Harvard Law School is fortunate to have funding to enable students with serious individual research and independent clinical projects (i.e., those not part of a clinical course) to spend time abroad during the winter term. In a typical winter, HLS supports more than 75 students carrying out such work in some 35 nations; in addition, over the years the Law School has supported scores of other students taking courses that entailed spending time abroad in the winter term.
Students applying for funding to support individual research / writing and independent clinical projects will be awarded funding based on the quality of the application they present to the Law School’s grant selection committee, and applications must include a letter from the student’s faculty advisor.
It would be very helpful if any recommendations you provide are as detailed as possible about the substance of the project and the student’s capacity to carry it out in the time allotted. Information about the winter term international travel grant program can be found on the International Legal Studies webpage, at this link. In addition, some research programs offer funding for winter term travel and have their own application processes (of which students are notified). Typically, the expectation (of a serious letter of recommendation) will be the same.
Details:
HLS J.D. and LL.M. students may apply to participate in a two-credit independent clinical during Winter Term, which involves working 40 hours per week under the supervision of an on-site attorney and in coordination with an HLS faculty sponsor.
To be eligible for credit, Winter Term projects must meet HLS’ criteria for an independent clinical placement. For more information, please see the Office of Clinical and Pro Bono Program’s web page about Independent Clinicals.