The NACDL Foundation for Criminal Justice preserves and promotes the core values of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the American criminal justice system.
Support Us NowPublic Defense Scholarships
As a result of generous grant funding, NACDL is able to offer scholarship assistance to public defense attorneys to attend training programs.
As a result of generous grant funding, NACDL is able to offer scholarship assistance to public defense attorneys to attend training programs hosted by NACDL as well as other organizations. Scholarships are awarded in the form of full or partial reimbursement of the registration costs of the program. Limited travel reimbursement stipends may also be awarded to qualifying individuals to help defray the costs of travel and lodging.
Eligibility requirements for a registration and/or travel scholarship: Applicants must:
- Be a public defender, contract counsel, or private counsel receiving court appointments
- Demonstrate financial need
Do I need to be a member? You do not need to be a member to receive a scholarship for registration fees, but membership is required at the time of reimbursement for applicants awarded a travel scholarship.
Application Deadline: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis beginning approxmiately 90 days before the start of the program. Applications received less than three weeks before the program will not be considered.
To Apply: Submit a completed Public Defense Scholarship Application via email to pdtscholarship@nacdl.org with “Scholarship Application” in the subject line, or fax the application to (202) 872-8690, Attn: Public Defense Scholarship.
Additional information about NACDL's Public Defense Scholarship
Questions about NACDL's Public Defense Scholarship Program should be directed to: pdtscholarship@nacdl.org
Upcoming CLE Programs
This 5th Annual event is designed to help practitioners identify and confront issues of Racial Bias in our courts, the law enforcement community, by prosecutors, and yes, even the defense team. This seminar has been created to intentionally challenge you to push the envelope on your understanding of and willingness to attack racial bias in the criminal legal system. Register today!
If you are serious about being an effective DUI defense advocate, or if you're considering adding DUI defenses to your firms portfolio, you need to know the latest scientific and legal strategies to optimize your success at trial. Whether you are a seasoned criminal defense practitioner, or just getting started and needing to learn the ropes, THIS IS THE NATIONAL GATHERING YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO MISS!
Modern drug cases are evolving as the "War on Drugs" expands. The opioid epidemic has plagued the nation and the criminal landscape – leading to harsher punishments and other incentives to force pleas, even when they are unjust. As the impact of the pandemic lessens, criminal drug trials are picking up once again, and you must be prepared for the fight! Register today!
Representing a client with mental and behavioral illness requires an in-depth understanding of criminal procedure, experts, mental health defenses, and effective communication tactics. There is also a growing need to understand defendants' stories and the impact trauma, grief, and abuse have on mental health. This program brings together the nation’s top experienced lawyers, doctors, and thought leaders with expertise in mental health issues to empower attorneys to do exactly that. Register today!
Defending charges of sexual assault and child abuse can be daunting — but with the right tools, it doesn’t have to be. Attend this highly-rated one-of-a-kind NACDL seminar and leave with a better understanding of defending sex crimes cases in order to effectively represent your clients before, during, and after trial. Register today!