Admission Innovation Project – LOI Form Preview

Thank you for your interest in AccessLex Institute grant programs. You are beginning an application for the Admission Innovation Project. Before submitting an application for consideration, please read carefully the grant program’s frequently asked questions (FAQs).

The Admission Innovation Project (AIP) supports and funds efforts by law schools to implement and assess novel approaches to selecting first-year students. The central goal of the project is to increase knowledge about the impacts of deemphasizing standardized tests in the context of law admission.

Law schools may seek support by submitting a letter of inquiry (LOI). To potentially qualify for support, the LOI must:

• Provide a clear description of the novel admission approach for which support is being sought.
  • The approach must focus at least in part on identifying and admitting deserving applicants who have a history of lower performance on standardized tests.
• Seek support for a duration of no more than 24 months.

Projects that seek to tie the novel admission approach to relevant student outcomes (e.g., first-year grades) are encouraged. Projects comprising a simulation of the effects of a novel admission approach will also be considered. The exact nature of support and funding will be determined during the study design process, which we will lead in partnership with the grantee-law school.

The LOI form is designed to elicit general information about your proposed project. In essence, it provides an opportunity for you to pitch an idea. The information you provide should represent a well-formed idea; but it is not necessary for the idea to be completely fleshed out. AccessLex researchers will work closely with grantees to turn the idea into a rigorous empirical study.

All fields on the LOI form require a response. LOI will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until all support slots have been awarded. Earlier LOI submissions have a greater chance of being selected than later submissions.

To view and print the full list of questions in this application, click the "Question List" button above. If you have questions about this grant application process, please direct them to [email protected] with the phrase, "Question – LOI," in the subject line.

To ensure that you receive all correspondence regarding your application, please add [email protected] to your email safe senders list, address book, or contacts. Please note that all questions should be directed to [email protected].

Grant Number LOI
Assign the LOI number using the following format: Grant program's initials; calendar year during which the application was received; "APP;" and number by order in which the application was marked complete.
Character Limit: 100

In order for your proposal to be supportable, you must respond "Yes" to each of the questions in this section. If you respond "No" to any of the questions, your program is not eligible for funding, and you should not complete the LOI.

Program Duration*
Does your proposal seek support for a duration of no more than 24 months?
Choices 
Yes 
No

Target Population*
Are you seeking support for a project that focuses at least in part on identifying and admitting deserving applicants who have a history of lower performance on standardized tests? 
Choices 
Yes 
No

* Field required.

Project Title*
Please enter a name for the project for which you are seeking funding. 
Character Limit: 500

Project Summary* 
Please enter a brief statement describing the project.
Character Limit: 500

Proposed Funding Start Date* 
Please use the MM/DD/YYYY format. 
Character Limit: 10

Proposed Funding End Date* 
Please use the MM/DD/YYYY format. 
Character Limit: 10

* Field required.

Project Description* 
Please describe your project idea. The description should: 
- Explain the components of the novel admission approach; how the approach contrasts with tradition; and the extent to which the approach is designed to identify and admit deserving applicants who have a history of lower performance on standardized tests. 
- List each data source that would be used to carry out the project and describe the degree of availability, access, and permissions that the applicants have to each data source. 
- Discuss any experience the applicants have conducting empirical research. No empirical research experience is required.
Character Limit: 2500

* Field required.

Organization and Qualifications of Key Staff* 
Please describe the primary organization(s) in which the research activities will take place. Please also list key staff and describe their roles and qualifications for this project. Attach all key staff resumes and/or curricula vitae as one document through the link below. 
Character Limit: 2000

IRB Process* 
Applicants should check with their university’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) office and/or sponsored research office to consult about IRB requirements before submitting their proposal to AccessLex Institute. IRB approval is required for any research project involving human subjects, which includes collecting data through interviews, surveys, or experiments. Please check the appropriate box(es) below if you have 1) consulted with your university about IRB requirements (if applicable) and/or 2) have received approval prior to submitting this application. 
Choices 
I have consulted with my institution's IRB office (if applicable to my project). 
I received IRB approval prior to submitting this application. 
N/A 
Character Limit: 2000

How did you hear about the Admission Innovation Project?* 
Please choose all that apply
Choices 
Direct Mail 
Email 
Online Ad 
Print Ad 
Social Media 
Word of Mouth 
Other (please specify below) 
If you selected "other", please specify.
Character Limit: 200

* Field required.

Principal Investigator Name* 
Please enter the name of the Principal Investigator. 
Character Limit: 250

Principal Investigator Email* 
Please enter the Principal Investigator’s email address.
Character Limit: 250

* Field required.

More information about the Admission Innovation Project.