 
$100,000, however, LSC may consider larger grants under exceptional 
circumstances. Grant terms will be for a period of one year and grant 
activities must commence by September 30, 1994.

DATES: Grant proposals must be received by the Office of Program 
Services by 5:00 p.m. (EST) on April 18, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Law School Civil Clinical Program, Office of Program 
Services (Attn: Janice P. White), Legal Services Corporation, 750 First 
Street, NE., 11th Floor, Washington, DC 20002-4250.

FOR APPLICATIONS OR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Leslie Q. Russell, 
Manager, or Janice P. White, Assistant to Manager, Program Support and 
Technical Assistance Division, Office of Program Services, (202) 336-
8908.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Since 1984, the Corporation has conducted a 
law school clinical grant competition. LSC believes that new and 
innovative collaborative approaches must be developed to meet the 
challenges of equal access to justice in the 1990's. Thus, LSC has 
enhanced the scope of the 1994-95 law school clinical program.
    The broad goals of the 1994-95 LSCCP are to:
    1. Increase collaboration between law schools and legal services 
programs;
    2. Encourage law schools to become more involved in addressing the 
legal problems of the poor; and
    3. Develop among law students an awareness of legal issues 
affecting low-income people and appropriate advocacy skills to address 
those issues.
    The 1994-95 LSCCP will be administered under three (3) new 
categories. They are: (1) Teaching Sabbaticals; (2) Legal Services 
Summer Fellowships; and (3) Innovative Clinical Programs.
    Under the Teaching Sabbatical category, the Corporation encourages 
legal services program attorneys to serve as full-time clinic 
instructors for law students in a law school clinical program for at 
least one quarter or one semester, but for no longer than one academic 
year.
    Under the Legal Services Summer Fellowships category, the 
Corporation is interested in the establishment of a fellowship program 
in which law students would be placed in a legal services program for a 
summer with appropriate training and supervision, while also receiving 
academic credit or fulfilling law school pro bono requirements.
    LSC recognizes that many ideas could improve the law school's 
relationship with the legal services community, but may not fit into 
the above categories. Thus, under the Innovative Clinical Programs 
category, the Corporation encourages new and innovative approaches to 
legal services delivery that are not currently being provided by law 
school clinics or legal services programs. These innovative projects 
must show a close collaboration between the law school clinic and the 
legal services program. Such programs could be on either a local, state 
or national level.
    Eligibility: (1) All law schools and consortia of law schools that 
are currently accredited by the American Bar Association or accredited 
for purposes of bar admission by the state bar associations of the 
states in which the law schools are located are eligible to apply; (2) 
any LSC-funded legal services program is eligible to apply; (3) any 
501(c)(3) organization with the capability to oversee a summer 
fellowship program is eligible to apply; (4) no 1994-95 LSCCP grant 
funds, in any category, may be used to fund conferences or research 
projects. This limitation does not restrict use of grant funds for 
meetings or trainings necessary to support a project, nor does it 
restrict funds being used for research related to representation or 
advocacy on behalf of eligible clients; and (5) the application should 
demonstrate that existing law school or legal services program support 
for law school clinical efforts will be continued, and that any LSC 
funds granted will be used solely for new or expanded operations.
    Awards Process: Grant proposals will be carefully evaluated by an 
advisory panel of peer reviewers from the law school community, the 
legal services community, and LSC staff. Awards will be based on the 
merit of the proposal and the extent to which it meets the goals of the 
LSCCP. An applicant may submit a grant proposal for one category only.
    The following selection criteria will be used to conduct the 
review:

1. Collaboration With Legal Services Programs

    The applicant should detail the proposed working relationship 
between the law school clinic and the legal services program that will 
be involved in the project.

2. Project Goals and Objectives

    The applicant should set forth the project's goals and objectives 
which will be reviewed in terms of the quality of the proposed project, 
evidence of the client need to be served, and the long term benefits to 
the organization and the legal services community.

3. Applicant's Capability to Accomplish Objectives

    The applicant should detail its structure and staffing, past 
history with similar activities, and other work on behalf of the low-
income eligible client community.

4. Community Involvement and Support

    The applicant should state how the proposed activity will 
complement existing legal services delivery provided in its area.

5. Project Feasibility

    The applicant should address the reasonableness of the proposed 
costs in terms of the benefits to be derived and the relationship to 
the project's overall goals.

    Dated: March 4, 1994.
Charles T. Moses, III,
Deputy Director, Office of Program Services.
[FR Doc. 94-5481 Filed 3-9-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7050-01-D