The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) runs this capacity-building and training programme at its seat in Hamburg, Germany, with funding from The Nippon Foundation of Japan. It is a full-time programme that lasts nine months and begins in July each year. It is aimed at junior to mid-level government officials and researchers, mainly from developing countries, who already work on the law of the sea, maritime law or dispute settlement.
Fellows attend lectures given by judges of the Tribunal and by outside experts, take part in practical training, join guided study visits to international institutions in Europe, and write an independent research paper supervised by the Registry. Since the programme began in 2007, 113 fellows from 83 States have taken part.
Benefits & funding
- All participants’ costs are covered by The Nippon Foundation: travel, accommodation, medical insurance and a monthly allowance. The Tribunal does not publish the allowance figure.
- Nine months of full-time training at the seat of the Tribunal, from July to March.
- A four-week Summer Academy on law of the sea topics, run by the International Foundation for the Law of the Sea, opens the programme.
- Lectures by ITLOS judges and international experts on dispute settlement, current law of the sea questions, international environmental law and maritime law.
- Practical training in negotiation, mediation, drafting and presentation, plus attendance at proceedings of the Tribunal.
- Guided study visits to international organisations and research institutes across Europe.
- Supervised independent research on a legal question that matters to the fellow’s own State and institution, with associated institutions including the Max Planck Foundation for International Peace and the Rule of Law in Heidelberg and the Norwegian Centre for the Law of the Sea in Tromsø.
- Participants arrange their own German visa at their own expense; the Tribunal can assist with the application.
Eligibility
- Aged between 25 and 40.
- A first university degree in law, with a demonstrated capacity to undertake independent scientific research, study and training.
- Either a junior to mid-level official in a government administration or agency dealing with ocean affairs or maritime matters, or a researcher at an academic or government institute working on ocean-related or maritime matters.
- Excellent knowledge of one official language of the Tribunal (English or French) and a working knowledge of the other.
- A proposed research topic on legal issues of relevance to the applicant’s State and institutions in implementing UNCLOS.
- A nomination from the employing agency or institute, submitted directly by that agency.
- No nationality is barred. The Tribunal states the programme is aimed mainly at candidates from developing countries, which is a focus rather than a stated requirement.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
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Education required
Bachelor · Master · PhD
Age requirement
25–40 yrs
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Application process
- 1Watch for the annual call, which the Tribunal says is generally announced in January or February, subject to the availability of funds.
- 2Agree a research topic with the employer and prepare the proposal it asks for.
- 3Complete and sign the Fellowship Application Form published with the call.
- 4Ask the nominating agency or institute to complete and sign the Nomination Form and send it to the Tribunal directly.
- 5Submit the documents by the deadline to training@itlos.org, by fax to +49 40 35607-245, or by post to the Office of the Registrar, ITLOS, Am Internationalen Seegerichtshof 1, 22609 Hamburg, Germany.
- 6Once admitted, supply within two weeks a medical certificate from a qualified physician confirming fitness for the whole programme, and a certificate from the nominating agency granting permission to take part.
Program timeline
24 February 2026
Call for applications for the 2026-2027 programme announced
6 March 2026
Application deadline for the 2026-2027 programme
Programme begins in Hamburg, opening with the four-week Summer Academy
July each year
Programme ends after nine months
March the following year
Call for the next programme year is generally announced, funds permitting
January to February