Financial assistance for scholars defending their rights.

Introductory notes for the application:

SLDEF is an organization with limited resources. As a result, we can only accept a small percentage of the many requests for assistance that we receive. We will respond to you if we may be able to assist you.

SLDEF provides financial assistance only. We do not provide legal representation, legal advice, or attorney referrals, and applying to or communicating with SLDEF does not create an attorney-client relationship.

If you are a named defendant, you may face strict deadlines, including deadlines to respond to a complaint, charge, or summons, appear in court, file motions, or appeal. If you believe your civil rights have been violated, you may also have separate claims, such as a lawsuit of your own, that carry their own filing deadlines. Some of these claims require you to file a notice or pursue a remedy with a government agency before going to court. Missing a deadline or notice requirement could permanently limit your options, including your ability to defend yourself.[1]

Submitting an application to SLDEF does not pause, extend, or satisfy any deadline or notice requirement. Applying also does not guarantee that we will approve your request or that funds will be available. Our review process takes time, and we cannot respond to every request immediately.

If you have an urgent need or an approaching deadline, contact a private attorney, your local public defender, or your state bar association’s lawyer referral service right away.

Please provide your contact information.

• Name
• Address
• Email
• Phone Number
• Name, email, and phone number of attorney
• Amount of Funding Requested

Eligibility requirements

Only individuals who are employed or were formerly employed as professors or researchers or who currently study at accredited universities in the United States whose civil rights are being infringed upon or who feel that they were unfairly targeted because of their personal background may apply for financial assistance.  Any application for funding must meet all of the following requirements to be considered for funding:

1. Cases must relate to potential human and civil rights violations;
2. Cases are eligible for funding once there has been an investigatory case opened and legal representation is advisable;
3. Cases should have a record detailing the allegations in the case. Examples include records from law enforcement and other government agencies, universities, and court filings; and
4. The allegations and issues presented should present important legal rights that involve potential civil and human rights violations or restrictions that have the potential of affecting law and setting precedential value.

Not withstanding the foregoing, SLDEF may consider payments for the filing of briefs amicus curiae in cases that involve potential human and civil rights violations where scholars are implicated.

Application information

Please provide a complete and detailed description of the events giving rise to your request for assistance, including:

• What happened?
• The allegations charged against you and any information that demonstrates that you are being targeted because of your views or background.
• Dates, places, and the names of the people directly involved (including the names of law enforcement agents or officers, officials at educational institutions or federal agencies).
• What explanation, if any, was given for what happened?
• Why do you think this happened to you?
• What steps, if any, have you taken) with respect to the allegations charged against you?
• What documentation do you have on the matter?
• If you are represented by an attorney, indicate their name, address, and telephone number.
• How did you hear about SLDEF?
• Are you currently enrolled in or employed by a university or college?
• Were you previously employed by a university or college and if so, what were the dates of employment?
• Are you currently a party to any other pending legal proceedings?
• Are you able, with­out substantial financial hardship to yourself or to your dependents, to obtain legal representation?

Please include any media coverage of your situation.  Any materials, including articles or videos, may be emailed to SLDEF.info@proton.me.

List any other agencies or organizations from whom you have requested assistance.