About the opportunity
What this programme is offering
What Makes the UNIDROIT Scholarship Programme Unique?
The UNIDROIT Scholarship, Internship and Research Programme provides several pathways for legal professionals at different stages of their careers, including scholarships, internships, research opportunities, secondments, academic collaborations, and alumni engagement.
The 2027 scholarship programme will award a limited number of funded research opportunities to outstanding candidates who wish to conduct research using the UNIDROIT Library and engage with the organisation’s international legal work.
Selected scholars will receive a research grant of €1,500 per month and will undertake a research stay lasting two months. In exceptional cases, scholarships may be extended to three months.
Who Can Apply for the UNIDROIT 2027 Scholarship?
The programme welcomes applications from highly qualified candidates, including:
Doctoral law students.
Lawyers and members of the legal profession.
University academics and researchers.
Government officials involved in legal policy and regulation.
Applicants should demonstrate strong research skills, relevant academic or professional experience, and proficiency in English or French.
Candidates whose applications are not selected for funded scholarships may still be considered for an unfunded research stay at UNIDROIT, allowing them to conduct independent research using the organisation’s resources.
Which Legal Research Areas Are Encouraged?
Applicants may submit proposals connected to any of UNIDROIT’s current projects, legal instruments, or areas of research. However, special attention will be given to proposals addressing key areas of international legal development.
Access to Credit and Financial Innovation
Researchers may explore legal frameworks related to access to finance, including the Cape Town Convention, aviation and transport financing protocols, investment-based crowdfunding, factoring, and warehouse receipt systems.
International Commercial Contracts
Research proposals may examine emerging challenges in international commercial agreements, including investment contracts, construction law, and engineering contract frameworks.
Private Law and Agricultural Development
UNIDROIT encourages research into legal structures supporting agricultural enterprises, agricultural land investment contracts, and contract farming models aimed at strengthening sustainable development.
Law and Technology
Applicants interested in digital transformation may investigate topics such as digital assets, private law responses to technological change, and regulation of digital risks through civil liability frameworks.
Capital Markets and Financial Law
Research opportunities are available for projects focusing on financial law issues, including bank insolvency and insolvency frameworks affecting insurance companies.
Transnational Civil Procedure
Candidates may study international enforcement practices and approaches to improving effectiveness in cross-border legal procedures.
Cultural Property and Heritage Law
Research may focus on areas such as private art collections and the implementation of international cultural property protection frameworks.
Sustainable Development and Global Governance
Applicants may explore legal questions related to verified carbon credits, corporate sustainability due diligence, and responsible business practices in global value chains.
How Can Candidates Apply?
Interested applicants must complete the official online scholarship application form and submit all required supporting documents.
The application package must include:
Curriculum Vitae (CV).
Cover letter.
Research proposal.
Supporting reference letters.
All materials must be combined into one PDF or Word document before submission. Applications missing required documents may be automatically disqualified.
Selection committees will evaluate applications based on several factors, including the candidate’s academic and professional background, quality of the proposed research, relevance to UNIDROIT’s mission, language ability, and potential contribution to international legal scholarship.
Application Deadline and Selection Timeline
Deadline for applications: September 4, 2026
Following the submission period, shortlisted candidates will be assessed during October and November. Applicants will be informed of the final outcome by the end of December 2026.
A Global Platform for Advancing Private Law Research
For more than 25 years, the UNIDROIT Research Scholarship Programme has supported legal researchers from around the world, hosting nearly 400 scholars from more than 65 countries.
How to apply