Internship at International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), Hamburg (Jan-Mar 2027, unpaid)

The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) is an independent judicial body established by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to adjudicate disputes arising out of the interpretation and application of the Convention. The Tribunal, seated in Hamburg, Germany, runs an internship programme offering students and recent graduates an opportunity to gain practical insight into the work of an international court and to enhance their understanding of the law of the sea and international law.

The Tribunal offers four three-month internship periods each year. The application period for the January to March 2027 internship is currently open, with an application deadline of 30 June 2026. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered, and incomplete applications will not be considered.

• January to March: apply by 30 June of the previous year
• April to June: apply by 30 September of the previous year
• July to September: apply by 31 December of the previous year
• October to December: apply by 31 March of the same year

• Applicants must have completed at least three years of university studies and be enrolled in a degree-granting programme during both the application and the internship, or be a recent graduate (within 12 months of graduation).
• Applicants should normally not be more than 32 years of age.
• A good command of English and/or French is required.
• Eligible fields of study include law of the sea and international law, international relations and political science, library science and archival administration, translation, and communications, journalism and media studies.

The internship is a three-month programme. Interns do not receive any remuneration. A limited number of scholarships are available from the Trust Fund for the Law of the Sea for nationals of OECD-designated developing countries; recipients receive a monthly allowance to assist with living expenses and may receive assistance with travel costs.

• Completed online application form
• Covering letter (no more than one page)
• Resume/CV
• Optional: research sample (max 10 pages, in English or French), proof of university enrolment, degrees/diplomas, course transcripts, references and language certificates

All documents accompanying the application should be in either English or French.

Applications must be submitted through the online application form on the official ITLOS website. The Internship Coordinator contacts all applicants by email approximately one month after the closure of the application period.