Grant Application Info

How to Apply for a Grant

Scope of Grant Program

The US-China Legal Cooperation Fund ("the Fund") conducts a competitive grant program in semi-annual rounds, and welcomes the submission of proposals from eligible organizations.

The Fund seeks to support activities in such areas of legal cooperation as training of judges and lawyers, legal protection of human rights, administrative law, commercial law and arbitration, judicial administration, and legal aid for the poor. The Fund will consider, however, proposals in other areas of US-China legal cooperation. It is strongly interested in worthy proposals for legal cooperation that will enhance the benefits of Chinese World Trade Organization membership.

Fund grants have varied from $2,000 to $25,000. Grants will not be made for projects budgeting overhead at more than 20 percent. The Fund will not provide support for compensation of employees of a government.

Projects proposed for funding may be segments of broader programs, or they may be independent activities. In either case, they should demonstrate well-defined goals and specified completion dates. Proposals may seek funding for existing projects or for new programs. Grants by the Fund must be expended on approved purposes within the time limits specified by the Fund.

The Fund welcomes projects that enhance US-China legal cooperation, and projects that have other confirmed financial resources, and to whose accomplishment a Fund grant might make a significant difference.

Fund grants are made in US dollars on a one-payment or installment basis, depending on the specific nature of the program being funded.

Eligibility

In the spirit of the 1997 and 1998 US-China agreements on bilateral cooperation in the field of law, the Fund will accept for consideration only grant proposals jointly submitted by cooperating US and Chinese nonprofit organizations. Only projects demonstrating active participation by both the US and the Chinese applicant will be eligible for Fund support. The Fund desires that grant funds will be paid to, and accounted for by, the US applicant; however, funds may be used by either applicant, in either the United States or China.

Applicants must submit proposals in English. All proposals will become the property of the Fund, and will not be returned. The Trustees of the Fund will make decisions as to award of grants in their sole discretion. The Fund will notify applicants about the decision of the Fund's Trustees as promptly as feasible after the award date. The Fund will expect successful applicants to commence funded projects promptly after receipt of notification.

Proposal Requirements

Each proposal must include the following:

  1. Project Description

    The Project Description must not exceed five typed double-spaced pages. The Project Description must contain the following:

    • A clear and concise description of the activities for which funding is requested, and of each applicant's role in those activities;
    • A brief statement as to the current state of existing work in the field of proposed activity;
    • A clear statement of the expected uses and applications of the proposed activities, and of the professional or social contributions they will make;
    • An assurance that both the US and the Chinese applicants named in the proposal will actively participate in the project for which a grant is requested.

  2. Budget

    The Budget must show, in detail, itemized expenses for the proposed project. It must also:

    • Provide a detailed list of other funding already confirmed or pending;
    • In cases where the proposed activity is part of a larger program of activities, provide detailed information on expenses and funding sources for the "parent" project.

  3. Biographic/Background Information on Principal Participants

    The biographic/professional background statement on each principal participant should briefly show qualifications to engage in the proposed activities.

  4. Contact Information

    The contact information must include: (for a sample format see Contact Information Sheet)

    • Date of application;
    • Project title;
    • Complete contact information for both US and Chinese applicants (name, organization/affiliation, mailing address, telephone, fax, and e-mail information);
    • Designation of one of the applicants, to whom all correspondence regarding the proposal will be sent.

Reporting Requirements

All recipients of Fund grants will be required to furnish a report on the use of Fund grants at the conclusion of the supported program. The report should contain the following information: relevant background on the project; description of the activities undertaken; results of the project to include its impact on the rule of law or other aspects of Chinese legal development; brief financial report on the use of the grant funds; and any additional activities or impact that may flow from the project in the future. Brief e-mail status reports regarding significant developments, such as project delays, are encouraged.

Schedule for Grant Rounds

The submission deadlines and award dates for the next two rounds of grant awards are:

Submission Deadline Award Date
April 1, 2008 May 15, 2008
October 1, 2008 November 17, 2008

Submission Information

Projects proposed for consideration in any semi-annual round should be submitted as early as possible and no later than the deadline stated above for that round. Proposals should be addressed to the Fund and delivered, faxed, or e-mailed to one of the following addresses:

Coordinator
US-China Legal Cooperation Fund
1818 N Street, NW, Suite 200, Drawer K
Washington, DC 20036-2470 USA
Fax (US): 202-775-2476
E-mail Address: proposals@uschinalegalcoop.org

Applicants wishing to confirm receipt by the Fund of submissions should arrange for appropriate confirmation by postal or e-mail services.

Further information may be obtained by e-mail inquiry to: info@uschinalegalcoop.org, or by mail or fax to an address given above.