ITLOS – Nippon Foundation Capacity Building and Training Program 2026-2027 (Fully Funded to Hamburg, Germany)

Applications are now open for the 2026/2027 ITLOS – Nippon Foundation Capacity Building and Training Program, a fully funded nine-month professional training program on dispute settlement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Organised by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) in cooperation with the Nippon Foundation, the program is designed to strengthen legal capacity among junior to mid-level government officials and researchers working in ocean affairs, maritime law, and international dispute settlement.

The program takes place full-time at the seat of the Tribunal in Hamburg, Germany.

About the Program

This intensive nine-month fellowship provides participants with:

• Advanced legal training on UNCLOS dispute settlement (Part XV)
• Practical exposure to international adjudication
• Workshops on negotiation, mediation, and advocacy
• Study visits to leading institutions in Germany and Norway
• Access to global experts in maritime and international law

Fellows are fully integrated into the work of the Tribunal’s Registry and become part of the ITLOS professional community.

Application Deadline: March 6, 2026
Program Duration: July 2026 – March 2027 (9 Months)
Location: Hamburg, Germany

Who Should Apply?

The program targets:

• Junior to mid-level government officials
• Researchers from academic or government institutions
• Professionals working in the law of the sea, maritime law, ocean governance, or dispute settlement
• Applicants are mainly from developing countries

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Be 25–40 years old
• Hold a first university degree in law
• Demonstrate ability to conduct independent research
• Be nominated by their government agency or academic institution
• Propose a research topic addressing legal issues relevant to their State or institution regarding the implementation of UNCLOS (especially Part XV)
• Have excellent knowledge of English or French, and working knowledge of the other language
  (Program activities are mainly conducted in English)

If applying as a government official, the nomination must come from a relevant government body. Researchers must be nominated by their academic or research institution.

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Program Structure

1️⃣ Summer Academy

Fellows participate in the four-week Summer Academy organised by the International Foundation for the Law of the Sea.

2️⃣ Lecture Series

Lectures delivered by:

• ITLOS Judges
• Registry officials
• UN experts
• Academics
• International legal practitioners

3️⃣ Practical Training

Includes:

• Drafting legal documents
• Negotiation and mediation workshops
• Oral advocacy exercises
• Attendance at hearings at ITLOS, ICJ, or PCA

4️⃣ Study Visits

Visits to:

• Max Planck Foundation (Heidelberg, Germany)
• Norwegian Center for the Law of the Sea (Tromsø, Norway)
• Other international legal institutions

Benefits (Fully Funded)

All major costs are covered by the Nippon Foundation, including:

• International travel
• Accommodation (studio apartments near the Tribunal)
• Medical insurance
• Monthly subsistence allowance
• Office space with a computer and internet
• Access to the ITLOS specialised law library

Fellows also receive introductory German language training upon arrival.

Note: Participants must obtain their own German visa (at personal cost), though administrative support is provided.

Research Focus

Applicants must propose a research topic addressing legal issues related to:

• Implementation of UNCLOS
• Dispute settlement mechanisms
• Maritime boundary issues
• Ocean governance
• International maritime law

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Application Procedure

The following documents must be submitted:

1. Fellowship Application Form (completed and signed by applicant)
2. Nomination Form (completed, signed, and submitted by nominating agency)

Nominating agencies must submit:

• One scanned signed original
• One electronic typed version

Submission methods:

Email: training@itlos.org
Fax: +49 40 35607-245
Post:
Office of the Registrar
International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea
Am Internationalen Seegerichtshof 1
22609 Hamburg
Germany

Why Apply?

This program offers:

• Direct engagement with an international tribunal
• Specialised training in UNCLOS dispute settlement
• Global professional network in maritime law
• Career advancement in international law and ocean governance

For legal professionals working in maritime or ocean affairs, this is one of the most prestigious fully funded capacity-building opportunities globally.

Apply for the ITLOS – Nippon Foundation Capacity Building and Training Program