NHSMTC Grant Process and Awards
NHSMTC Innovation Grants
Each year, the National High School Mock Trial Championship (NHSMTC), in partnership with the IADC Foundation, offers Innovation Grants to help state mock trial programs grow, strengthen, and innovate. These grants are designed to support projects that enhance the quality, reach, or sustainability of state-level competitions.
About the Program
The Innovation Grant Committee reviews proposals submitted by NHSMTC member organizations annually. Grants of up to $5,000 are awarded, with a total of $10,000 distributed each year. All member states are encouraged to apply, though priority is given to members who have not previously received funding.
Grant funds have supported a variety of initiatives in the past, including the following:
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Technology upgrades and scoring systems
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Outreach and diversity initiatives
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Training programs for coaches, students, or judges
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Regional tournament expansion and new team recruitment
You can view examples of past projects by logging into the Coordinator Resources section in the Members Area.
Grant Calendar
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July 30: Grant proposal forms due
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August 15: Grant awards announced
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May 31: Final grant report due
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June: Grant project presentations at the virtual State Coordinators Third Thursday
How to Apply
Applications are submitted through the NHSMTC Innovation Grant Request for Proposals (RFP) form. We welcome creative ideas that help make mock trial more accessible, equitable, and impactful in your state.
For questions or guidance about the grant process, please contact the NHSMTC Innovation Grant Committee.
Recent Grant Recipients
2025 Innovation Grant Awards
Congratulations to the recipients of this year’s NHSMTC Innovation Grants! These programs were selected for their creativity, community impact, and potential to advance excellence in mock trial education across their states.
Arkansas: Empowering the Next Generation of Arkansas Lawyers - $2,000
The Arkansas Bar Association Mock Trial Committee is dedicated to expanding access to our state's mock trial competition. The committee is launching a free, one-day workshop on January 10, 2026, at the UA-Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law, specifically targeting rural, underresourced schools. This hands-on training will equip students and teachers with the trial advocacy skills needed to succeed.
The committee has identified that many schools from rural, low-income areas lack the resources to participate. Their project will directly address this by offering a tiered grant program to reduce financial barriers. This initiative will not only increase participation in these critical regions but will also strengthen the quality of the competition statewide.
California: A New Statewide Competition for Middle Schoolers - $5,000
Teach Democracy is launching a new program to create the California Mock Trial Middle School State Finals. This will be the first-ever statewide competition for students in grades 6-8, bridging the gap between existing county-level programs and providing a powerful incentive for new teams to form, especially in underserved and rural areas.
This new competition will include a Courtroom Artist and Courtroom Journalist contest. These additions will enable a broader range of students to participate in and learn about the legal system from diverse perspectives, developing skills in critical observation, visual arts, and journalism.
The program aims to create a robust pipeline of civically engaged students, strengthening the state's 10,000-student high school mock trial program. It will also bring together a diverse community of students, educators, and legal professionals as volunteers, promoting community cooperation and a deeper understanding of the rule of law.
Michigan: Bringing Mock Trial to Michigan's Legal Deserts - $3,000
The Michigan Center for Civic Education (MCCE) is working to combat "legal deserts" in geographic areas with a severe shortage of legal professionals by expanding its mock trial program into underserved regions of the state.
With the support of the State Bar of Michigan and the Michigan Department of Education, the MCCE has identified key areas in Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula, including Sutton's Bay and Marquette, that lack access to law-related education. Their goal is to host clinics and regional events in these areas, fostering interest in the legal field and strengthening the statewide mock trial competition.
These events will provide hands-on training for students, with opportunities to learn about trial advocacy, courtroom artistry, and journalism. By bringing this program directly to these communities, we aim to inspire the next generation of legal professionals from all corners of the state.
These innovative projects reflect the dedication of NHSMTC member programs to making mock trial education more inclusive, engaging, and sustainable for years to come.
