UNIDROIT 2026 Scholarship Programme Now Open for Applications

Deadline: September 7, 2025

The International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT) is now accepting applications for its prestigious 2026 Scholarship Programme. This initiative offers a unique opportunity for legal scholars, practitioners, and government officials to undertake advanced legal research at the organization’s headquarters in Rome, Italy.

The programme is designed to foster academic engagement and international collaboration in the field of private international law. Each year, a limited number of highly qualified candidates are selected to carry out research aligned with UNIDROIT’s mission and thematic priorities.

Programme Overview

Selected scholars will receive a monthly stipend of €1,500 to support a two-month research residency at the UNIDROIT Library in Rome. In exceptional cases, the scholarship may be extended for a third month.

Research must be conducted on-site. During their stay, scholars may also be invited to present their findings through a short workshop and are encouraged to submit their research for publication in the Uniform Law Review, a peer-reviewed journal published by Oxford University Press.

Additional scholarships are made available through the support of the UNIDROIT Asian Transnational Law Centre, with priority given to applicants from the Asia-Pacific region. Those not selected for financial support may still be considered for an unfunded research residency.

Research Focus Areas

While applicants may propose research on any subject related to UNIDROIT’s work, preference will be given to proposals that align with the following thematic areas:

• Access to Credit: Including the Cape Town Convention and its protocols (MAC, Rail, Space), investment-based crowdfunding, factoring, and warehouse receipts.
  
• International Commercial Contracts: Focus on investment contracts, and construction and engineering contract law.
  
• Private Law and Agriculture: Topics like land investment contracts, contract farming, and legal structures for agribusinesses.
  
• Law and Technology: Legal implications of digital assets and digital risk liability.
  
• Financial and Capital Markets: Insolvency issues concerning banks and insurance companies.
  
• Transnational Civil Procedure: Best practices for enforcement.
  
• Cultural Property: Legal dimensions of private art collections and the 1995 UNIDROIT Convention.
  
• Sustainable Development: Topics such as carbon credit legality and corporate sustainability in global supply chains.
  

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• A strong academic or professional background in law, especially in private or international law.
  
• A clearly defined and original research proposal that fits within UNIDROIT’s scope.
  
• Proficiency in English or French at a professional legal standard.
  

Eligible applicants include:

• Doctoral students
  
• Legal scholars
  
• Practicing lawyers
  
• Government officials in relevant fields
  

Priority will be given to individuals from developing countries or underrepresented regions.

Application Process

Applications must be submitted via the official UNIDROIT website using the 2026 Scholarship Programme application form. Applicants are required to upload a single file (Word or PDF) containing the following documents:

• Curriculum Vitae (mandatory)
  
• Cover letter (mandatory)
  
• Research proposal (mandatory)
  
• Letters of reference (optional)
  

Applications will be evaluated based on:

• Relevance and originality of the research topic
  
• Academic and professional qualifications
  
• Language skills
  
• Alignment with UNIDROIT’s mission and areas of focus
  
• Contribution to the advancement of international legal research
  

Important Dates

• Application Deadline: September 7, 2025
  
• Shortlisting and Interviews: October–November 2025
  
• Final Selection: December 2025
  
• Research Period: Throughout 2026
  

Please note that the monthly stipend is intended to support daily living expenses in Rome. Scholars must arrange their own travel, housing, and health insurance.