The United Nations International Law Fellowship 2026 is a fully funded three-week annual summer program hosted at The Hague Academy of International Law in the Netherlands, running from 29 June to 31 July 2026. Selecting up to 20 participants from developing countries and emerging economies with a demonstrated professional background in international law, the fellowship covers economy class airfare, accommodation, medical insurance, living expenses, training materials, and registration fees. No application fee is required. The application deadline is 30 March 2026.
Program Highlights
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opportunity Type | Fully Funded International Law Fellowship |
| Organising Body | United Nations — Codification Division |
| Mode | Offline |
| Duration | 3 Weeks |
| Location | The Hague Academy of International Law, The Hague, Netherlands |
| Last Date to Apply | 30 March 2026 |
About the Program
The United Nations International Law Fellowship 2026 is an annual program administered by the UN’s Codification Division, designed to deepen participants’ understanding of international law and the legal work of the United Nations across its principal bodies and mechanisms. Hosted at the Peace Palace in The Hague — one of the world’s most recognised centres of international legal practice — the fellowship places up to 20 selected professionals in an intensive academic and institutional environment structured around lectures and seminars delivered by leading international law scholars and UN practitioners. Consequently, fellows emerge with both a comprehensive conceptual grounding in core international legal frameworks and direct exposure to how the UN applies these frameworks in practice.
Eligibility Criteria
Academic Qualification
- Must possess a legal academic background relevant to international law
- Open to applicants from developing countries and emerging economies only
- No specific degree level beyond a legal qualification is stated
Experience & Other Conditions
- Must have demonstrated professional experience in the field of international law
- Must commit to attending the entire three-week program from 29 June to 31 July 2026
- No application fee is required at any stage of the process
Benefits & Funding
The United Nations covers all core expenses for the full duration of the fellowship.
| Component | Detail |
|---|---|
| Airfare | Economy class return travel costs fully covered |
| Accommodation | Provided for the full three-week program duration |
| Medical Insurance | Health coverage throughout the fellowship |
| Living Expenses | Covered for the duration of the program |
| Training Materials | All seminar and lecture materials provided |
| Registration Fee | Fully waived for selected participants |
| Certification | Certificate awarded upon program completion |
Topics / Themes Covered
- Introduction to International Law
- Treaty Law
- International Responsibility
- International Peace and Security
- Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes
- Diplomatic and Consular Law
- International Human Rights Law
- International Humanitarian Law
- International Criminal Law
- International Environmental Law
- Law of the Sea
- International Trade Law
- International Investment Law
Selection Process
- Application form completed and submitted by email to ilfp@un.org along with all required documents
- Evaluation based on legal academic background and demonstrated professional experience in international law
- Confirmation of availability and commitment to attend the full three-week program is considered
- Up to 20 participants are selected by the UN Codification Division
How to Apply
- Visit the official United Nations International Law Fellowship 2026 portal for full application details.
- Complete the official application form with your personal, academic, and professional information.
- Gather all required supporting documents demonstrating your legal background and professional experience in international law.
- Send your completed application form and all supporting materials by email to ilfp@un.org before the 30 March 2026 deadline.
- No application fee is required at any stage of the submission process.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| All Applicants | No application fee required |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 3 March 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 30 March 2026 |
| Fellowship Start Date | 29 June 2026 |
| Fellowship End Date | 31 July 2026 |
Important Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Application Email | ilfp@un.org |
Contact
All application materials must be submitted directly by email to ilfp@un.org. Refer to the official UN Codification Division website for further programme-related queries and eligibility clarifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the United Nations International Law Fellowship 2026?
The fellowship is open to legal professionals from developing countries and emerging economies who possess a legal academic background and demonstrated professional experience in international law. Notably, applicants must be available to commit to the full three-week program duration without exception.
What does the United Nations International Law Fellowship 2026 cover financially?
The fellowship provides comprehensive coverage including economy class return airfare, accommodation, medical insurance, living expenses, training materials, and full waiver of the registration fee — all at no cost to selected participants.
How many participants are selected for the fellowship?
The United Nations selects up to 20 participants per annual cohort. Consequently, the program is highly competitive, and applicants are encouraged to submit strong evidence of their legal background and professional experience in international law.
What topics are covered during the fellowship seminars and lectures?
The Codification Division structures the program around thirteen areas of international law, including treaty law, international human rights law, international criminal law, law of the sea, international trade law, and international environmental law, among others.
How should applications be submitted for the United Nations International Law Fellowship 2026?
Applications must be submitted by email to ilfp@un.org, along with all required supporting documents. The United Nations does not charge an application fee at any stage, and no online submission portal is used for this fellowship.