Frequently Asked Questions

This will always be work in progress as we learn with almost every new contact.

 

APPLICATION

I'm an undergraduate and took an interest in the Law of the Sea; does it make sense to apply ?  

You might stand a certain chance to be considered, if you are advanced in your legal studies, preferably close to graduation, obtained excellent grades and focussed on public International Law, Law of the Sea or Maritime Law. Your letters of Reference need to be written by your supervising tutors and to state as to whether attendance would be beneficial to yourself and your classmates. You will, however, not be eligible for any financial support.

I'm currently attending a Master's program und would like to attend; would I be eligible ?

An admission would depend on several further circumstances, e.g., quality of your Bachelor exam and the topics of your Master's course. You would also have to demonstrate an intense interest in Law of the Sea / Maritime Law and provide excellent references, preferably from your tutors.

I own a Master's degree but have never touched Law of the Sea so far; I'm interested to close that gap - should I submit an application ?

Your application would be considered. However, a Master's degree is only one requirement. Admission might be granted depending on number and qualification of other candidates.

After graduating from Law School, I chose to take employment and never got around to do an LL.M. Could I join the Academy anyway ?  

It is possible but would clearly depend very much on whether your current occupation is closely related to Law of the Sea or Maritime Law. As a practitioner in this field, you stand a fair chance.

I'm not a lawyer, but have a Master's certificate in another area. Nevertheless, I'm interested in the Law of the Sea and would like to broaden my horizon - would you consider my submission ?

Yes, but you clearly need to demonstrate a strong link between your current occupation and / or career and the topics of the Summer Academy. Although the focus of the Academy is on legal issues, related topics are covered as well.

Unfortunately, I cannot get away from my job for 4 consequtive weeks; is part-time attendance an option?

As a rule, we do not offer part time arrangements. We might grant an exception, if places are available. You will, however, not be entitled to a Certificate and not eligible for any financial aid. A partial refund of the Course Fees (other than Tuition) will be made and decided on a case-by-case basis.

Can I share attendance with a colleague, i.e. one attending the first two weeks and the other the remainder for one course fee ?

Subject to availability of places, time-sharing is an option, if both candidates would qualify for full attendance. Neither will, however, be entitled to a Certificate and eligible for any financial aid. Both parties need to pay Tuition; the remainder of the Course fee will be evenly split.

When will I be informed about the result of my application ?

After submitting your electronic or fax application, you will receive a reply informing you that your application has been received. If you are obviously not qualified to attend, the Summer Academy Management will also inform you that your application should be withdrawn and will not be submitted to the Selection Committee.

Within 3 weeks after closure of the application period, the Foundation's Selection Committee will finalise the list of participants and you will be notified as to whether your application was successful or you have been positioned on the waiting list or admission could not be granted. That decision is final.

Enquiries prior to that time will not yield any results; the Selection Committee will neither decide on specific cases beforehand nor advise about the chances of admission or your place on the waiting list. There is also no sense whatsoever in trying to approach functionaries of the Foundation directly.

What happens if I miss the deadline ?

If you do not submit an electronic or fax application in time, the website application function will be closed for good and you will have to wait for the next Summer Academy in the following year.

If your application in writing with the necessary documents does not arrive at the Foundation's office on time, your application will have to be dismissed on formal grounds as the Selection Committee will have no opportunity to review your credentials. Confirmation of receipt of these documents will only be provided upon request.

However, if you find it difficult to meet the deadline (e.g. still waiting for recommendation letters or degree certificates or TOEFL results or distrust the mail service) let us know and the Foundation will try to accommodate your needs. We will always accept specific documents to be e-mailed as pdf. format before the deadline, provided that the originals are presented closely thereafter. Within reason, we will also wait for recommendation letters, provided you have named the person(s) to write the letter(s) of reference. Recommendations by direct e-mail or fax from the referee might also be accepted.

Are any Fee Reductions or Discounts on offer ?

