Project Development Fund

The online application form and guidance on completing it can be accessed through the left-hand menu.

The Project Development Fund (PDF) has been established by the UK Centre for Legal Education for the following purposes:

• to promote innovation and the dissemination of good practice in learning and teaching in law
• to encourage research and projects in the field of legal education
• to involve law students and their representative bodies in the promotion of teaching and learning
• to develop methods for the evaluation of effective learning and teaching
• to enable the consideration of regional differences in the learning and teaching of law
• to deliver direct benefit (for example by the provision of materials, conclusions, experience) to law teachers
• to encourage a climate of innovation and inquiry among law teachers in their approach to learning and teaching

In pursuit of these aims, funds may be used for the following purposes:

• buying out teaching or other identifiable elements of working time to release the applicant(s) to work on the project
• employment of research assistants, students or other project workers, clerical support
• travel (within the UK )
• materials and equipment
• other learning resources
• other purposes approved by the UKCLE

Project proposals should:

• contribute to the development and understanding of learning, teaching and assessment practices as indicated above
• show an appreciation of ethical conduct and not discriminate against any individual or group
• show an appreciation of existing research findings in the area and articulate how the proposed project develops ideas
• describe how the work is to be carried out and the research methodologies to be used
• present clear outcomes/deliverables (for example a report or questionnaire or learning tool that will contribute to an understanding of learning and teaching issues in law)
• set out a strategy for dissemination of the outcomes of the project
• demonstrate that project outcomes can be replicated generally in the discipline, rather than be specific to a particular institution
• set out a realistic timetable for completion
• set out a realistic budget plan for the research

Additional notes:

Projects will be expected to provide regular updates and release of funds will be determined by satisfactory progress. A member of staff at UKCLE or a UKCLE Associate will be nominated as a main point of contact for ongoing support and advice. All projects will be required to submit a final project report, which will be published by UKCLE to enable dissemination of the project’s processes and outcomes for the benefit of the wider legal education community.

Last Modified: 4 June 2010