UNIDROIT Scholarship, Internship and Research Programme for 2026
- Omran Aburayya
- Sep 4
- 3 min read
If you're a passionate law researcher, academic, postgraduate student, or legal professional hungry for immersive research or internship opportunities abroad, the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT) Scholarship, Internship and Research Programme for 2026 is now open — and Rome awaits! Let's dig into details!
🎓 Scholarship Summary
Location: Rome, Italy (UNIDROIT Headquarters)
Host Institution: International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT)
Study Level: Post-graduate (doctoral) law students, lawyers, academics, government officials
Target Group: Outstanding candidates, with special additional support for Asia-Pacific applicants via UNIDROIT Asian Transnational Law Centre
Focus Areas:
Access to credit (Cape Town Convention, MAC, Rail & Space Protocols, crowdfunding, factoring, warehouse receipts)
International commercial contracts (investment contracts, construction and engineering law)
Private law and agricultural development (agri-investment contracts, contract farming, collaborative legal structures)
Law & technology (digital assets, digital risk regulation)
Capital markets & financial law (bank/insurance insolvency)
Transnational civil procedure (effective enforcement)
Cultural property (1995 Convention, private art collections)
Sustainable development (verified carbon credits, corporate sustainability due diligence)
Value & Coverage: €1,500 per month; research for two months (exceptionally three months)
Duration: 2 months in general; up to 3 months in exceptional cases
Application Deadline: 7 September 2025
Start Date: During 2026 (specific timing not yet disclosed)
Eligible To: Doctoral law students, lawyers, academics, government officials worldwide; Asia-Pacific applicants given additional scholarships
📚 Scholarship Overview
UNIDROIT invites applications from exceptional legal scholars and professionals to pursue in-person research within its renowned library in Rome. Scholars receive a stipend, may deliver a workshop during their stay, and are encouraged to submit their work to the Uniform Law Review for publication .
🎁 Benefits
Monthly stipend (€1,500)
In-person access to UNIDROIT’s resources and networks
Workshop presentation opportunities
Potential publication avenue in Uniform Law Review
Special funding for Asia-Pacific candidates and developing country applicants
✅ Eligibility Criteria
Strong academic or professional legal background
Original, feasible research proposal aligned with UNIDROIT work areas
Proficiency in English and/or French (professional legal standard)
📝 Application Procedure
Complete the UNIDROIT 2026 Scholarship Programme Online Application Form
Upload as a single PDF or Word document:
Curriculum Vitae (CV) – mandatory
Cover Letter – mandatory
Reference Letters – optional (or mandatory per some sources; check form instructions)
Research Proposal – mandatory (highlighted in some external descriptions)
Applications missing required documents will be disqualified
Assessed based on CV, proposal quality, language proficiency, and the relevance/value of the research to UNIDROIT
📆 Timeline
Deadline: 7 September 2025
Short-listing: October–November 2025
Outcome Notification: End of December 2025
2). Internship Programme (2026)
🎓 Summary
Location: UNIDROIT Headquarters, Rome, Italy
Host Institution: International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT)
Study Level: Advanced undergraduate and postgraduate law students; early-career legal professionals
Target Group: Exceptional later-year law students and legal professionals; developing country and Asia-Pacific candidates receive preference
Fields of Focus: Same as for scholarships (see list above)
Value & Coverage: €1,000 per month stipend for select candidates (limited)
Award Duration: 3-month internship in 2026
Application Deadline: 7 September 2025
Start Date: To take place during 2026 (exact months TBD)
Eligible To: Advanced undergrad/postgrad law students, early-career legal professionals; preference for candidates from developing countries and Asia-Pacific
📚 Internship Overview
Selected interns spend three months contributing to UNIDROIT’s secretariat—conducting legal research, drafting concept notes, preparing reports, translations, and other tasks under professional supervision .
🎁 Benefits
Modest monthly stipend (€1,000) for funded interns
Hands-on legal and institutional experience in Rome
Preference for applicants from developing regions and Asia-Pacific, thanks to regional funding
✅ Eligibility Criteria
Advanced law students or young legal professionals
Professional-level proficiency in English and/or French
📝 Application Procedure
Complete the UNIDROIT 2026 Internship Programme Application Form
Upload as a single PDF or Word document:
CV – mandatory
Cover Letter – mandatory
Reference Letters – optional
Successful selection is competitive; ensure all mandatory docs are included
ℹ️ Important Note on Funding
The €1,000 stipend does not cover full living expenses in Rome, frequently estimated at €2,000–€3,000/month. Applicants should secure additional funding from their university, Erasmus, scholarships, or personal means before applying .
📆 Timeline
Deadline: 7 September 2025
Short-listing & Interviews: October–November 2025
Decision Notification: By end of December 2025
🌐 Other Program Elements
Aside from the scholarship and internship tracks, the UNIDROIT programme includes:
Sir Roy Goode Scholarship – a special named initiative (specific details may require separate searching; not detailed in sources)
Secondments
Cooperation with Academic Institutions – offers joint research projects, academic programmes, and exchanges; example: QMUL–UNIDROIT Institute for Transnational Commercial Law
UNIDROIT Alumni Association – connects past participants; new researchers and interns enjoy a free one-year membership