Although we encourage people to join their classmates at the accommodation provided by the Foundation, we allow exceptions for self-funding participants

a) residing in or close to Hamburg who chose to stay at their usual accommodation
b)  preferring to organise their own accommodation in Hamburg

Their fee will be reduced by 90% of the cost of accomodation. They will, however, have to take care of their own breakfast. There will also be no further pick-up points for bus excursions. If you choose to organise your own accommodation, please note that the Foundation will not be able to provide any assistance whatsoever. In particular, we neither accept any obligation vis-á-vis your landlord nor guarantee accommodation should your own attempt fail for whatever reason.

Do I get a refund, if I do not attend the extracurricular events, the excursions in particular ?

These parts of the program are organised for the whole Class, booked and paid in advance and attendance is obligatory. Leave of absence may be asked for and granted within reason but does not entitle to any refund.

 

SCHOLARSHIPS

I'm from a country registered on the OECD list - is that sufficient for a scholarship being granted ?

Clearly not. Firstly, scholarships are not reserved for participants from developing countries although such applicants may be preferred given equal qualification. Secondly, the OECD listing is only one requirement to determine rating, the other being need for financial assistance, which is to be certified within the application. The Foundation reserves the right to request evidence of your inability to cover the Course Fee and other expenses. This is especially likely if you are employed. If in doubt, ask us beforehand; of course, such delicate matters are treated confidentially. This is certainly better than being summarily dismissed due to doubtful financial needs.

I'm of a nationality eligible for scholarship preference but work / study outside my home country; does that jeopardise grant of a scholarship ?

Not in principle, as eligibility is determined by nationality regardless of the country of domicile. However, you should expect the Foundation to question your financial needs (see above). You also need to note that a Travel Grant may not be awarded and if so, only from and to your current domicile.

If you are living in Hamburg or its vicinity at the time of application, you are expected to retain your current accommodation for the duration of the Summer Academy; accordingly, only a partial scholarship excluding accomodation can be granted; Travel Grants will not be awarded in such cases.

I'm aware that access to the Summer Academy could also be based on a scholarship by the Nippon Foundation through the "Capacity-Building and Training Programme on Dispute Settlement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea" at the Tribunal; does it make sense to submit applications for both programs ?

Applications for both programs are admissible in priciple. The award of scholarships under the Nippon program is decided by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) and information about applications will be exchanged with the Foundation, double applications identified and decisions mutually agreed. However, within the scholarship application form you declare and certify that you are not applying for other funds. As a scholarship grant from another institution, including the Nippon program, would be such "other funds", you need to state parallel application in your form or inform us separately about it.

If I had applied for a scholarship which subsequently could not be granted, could I gain admission as a self-funding participant ?

The application form contains the question as to whether you would like to attend in case a scholarship cannot be granted. Only if you answer "Yes", you stay in the race and the Foundation will notify you, if and when a vacation for a self-funding candidate opens. If you answer "No", you cannot make up your mind at a later stage, especially not after you have been notified that your application was unsuccessful.

I understand that a scholarship covers the Course Fee. Is there any further contribution to living costs in Hamburg ?

The answer to this question depends on the rules and regulations of the sponsor funding a scholarship. Currently, sponsors do not allow for any pocket money or other cash subsidies being granted. Furthermore, the Foundation expects scholars to contribute to their stay in Hamburg, given the fact that certain costs at home are saved while being here.

 

OTHER

 

What does "Half Board" exactly mean ?

At the accommodation provided by the Foundation, you will get breakfast every day. Lunch is provided Monday to Friday. The absence of lunch on weekends is usually more than compensated by occasional evening events with dinners or BBQs.

As a newcomer to Hamburg, do I get information about the accomodation, travelling around the city, dress code, banking facilities, consulates etc. ?

Upon admission to the Summer Academy you will receive a "Welcome to Hamburg" paper with loads of useful information and once you are here, all sorts of tourist information as well as our special "How to survive in Hamburg" leaflet, covering each and any question we encountered over the last three years. If you have a new one, the Team will try to help and accommodate your needs.