Applications are now open for the ITLOS–Nippon Foundation Capacity-Building and Training Programme 2026–2027 in Germany. The programme is jointly organized by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea and the Nippon Foundation to strengthen expertise in dispute settlement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
This fully funded nine-month fellowship begins with participation in the Summer Academy of the International Foundation for the Law of the Sea and provides comprehensive training, research opportunities, and practical exposure to international legal proceedings related to maritime and ocean affairs.
Scholarship Summary
- Host Country: Germany
- Host Organization: International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) in partnership with the Nippon Foundation
- Program Location: Hamburg, Germany
- Category: Fellowships | Training Programme | Capacity-Building Programme
- Eligible Countries: All Countries
- Reward: Fully Funded | Accommodation | Travel Expenses | Monthly Allowance | Medical Insurance
- Program Duration: 9 Months (July 2026 – March 2027)
- Deadline: March 6, 2026
Scholarship Details
The ITLOS–Nippon Foundation Capacity-Building and Training Programme is a comprehensive nine-month fellowship designed to enhance participants’ expertise in the settlement of disputes under UNCLOS. The programme begins with a four-week Summer Academy organized by the International Foundation for the Law of the Sea, tailored for young professionals engaged in maritime law and law of the sea matters.
Throughout the fellowship, participants attend specialized lectures and engage in in-depth discussions with distinguished faculty members, including Judges of the Tribunal, Registry officials, and experts from the United Nations, international organizations, academic institutions, and legal practice. Fellows receive structured training in legal research methodologies relating to ocean governance and dispute resolution, followed by independent research using the Tribunal’s specialized library resources.
The programme also features practical workshops that prepare fellows for potential roles as agents, counsel, or legal advisers before international courts and tribunals. Participants take part in drafting exercises based on real case scenarios, observe oral proceedings, and strengthen their advocacy and presentation skills using modern audio-visual tools. Study visits further complement the academic and practical components of the programme, broadening fellows’ exposure to international maritime institutions and dispute settlement mechanisms.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the ITLOS–Nippon Foundation Capacity-Building and Training Programme, applicants must:
- Be between 25 and 40 years old
- Hold a first university degree in Law
- Demonstrate the ability to carry out independent research, study, and professional training
- Be either:
- Junior to mid-level government officials working on ocean affairs, maritime issues, or related legal matters, or
- Researchers from academic or governmental institutions engaged in these fields
- Propose a research topic related to the implementation of UNCLOS, particularly Part XV
- Be formally nominated by their administration or institution
- Possess excellent command of one official language of the Tribunal (English or French) and a working knowledge of the other
Scholarship Benefits
Successful fellows will receive:
- No participation fee
- Full coverage of international travel expenses
- Accommodation in a studio apartment in Hamburg
- Comprehensive medical insurance
- Monthly subsistence allowance
- Membership within the ITLOS professional community for nine months
- A fully equipped office space with computer, printer, and internet access
- Access to the Tribunal’s specialized law library
- Orientation to life in Germany
- German language classes (French language support may also be available)
Required Documents
To apply for this programme, applicants must prepare to submit:
- Completed Fellowship Application Form
- Signed Nomination Form from the nominating agency
- Scanned copy of the signed Nomination Form
- Electronic copy of the Nomination Form (typed, not handwritten)
How to Apply
To apply for the ITLOS–Nippon Foundation Training Programme:
- Carefully complete the official Fellowship Application Form
- Sign the application form before submission
- Request your nominating agency to complete and sign the Nomination Form
- Ensure the Nomination Form is typed and properly completed
- Submit:
- A scanned signed original copy
- An electronic version of the Nomination Form
- The Nomination Form should preferably be sent via email to [email protected]
- Alternatively, it may be submitted by fax or post to the Office of the Registrar at ITLOS in Hamburg, Germany
- Submit all required documents before the deadline
- Kindly wait for further communication from the programme organizers
To begin the application process, visit the official ITLOS website.
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