2020 Measuring Impacts and Progress Call for Applications

Applying for a grant: what you need to know

About

Eligibility

Criteria

Grant amount

Application and deadline

Before you apply

More information

About

This call is now closed.

The Law Foundation of Ontario invites applications to apply for a 2020 Measuring Impacts and Progress grant, through our Strategic granting program.

The purpose of the 2020 Measuring Impacts and Progress granting is to build the knowledge that will improve justice system services for the people of Ontario. The first method is to support research or activities that address making improvements in the use of data in the justice system. The second is to support empirical research that will help improve how the justice system serves the people of Ontario. This granting stream highlights the Foundation’s objective of expanding knowledge: “We continually deepen our knowledge of access to justice, including the contribution of community organizations. We are committed to share our knowledge of what is happening and what works”.

The Foundation is aware that several definitions of empirical research/investigations exist. As a general matter, we are looking for research that is based on observed and measured phenomena and derives knowledge from actual experience rather than from theory or belief. Tied into the idea of “empirical research” is the scientific method of working or testing a hypothesis through observation and experiment. Empirical investigations use quantitative data, which is when you analyze numerical data, or qualitative data, which is when you use non-numerical data such as observations and interviews.

What's our Strategic program? Learn more.

Eligibility

The Law Foundation of Ontario makes grants to advance access to justice. Grants are made to nonprofit organizations that work to benefit the people of Ontario.

In appropriate cases, for the purposes of this call, the Foundation will consider applications that include government, government agencies, legal aid organizations, courts, and tribunals. The Foundation does not provide funding to individuals or to for-profit ventures.

Criteria

A Measuring Impacts and Progress grant must support access to justice and fit within the Foundation’s mandate and be consistent with the Foundation’s mission and vision.

a) Metrics and data

Preference will be given to activities that address one, some, or all of the following questions:

Are data and metrics important to understanding the justice system? Why or why not?
What are appropriate metrics for measuring justice system performance?
How can we increase data literacy among justice actors?
What steps do we need to take to improve data in the sector?
What data do we have currently and who holds it? How can we make this more transparent to the public and others, such as researchers or policymakers?
What is the quality of that data and how can it be improved?
What other data do we need?
Who wants access to the data and for what purposes?
What are the barriers to accessing and sharing data? Are these barriers proportionate given other concerns such as privacy or institutional roles? How can barriers be addressed?
What are the limitations to using data to measure justice system performance? What else do we need to look to?
What is an ethical approach to establishing justice system metrics, data collection, and use? What issues and whose interests should be considered? Privacy? Control over personal data? Purposes for, and participants in, determining questions asked and data collected?
What can we learn from how other sectors such as health, education, and social services approach these issues?

Applications can approach these issues through a range of activities including:

Research
Toolkits for data holders, researchers, and members of the public that improve the way that data is collected, used, and shared
Transparency mechanisms that inform the public, researchers, and others about what data is being held, how it is being shared, and how it can be accessed by others
Knowledge mobilization
Pilot projects, particularly collaboratives, that aim to improve how data is being collected, used, and shared, with appropriate evaluation embedded

b) Empirical research

Preference will be given to applications that address the following research issues:

Provides answers to research questions related to which legal information, services, and/or dispute resolution mechanisms make a difference or work best and how they can be improved
Explores the experiences of people who have engaged with the justice system and the impact of justice system outcomes on them
Examines justice system experiences and impacts on diverse individuals and communities
Mobilizes research and knowledge to lead to improvements in the justice system’s operation
Builds knowledge through interdisciplinary and/or cross - sector perspectives
Supports innovative approaches to research that builds on the skills of diverse scholars, institutions, or disciplines
Builds partnerships with the nonprofit sector

Grant amount

The Foundation will accept applications for between $50,000 and $100,000. Where the application constitutes a novel or breakthrough innovation that could dramatically improve access to justice and justice sector performance, the Foundation will consider an application for up to $250,000.

Applicants should ensure that the specific amount requested reflects a demonstrated need for the activities and a reasonable budget for the same.

Where the applicant is applying for a research grant and is a post-secondary institution or where the applicant partners with a post-secondary institution, the costs with respect to the post-secondary institution should reflect those generally paid for academic research grants (e.g. see SSHRC eligible costs).

