Applications for the ITLOS–Nippon Foundation Capacity-Building and Training Programme in Germany are now open. The nine-month programme is jointly offered by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) and the Nippon Foundation on dispute settlement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). At the beginning of this fully funded fellowship, fellows will attend the four-week Summer Academy of the International Foundation for the Law of the Sea. This course is designed for young professionals working in the fields of the law of the sea and maritime law.
The ITLOS–Nippon Foundation Capacity-Building and Training Programme includes a series of lectures during which fellows engage in discussions with lecturers. The faculty includes Judges of the Tribunal, Registry officials, and experts from the United Nations, international organizations, universities, law firms, and other relevant institutions. Participants receive training in legal research methodology related to law of the sea disputes and other ocean matters, and then conduct independent research using the Tribunal’s specialized library facilities.
The programme also includes workshops to prepare fellows for their potential roles as agents, counsel, or legal advisers before international courts and tribunals. Fellows take part in drafting exercises related to cases, attend oral proceedings at international courts and tribunals, and develop their presentation skills using audio-visual tools. Study visits form an important part of this international capacity-building and training programme and complement the knowledge gained in dispute settlement and other topics related to the law of the sea.
ITLOS Nippon Foundation Capacity Building and Training Programme in Germany:
Host Country:
- Germany
Host Organization:
- International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), in cooperation with the Nippon Foundation
Program Location:
- Hamburg, Germany
Program Duration:
- 9 months (July 2026 – March 2027)
Benefits of ITLOS–Nippon Foundation Capacity-Building and Training Programme:
- There is no participation fee.
- International travel expenses are covered.
- Accommodation in a studio apartment in Hamburg is provided.
- Medical insurance is included.
- A monthly subsistence allowance is provided.
- Fellows become part of the ITLOS community for nine months.
- Fellows are provided with a fully equipped office with a computer, printer, and internet connection during the programme.
- Fellows have access to the Tribunal’s specialized Library for research.
- Fellows are introduced to life in Germany and receive German language classes. French language training may also be provided.
Check Newton International Fellowship in UK 2026-28 | Fully Funded
Eligibility Criteria for the ITLOS–Nippon Foundation Program 2026-2027:
- Applicants must be between 25 and 40 years old.
- Applicants must have a first university degree in law.
- Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to undertake independent scientific research, study, and training.
- Applicants must be either junior to mid-level government officials dealing with ocean affairs, maritime matters, and related legal issues, or researchers from academic or government institutions working in these fields.
- Applicants must indicate a research topic related to the implementation of UNCLOS, particularly Part XV.
- Applicants must be nominated by their administration or institution.
- Applicants must have excellent knowledge of one official language of the Tribunal (English or French) and a working knowledge of the other language.
How to Apply for the ITLOS–Nippon Foundation Training Programme in Germany:
- Fill out the official Fellowship Application Form carefully.
- Sign the form before submitting it.
- Ask your nominating agency to complete and sign the Nomination Form.
- Make sure the Nomination Form is typed and not handwritten.
- The nominating agency must submit two versions of the Nomination Form:
- A scanned copy of the signed original
- An electronic copy
- The Nomination Form should preferably be sent by email to training@itlos.org.
- It can also be sent by fax or by post to the Office of the Registrar at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in Hamburg, Germany.
Program Deadline:
- The last date to apply is 6 March 2026.
