The United Nations International Law Fellowship Programme is organized by the Codification Division of the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs.

The Fellowship Programme consists of an annual six-week summer course at the Peace Palace in The Hague, the Netherlands. The participants attend lectures and seminars in international law organized by the Codification Division as well as the public international law session at The Hague Academy of International Law.

The lectures and seminars organized by the Codification Division are given by prominent international law scholars and practitioners from different regions and legal systems. The Fellowship Programme is conducted in English or French. The 2019 Programme will be conducted in English.

Objectives 

The Fellowship Programme provides high-quality training by prominent international law scholars and practitioners on a broad range of core topics of international law. In addition, the interactive nature of the training allows the participants to share experiences and exchange ideas, which promotes greater understanding and cooperation on contemporary issues of international law.

The Fellowship Programme is intended to enable qualified professionals, in particular government officials and teachers of international law from developing countries and countries with emerging economies, to deepen their knowledge of international law and of the legal work of the United Nations.

The Fellowship Programme accommodates up to 21 participants.

Cost Coverage 

The fellowships cover the fellowship recipient’s travel costs in economy class, accommodation, medical insurance, participation in the Fellowship Programme, the training material and the registration fee for The Hague Academy of International Law. In accordance with the policies and procedures governing the administration of United Nations fellowships, participants will also receive a stipend to cover other living expenses.

Qualified candidates may also apply for self-funded positions. Self-funded participants bear all costs associated with their participation (travel, accommodation, living expenses and registration fee for The Hague Academy of International Law). Training materials are provided to all self-funded participants free of charge.

Qualifications

To qualify for the Fellowship Programme :

• Candidates must have a legal background with professional experience in the field of international law.
• The selected participants are required to submit a medical certificate of good health and to certify that they are able to attend the entirety of the course on a full time basis.
• The 2019 Fellowship Programme will be conducted in English. Fluency in spoken and written English is required.