Application and deadline

Before you apply

More information

Frequently asked questions

Eligibility to apply

Do we have to be a registered charity in order to apply for a grant?

No, you need only be a nonprofit corporation, university, or community college. In appropriate cases, for the purposes of this call, the Foundation will consider applications that include government, government agencies, legal aid organizations, courts, and tribunals. The Foundation does not provide funding to individuals or to for-profit ventures.

If you are a nonprofit with charitable status, please include your registered charity number on your application.

Can an individual apply for a grant?

Can an unincorporated committee apply for a grant?

Does a proposed project have to benefit more than one geographic community in order to meet the Foundation’s requirement to “provide a benefit to Ontario”?

Can an organization outside Ontario apply to the Foundation for a grant?

What does the Foundation mean by “empirical research”?

Several definitions of empirical research/investigations exist. As a general matter, we are looking for research that is based on observed and measured phenomena and derives knowledge from actual experience rather than from theory or belief. Tied into the idea of “empirical research” is the scientific method of working or testing a hypothesis through observation and experiment. Empirical investigations use quantitative data, which is when you analyze numerical data, or qualitative data, which is when you use non-numerical data such as observations and interviews.

We want to apply for a grant jointly with another organization – can we do this?

How do I ensure my project is consistent with the Foundation’s mandate and priorities?

We are interested in doing a project that does not include any legal content. Is this acceptable?

Application process

Do you have a fixed amount of available funding that is allocated to specific geographic regions?

Do you require an applicant to find funding from other sources?

If we have identified other potential funders for our project idea, do you require us to provide confirmation of their commitment before you will consider our application to you?

Do you require an applicant to have other partners involved in the implementation of the project?

No. However, we do encourage partnerships and applications that engage across sectors (e.g. community organizations with trusted intermediaries, legal organizations prepared to collaborate, support and, if appropriate, supervise work, academics, and evaluators to design and oversee/implement an evaluation) will be preferred. If, in your application, you indicate the intent to partner with another organization, you should include a letter of commitment from the partner(s).

Is there a limit on the number of applications we can make to the Foundation?

Can we apply for projects that will last longer than a year?

Eligible costs

Will you fund core operating costs associated with a project? If so, do you fund on the basis of a set percentage of total project costs?

I understand that the Foundation will not fund capital expenditures. Are office furniture or computer equipment considered to be capital expenditures?

We would like to bring a test case. Can we apply to the Foundation for funding?

We would like to lobby government to make needed changes to the legislative and policy environment surrounding our legal issue. Can we apply to the Foundation for funding?

University/college applications

I am a faculty member at a law school and am aware that the Foundation makes annual grants to law schools. Am I still eligible to apply for a grant?

I am a faculty member at an Ontario university and would like to apply to you for a research project. Does the Foundation require institutional sign-off on the application?

What post-secondary institution costs will be covered?

In order to carry out a research project, I will need two course releases. Can I include the cost of a replacement instructor to cover my course releases?

Do you fund “indirect costs” which are applied to grants by my university/college?

Can development officers contact the Foundation to discuss potential or ongoing grant applications on behalf of researchers?

After a grant application is approved

Our grant application has been approved – what happens next?

What is the payment schedule?

The payment schedule is developed taking into consideration the information provided in the work plan included in the grant application, and often also in consultation with the grantee. In general, the Foundation makes payments in advance, in accordance with each grantee’s needs, and subject to any special conditions of approval being met. The Foundation makes every effort to accommodate special requirements (for instance, where significant expenses have to be incurred at an early stage of the project). For all projects, the final payment is a hold-back instalment (typically 10% of the total grant) that is paid out on receipt of the final report.

What are your reporting requirements?

All grantees are required to submit written activity reports, as well as budget-to-actual financial reports, over the course of the project. A full final report is required in order to receive payment of the final grant instalment. Instalment payments are always conditional upon receipt of required reports, in accordance with the schedule established between the Foundation and the grantee. The timing and frequency of reporting is tailored to the circumstances of each project. Visit our Reporting guidelines webpage for more information about reporting requirements.

Introduction