Bar Success Intervention Grant Program FAQs

Find answers to questions about the Bar Success Intervention Grant Program, including the application system, eligibility and process, and program guidelines and priorities. 

For questions about this grant application process, please direct them to [email protected] with the word “Question” in the subject line. 

• Application System Questions 
• Eligibility and Process Questions 
• Program Guidelines and Priorities Questions 

How do I access the online application system? 

You may access the online application system using this link. You will also find a link to the online application system on the AccessLex Center for Legal Education Excellence^® website. 

Am I required to create an account in the online application system to submit a proposal? 

Yes. All applicants must create an account in the online application system in order to submit a proposal. This is a one-time registration process. If you have created an account in the past under the same email address and wish to apply again, you will not need to create a new account. 

I previously submitted grant application materials to the online system. I am interested in submitting new materials this year. Do I need to create a new account? 

No. You will not need to create a new login and password. However, once logged in, please be sure to make any necessary updates to your contact information. 

When is the letter of inquiry (LOI) due? 

Letters of inquiry will be accepted from March 15, 2023, through April 19, 2023, (11:59 PM ET). We strongly urge applicants to begin the process as early as possible. Applications will not be accepted after the deadline. 

Can I preview the questions before I create an account? 

A PDF version is available on the website so that you can preview and prepare your questions ahead of time. 

Can I copy and paste text from a Word document into the application form? 

Yes. Please note that the application questions have character limits. After copying and pasting text from Word into the application form, proofread for any loss of information. 

What should I do if I have technical difficulties with my online application? 

If you have any technical difficulties accessing or using the online grant application, please contact [email protected] with the word “Question” in the subject line. 

How do I know if my organization is eligible? 

AccessLex will review grant proposals only from U.S.-based tax-exempt non-profit educational institutions and other non-profit and public organizations. Faculty members, practitioners, and researchers may apply for grants through their eligible affiliated organization. Please review the application policy eligibility section for the exact Internal Revenue Code tax-exempt designations. 

If I am a member of a for-profit organization, am I eligible to apply for a grant? 

No. AccessLex will not review proposals from for-profit organizations. 

How can I find my organization’s Tax ID Number (TIN)/Employer ID Number (EIN)? 

Please contact your organization’s finance office to receive your Tax ID. Your organization’s Tax ID number is a requirement for submitting an application. 

Will AccessLex accept more than one proposal from an organization or research team? 

Yes. However, no duplicate proposals should be submitted for a specific project. 

If my organization submitted a proposal to another AccessLex grant program, are we eligible to submit a proposal to the Bar Success Intervention Grant Programs? 

Yes. AccessLex will consider all proposals that fit within the scope of the grant and meet the eligibility requirements. 

I submitted my proposal, but I haven’t heard anything from AccessLex. 

Applicants should carefully follow the grant application review schedule on the website for deadlines and notifications. 

How many awards does AccessLex expect to make for the Bar Success Intervention Grant Programs? 

The number of funded proposals varies from year to year, but the process is highly competitive and only a small number of proposals are funded each year. 

Is my proposal eligible for funding through this grant? 

To be fundable for the Bar Success Intervention Grant Program, programs must: (1) have a duration of 12–24 months and seek funding in the amount of $150,000– $300,000; (2) focus on students and/or graduates most at risk of not passing the bar exam or institutions with ultimate bar examination passage rates that fall below 70%;(3) include statements of program goals and tangible and measurable objectives; and (4) include an evaluation plan. 

Proposals that do not meet the eligibility requirements will not be considered. 

If my program was funded in the past, can I reapply for funding after the grant period ends for continued funding? 

Yes. But grantees should be aware that the odds of receiving a subsequent award of grant funding are low. Therefore, grantees are encouraged to pursue funding from other sources. 

Does the program have to run for at least 12 months and for no more than 24 months? 

Yes, we believe that this is a useful timeframe for planning, implementing, and assessing a program. 

If my program is already in existence, should I provide information about it in the application? 

Yes. Existing programs are required to provide information pertaining to outcomes in the application. It is acceptable to use this data to highlight areas of needed improvement in which grant funds could help. 

What components are you looking for in the evaluation plan? 

Applicants can look for a preview of the questions on the LOI form and the Full Proposal application. Further, AccessLex encourages applicants to watch our pre-recorded webinar to learn how to create an evaluation plan for your grant proposal. All applicants invited to submit a full proposal may be required to work with an independent evaluation consultant, to be provided by AccessLex, to develop a project evaluation plan and complete the rubric. 

What types of partnerships and collaborations are you looking for in a grant proposal? 

We encourage applications from programs that display a collaborative approach and strong partnerships with other organizations to achieve the goal of improving bar passage rates among students and graduates at risk of not passing. Meaningful collaborations with and between member institutions, existing academic support programs, academic and bar success programs, and other stakeholders in law school academic success programs are acceptable. 

Can the AccessLex help facilitate partnerships and collaborations with other organizations? 

We will do our best to help facilitate collaborations and partnerships between organizations committed to enhancing access to legal education for students from diverse backgrounds. Please contact us at [email protected] if you are looking to identify partnerships and collaborations. 

What type of information are you looking for with respect to program sustainability? 

AccessLex encourages applicants to share as much information as possible with respect to sustainability, including names of current and/or prospective funders, as well as fundraising or development plans. 

What type of information are you looking for in the dissemination plan? 

AccessLex encourages applicants to describe any plans to announce receipt of the grant and/or any plans to disseminate information about program activities and participant outcomes experienced during the period of grant funding. Further, AccessLex will have the exclusive right for 30 days after any results of the grant are publicly available to publish the results, including the final report, on AccessLex Institute’s website. Further information can be found in Section 6. Publicity of the AccessLex Institute Grant Agreement template. 

Are stipends or incentives for study participants permitted as a part of the proposed budget? 

The Bar Success Intervention Grant Program are intended to support well-designed evaluations of programs and interventions aimed at helping increase bar exam passage rates among students and/or graduates most at risk of not passing. Incentives or stipends may be allowed pursuant to a well-designed proposal. 

Can AccessLex grant funds be used to fund third-party bar preparation programs or materials as part of research or intervention program design? 

Yes, but only as long as the bar preparation materials are produced by Helix Bar Review, Inc. ("Helix"), a non-profit affiliate of AccessLex. Such materials will be provided in an on in-kind (non-cash) basis. In the alternative, applicants can seek alternate funding for research components requiring use of non-Helix programs or materials. 

Are there any general tips for writing strong proposals? 

AccessLex has compiled the following recommendations that we believe will help improve future proposal submissions for all applicants: 

• Review the scope of the grant program closely to ensure that the proposed project adheres to all guidelines provided in the application policy. 
• Provide clear and complementary program goals, objectives, and outcomes. 
• Familiarize yourself with the deadlines. 
• Secure sufficient expertise in data analysis and program evaluation. 
• Conduct a final review of the application to ensure all information typed or pasted into the online application system appears accurately in the desired format and ensure that you have answered all required questions. 
• Ensure that your contact information is current to facilitate correspondence. 

More Information about the Bar Success Intervention Grant Program.