There are a few databases that provide information on funding (grants, fellowships, internships, etc).

Canadian Directory of Foundations and Corporations

Click on: http://www.osgoode.yorku.ca/research/funding_opportunities.html

PSLawNet National Summer Funding Sources

Located on the PSLawNet website is a page dedicated to public interest bursaries, stipends, honorariums etc. that are designed to help the student who is interested in pursuing social justice initiatives throughout their career. Click on PSLawNet National Summer Funding Sources for more information.

Information Booklet on Funding Internships

Please click here: Internships Memo.

Ian Scott Public Interest Internship Program

Osgoode Hall Law School has a successful program for funding students interested in careers in social justice.  The Ian Scott Public Interest Internship Programs is available to students who attain summer employment at a public interest organization such as a legal aid clinic, advocacy organization, non-governmental organization or volunteer opportunities through Pro Bono Students Canada or other similar opportunities.   Preference will be given to a student who is working unpaid or underpaid.   Recipients must demonstrate consistent high academic achievement and financial need.  

For information about projects completed by previous Osgoode students, please read the Ian Scott Public Interest Internship Program Memo.

Students are required to:

•  Initiate discussions with eligible organizations;

•  work with an organization to design a project that is in the public interest;

•  prepare and submit a formal proposal that describes the project; and

•  ensure the organization submits a letter of support for the student's participation in the project

Please provide the information above by filling out the Application Form for the summer of 2010, and handing it in with supporting materials, to the attention of Mya Bulwa, Director of Career Services, Room S809, by 4:00 PM on Monday March 1, 2010 .

The award is intended to provide financial support to a student working in social justice in the summer.

Who is eligible?    Students entering their second or third year of the Osgoode LL.B. program, or entering their second, third or fourth year of a joint Osgoode degree program.   A student who has committed to at least 10 weeks of full time work in a position that is unpaid, or underpaid.

Due date:                All completed applications must be at the Career Services Office by March 1, 2010.   Students must submit 2 copies of their proposal by the due date. 

Funding:                 Students may be eligible to receive between $1,000 up to $10,000 depending on whether the student is underpaid, or unpaid.

Requirements:     Students must submit a two-page report on their experiences to the Career Services Office by the end of September, the same year.  

Application:           Complete applications will include: a description of the project, the letter of support from the organization, a resume, undergraduate and law school transcripts; and the formal application form. The transcripts should be a photocopy of your original official transcripts - you do not need to submit the original.

Selection:               Selection of the student and their project will be done by a three-person committee involving the Director of Career Services, the Director of Student Financial Services, and another member of administration.  

Criteria:                  Students will be selected on the basis of their proposal; their demonstrated commitment to social justice; extra-curricular and volunteer experiences; academic performance; and financial need.

Please note: students will be selected on the basis of their proposal; their demonstrated commitment to social justice; extra-curricular and volunteer experiences; academic performance; and financial need.

Submit two copies of your completed application to the Career Services Office, Room S809, to the attention of Mya Bulwa by 4:00 PM on Monday March 1, 2010.

Law Foundation of Ontario [LFO Debt Repayment Assistance Program [D-RAP]

Funded by: Law Foundation of Ontario

The Program:

The Debt Repayment Assistance Program [D-RAP] was developed as a collaborative initiative among all of the Ontario law schools to provide law students and recent graduates with enhanced access to legal careers in public interest law.  Law students who are interested in public interest law careers sometimes cannot or choose not to pursue such careers because of the debt they have accumulated during their education, and difficulty servicing that debt on the salaries public interest organizations can afford to pay.

D-RAP offers selected recent law school graduates from each Ontario law school who are pursuing careers in public interest law additional financial assistance for meeting their educational debt repayment obligations.  It is anticipated that this financial assistance will thereby encourage students to pursue and maintain a longer term career with organizations that engage in public interest law in Ontario. By providing assistance to law graduates who make a commitment to public interest careers, it is hoped that this Program will build a stronger pool of talented and dedicated lawyers in Ontario, and therefore enhance the accessibility and quality of legal services provided to the public.

Graduating students who are selected to receive debt repayment assistance will each receive $5,000 biannually for each of three years.  Each graduate, therefore, may receive up to $30,000 over the three year period.

For more information on selection criteria and applications, visit the Financial Services website:

http://www.osgoode.yorku.ca/financial_services/departing_students.html