RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIPS PROGRAMMEThe UNIDROIT Library is more than just a study centre for those who take part in the legislative activities of the Organisation and for visiting researchers; it is also a focal point and meeting-place for people of different legal cultures that bears testimony to 80 years’ worth of legislative work by UNIDROIT and thus offers a unique research opportunity in an exceptional setting, that of Villa Aldobrandini located right in the centre of Rome.
In line with UNIDROIT’s legal co-operation activities, a Scholarships Programme has been developed for top-level lawyers, with a special attention given to applicants from developing countries or countries in economic transition. Since 1993, when the Programme was first launched, it has hosted roughly 200 researchers from some 50 countries.
The Programme is funded partly from the general budget of UNIDROIT and by donors.
A scholarship (average duration: two months, minimum duration: six weeks – depending also on the special terms and conditions attached to each single scholarship) may cover all or part of the cost of living in Rome for the designated period, but beneficiaries are in principle expected to meet their own travel expenses.
Scholarships are awarded by the UNIDROIT Governing Council or by the Secretary-General acting on its behalf, upon the recommendation of the Scholarships Committee and applying the following criteria (subject to any specific requirements on the part of donors):
the subject of the candidate’s research project, which must be related to uniform law / international private law (see details of the holdings of the UNIDROIT Library), preference being given to subjects that fit in with the Organisation’s Work Programme;
the project’s potential for practical application in the beneficiary’s country of origin, preference being given to projects relating to the drafting of national laws or which aim at promoting the study, the implementation or the adoption of uniform law instruments;
the candidate's qualifications (“graduate” or “post-graduate”) and position (academic, civil servant, judge, practitioner);
a good working knowledge of English and/or French is indispensable (please attach a certificate of proficiency (TOEFL / DELF level).
Candidates who are not granted a scholarship may nevertheless be accepted for an independent research period at their own expenses (see below).
UNIDROIT Research Scholarships Programme : Regulations
At the end of their stay, scholars are required to submit a report on the research they have carried out at UNIDROIT. Contributions of a sufficiently high scientific level may be submitted for possible publication in the Uniform Law Review / Revue de droit uniforme, subject to acceptance by its Editorial Board.
Applications are to be sent using the form in pdf
together with the requested documents. Advance notice of intent to apply would be appreciated.
UNIDROIT Scholarships,
To the attention of Ms Laura Tikanvaara,
Via Panisperna 28,
00184 Rome, Italy
e-mail : l.tikanvaara@unidroit.org
Second Call for applications for the term 2009-2010 : deadline 15 October 2009 The following scholarships are announced :
Korean Government grant : 1 two-month scholarship targeted to a beneficiary from an East-Asian country
UK Foundation for International Uniform Law grant : 2 two-month scholarships for English-speaking applicants
The Korean Government and the UK Foundation scholarships provide for two-month stays each, tenable in the first semester of 2010, and cover living expenses (accommodation and daily allowance) in Rome for the designated period.
To apply, a thoroughly presented research project is to be submitted in relation to one of the following topics included in the current UNIDROIT Work Programme • Model Law on Leasing • International interests in mobile equipment • Transactions on transnational and connected capital markets (please consult the relevant pages of the UNIDROIT website for information regarding each topic, and see also the details of the holdings of the UNIDROIT Library).
General Call for applications for the term 2010-2011 : deadline 15 April 2010
JOINT SCHOLARSHIPS WITH NATIONAL UNIVERSITIES OR RESEARCH CENTRES
The Secretariat is open to any project for co-operation with national universities or research centres with a view to organising joint scholarships in accordance with the objectives of each of the institutions involved. Possible co-operation formulae include the granting of a UNIDROIT research period as a bonus in the framework of doctoral studies or competitions among young professors, such a period to be funded jointly or sponsored in full by the associated institution or a third party of its choice.
Co-ordinator: Ms Frédérique Mestre : f.mestre@unidroit.org
INDEPENDENT VISITING RESEARCHERS
Government officials and members of the legal profession, in particular academics and practitioners but also law students from all over the world, are welcome to use the UNIDROIT Library, subject to the Librarian's approval of their formal application. Applicants may use such approval to support their requests to potential sponsors (which may be the institution to which they belong, private or public donors, institutions that promote legal research and legal reform, etc.) to finance their stay in Rome. Projects relating to UNIDROIT’s past legislative activities as well as subjects on the current UNIDROIT Work Programme are given special attention in this connection. A good working knowledge of English and/or French is indispensable.
Information: Ms Laura Tikanvaara : l.tikanvaara@unidroit.org