The International Court of Justice (ICJ) Judicial Fellowship Programme offers outstanding recent law graduates a prestigious opportunity to gain hands-on professional experience at the world’s principal judicial organ. For approximately ten months, fellows work full-time in The Hague under the supervision of a Member of the Court, conducting legal research, preparing memorandums for ongoing cases, and attending judicial deliberations. This immersive fellowship provides unparalleled exposure to the practice of public international law.
A key feature of this program is its application process: individuals cannot apply directly and must be nominated by their university.
Program Benefits
- Direct Judicial Experience: Work directly with an ICJ judge and their primary legal assistant on substantive legal tasks related to the Court’s work.
- Financial Support: A Trust Fund is available to provide financial awards to eligible candidates nominated by universities in developing countries. The award covers a monthly stipend for living expenses, travel, and health insurance costs.
- In-depth Legal Knowledge: Gain a deep, practical understanding of international law, judicial procedures, and the functioning of the United Nations’ principal judicial organ.
- Professional Development: Enhance research and drafting skills while supporting judges with speeches, conference materials, and other professional tasks.
Eligibility Criteria
- Nomination: Candidates must be nominated by their university. Direct applications from individuals are not accepted.
- Age: Must be 31 years old or younger at the start of the fellowship.
- Academic Background: Must have excellent academic results in legal studies and a demonstrated interest in public international law.
- Language Proficiency: Excellent written and oral proficiency in either English or French is required. A working knowledge of the other language is a strong asset.
Application Process
- Application Deadline: The deadline for universities to submit nominations is February 5, 2026.
- How to Apply: Interested candidates must contact their university’s law faculty or careers office to seek nomination. The university then appoints a focal point to complete a pre-screening questionnaire and submit the full application package on the candidate’s behalf.
- Required Documents: The complete application package includes an official nomination letter, an ICJ personal history form, letters of reference, academic transcripts, a writing sample (max 15 pages), and a candidate summary table.
Application Link:
For complete details and for universities to register for the nomination process, please visit the official ICJ website.
