The Judicial Fellowship Programme offers participants a unique chance to gain hands-on experience at the highest level of international law. Selected fellows are assigned to work directly with one of the Court’s judges for a period of about ten months (from September to June). During this time, fellows conduct legal research, analyze international case law, prepare memoranda, and assist in the drafting of judicial opinions, thereby gaining direct exposure to the ICJ’s judicial processes and decision-making.

For candidates nominated by universities capable of providing financial support, the nominating institution is responsible for covering the fellow’s stipend, travel, insurance, and living costs. However, to ensure broader access and equal opportunity, the ICJ established a Judicial Fellowship Programme Trust Fund that provides full financial support to candidates from developing countries whose universities are unable to fund them. Fellows supported by this Trust Fund receive a monthly stipend, travel costs, health insurance, and living allowances for the full duration of the fellowship in The Hague.

Beyond financial support, fellows gain invaluable exposure to the work of an international court, professional mentorship from world-renowned judges, and a distinguished credential that significantly enhances future careers in international law, diplomacy, academia, or policy work.

To be considered for the ICJ Judicial Fellowship Programme, applicants must be nominated by their university, as individual applications are not accepted directly by the Court. Candidates should be recent law graduates or final-year law students who have demonstrated outstanding academic performance and a strong interest in public international law through their coursework, research, publications, or professional experience.

Applicants should ideally be 31 years of age or younger at the start of the fellowship, although this age limit may be waived in exceptional circumstances. They must have an excellent written and oral command of at least one of the ICJ’s official languages (English or French), and a working knowledge of the other language is considered an advantage. Candidates are also expected to show strong analytical, drafting, and research skills relevant to international legal work.

Eligible Countries:
This opportunity is open to law graduates from all countries worldwide. However, preference and funding priority under the ICJ Trust Fund are given to candidates from developing countries, whose universities may not have the financial capacity to sponsor their participation. The programme encourages a diverse geographic representation among fellows, ensuring participation from both developed and developing nations.

This fellowship is hosted and administered by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, Netherlands, the principal judicial organ of the United Nations (UN).

Click the official link below to apply for this opportunity