Applying for a grant
Discover which grant suits your project, what we look to fund, and the steps to a strong application.
Which grant is right for you
We currently offer a small but targeted grants program that includes Major Grants and Everyday Legal Grants. You can apply to whichever best fits your project. If you're not sure, the Grants team is happy to help you find your fit.
Both grants focus on civil law and access to justice, are open to organisations (not individuals), and may require a legal partner where your organisation doesn't have legal expertise in-house. More on that below.
Quick overview of our grants:
Major Grant
Up to $100,000
Best for:
Projects that build understanding of legal need and capability, or strengthen the Victorian justice sector's data and research capability.
Typical projects:
Researching civil legal or access to justice problems; building data capability; developing systems and processes to understand and respond to need; trialling ways to help people navigate the system.
Explore Major Grants
Everyday Legal Grant
Up to $10,000
Best for:
Projects that develop or deliver civil legal information and education, or help people navigate Victoria’s justice system.
Typical projects:
Development of legal information, resources or tools for specific communities; trial or scope new approaches or legal interventions; building on an earlier project to increase its impact.
Explore Everyday Legal Grants
What we fund
We provide funding for one-off civil legal and access to justice projects that help organisations better understand and respond to the legal needs and capabilities of Victorians.
We prioritise projects that:
- improve understanding of legal need and legal capability
- address the needs of clients and communities experiencing disadvantage in accessing justice
- strengthen the sector's ability to collect, understand, and use data
- help people understand their legal issues and find the help they need
- share findings and insights so others in the sector can benefit.
We focus on civil law and access to justice. We'll consider work at the intersection of civil and criminal law, but we don't fund work that is solely about criminal law.
See what funded projects look like
The best way to picture a strong project is to see one. Our case studies show how funded organisations have tackled real civil legal problems, from data-driven research to new approaches in community legal education.
Understand how Tenants Victoria used data-driven research to capture the unique experiences and challenges faced by single-parent renters in Victoria.
First Step Legal implemented data-driven practices to evaluate the effectiveness of the health justice partnership model in Victoria.
Who can apply
We prioritise applications from:
- community legal centres and community legal organisations
- community organisations with an internal legal service
- community organisations in partnership with a legal service.
A few things to know:
- We fund organisations, not individuals.
- You may need a legal partner. If your organisation doesn't have suitable legal expertise in-house, you'll need to partner with a legal organisation so that any legal information provided is accurate.
- Partnerships are welcome. We encourage partnerships between community organisations, research organisations, courts, tribunals and statutory bodies to share knowledge and expertise.
- Projects must benefit Victorians.
How to apply
You don't need to have everything worked out before you get in touch, early conversations often make for stronger applications.
- Talk to us early. Contact the Grants team to test your idea against the criteria and check that funds are available. A quick conversation can save you time applying for something that isn't quite eligible.
- Check your project fits. Make sure it's a civil law or access-to-justice project, meets the specific grant criteria, and addresses a genuine legal need.
- Develop your proposal. Work through our Developing your proposal guidance, and draw on the research above to sharpen your idea.
- Prepare your application. Download the application questions to draft your answers offline, and use the example budget as a guide to the level of detail we look for.
- Submit through SmartyGrants before the round closes.
Key dates
Grant rounds open at different times during the year. The quickest way to hear when the next round opens is to subscribe to our Grants newsletter.
- Everyday Legal Grant: Open from July 1, 2026 until funding is allocated, or until June 30, 2027.
- Major Grant: Applications open from July 1 to August 10, 2026.
Common questions
Can individuals apply?
No. We fund organisations, not individuals.
Do I need a legal partner?
Only if your organisation doesn't have legal expertise in-house. In that case, partner with a legal organisation so the legal information in your project is accurate.
What will not be considered for a grant?
We will not fund:
- studies to obtain a degree or diploma
- government organisations with the exception of independent statutory bodies
- core operating costs
- purchase of major items of equipment
- international travel costs
- conferences
- commercial or profit-making activities
- litigation of any kind
- projects that primarily support political activity and lobbying
- projects that do not primarily benefit Victorians
- work started or costs incurred prior to grant approval
- previously unsuccessful grant applications unless invited to reapply by VLF.
Do you fund criminal law work?
Our focus is civil law and access to justice. We'll consider work that sits at the intersection of civil and criminal law, but not projects that are solely about criminal law.
Can I get feedback before I apply?
Yes. Early feedback from the Grants team can strengthen your application and improve your chances.
I'm not sure which grant suits my project.
Get in touch—the Grants team can help you work out the right fit before you apply.
The grant round is closed, is there anything I can do now?
Plenty. You can read the guidance, develop your idea, talk to the team, and subscribe to the Grants newsletter so you hear the moment the next round opens.
Where do I submit my application?
Through SmartyGrants. You'll find the link on each grant's page.
Get help
The Grants team is here to help you prepare a strong application
Support topics
Find specific support for topics or issues you have.
Developing your proposal
Information, guidance, support and resources to help you prepare and submit a successful application.
Ethical risks and ethics applications
Research may also involve burdens or inconvenience to the research participants. These must also be weighed against the potential benefits of the research to ensure they are not overly onerous.
Further information and resources on ethical research practice
Templates and links to help guide the development of your own documents.
Overarching research values and principles
Ethical conduct of research within your organisation will be informed by the specific values and principles that underpin all your work.
Planning your research and avoiding delays
Victoria Law Foundation is not an ethics review body, but we can offer support to review documents and research plans.
Practical tips for undertaking ethical research
Guidance on your responsibilities and key questions to answer before you undertake research.
Research with lived/living experience
There are many benefits but also challenges when involving people with lived/living experience in your research.