Project Dhananjay 2023: CAN Foundation announces financial support for NLU students from economically weaker families [Applications open]

The Confederation of Alumni for National Law Universities (CAN) Foundation has announced the launch of the fourth edition of its flagship project aimed to aid new entrants from economically weaker backgrounds to a career of litigation.

To this end, the foundation has proposed to choose four or five meritorious final year students from National Law Universities (NLUs) for the grant of a monthly stipend as a "sustenance allowance" for the first couple of years of their legal practice.

As stated in a press release issued by the CAN Foundation,

"Project Dhananjay aims at helping young law graduates who are meritorious, yet in need of economic assistance, and who wish to enter the field of litigation, driven by a passion to serve society as lawyers on the field. It provides aspiring and talented law graduates from economically weaker families, with an ‘incubation period’ for setting up their practice."

Since the initiative's inception, a total of 13 scholars have been provided with support so far. In the previous edition year, a monthly stipend between ₹15,000 to ₹20,000 was granted to four meritorious graduates from four different NLUs.

Under its Fourth Edition, 4-5 meritorious students of NLUs from economically weaker families would be given a monthly stipend for at least one year of their legal practice. 

Interested candidates are required to send in their applications (available on the CAN foundation website) latest by 5pm on May 7, 2023.

To be eligible, one must have graduated with a B.A.LL.B or a similar 5-year integrated degree in law from any NLU in or after academic year 2021-22.