Admission

The Summer Academy will annually provide some 40 participants from all over the world with the opportunity to broaden their knowledge and skills in International Law of the Sea and Maritime Law.

It is designed for highly qualified graduates, diplomats, civil servants and advocates. A rigorous selection procedure in close cooperation with the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea applies.

In general, applicants should not be older than 40 years of age. The Selection Committe might grant exceptions subject to availability of places; however, financial aid will not be granted in such cases.

Requirements

As a rule, applicants are expected to be in possession of a Master’s degree (LL.M. or equivalent) and to have an advanced knowledge of public international law, Law of the Sea or Maritime Law.

Exceptions may be granted to Bachelors (LL.B.or equivalent) with either a Master course in progress or professional tasks related to the curriculum of the Summer Academy.

The Selection Committe might also grant very few exceptions – subject to availability of places – for undergraduates close to graduation with excellent results and academic focus on Public International Law, Law of the Sea or Maritime Law. Undergraduates are, however, not eligible for financial aid.

Participants must have a good command of English (to be documented by a TOEFL Certificate or equivalent, unless native language or proof of an academic program with thesis, taught in English). Conversational proficiency in French will be considered an asset.

Applications need to be accompanied by two recent Letters of Recommendation.

The Course

The Summer Academy will take place over a period of four weeks with two modules of two weeks, the first focussing on International Law of the Sea and the second on Maritime Law from an international perspective, interspersed by lectures from other scientific areas connected to the maritime environment.

Course materials

Abstracts, Readers, Presentations and other material will be made available online in a password protected area of this website; participants need to register online to access the material.

Certificate

Upon completion of the course, participants will receive a participation certificate issued by the Foundation. There will be an exam that – if taken successfully – entitles participants to receive a qualified certificate.

Course Fees

The course fees are determined on an annual basis and cover Tuition (lectures and course materials), courseday lunches, public transport in Hamburg and a programme of extra-curricular activities.

Accommodation will be provided to recipients of a full scholarship per default, and to other participants should they wish it. Such participants are accommodated at Apartment 040, a serviced apartment hotel in Hamburg Mundsburg.

Scholarships

Subject to availability of supporters, the Foundation will award a limited number of scholarships, covering the Course Fees. Full Scholarships also include an accommodation allowance.

Travel Grants

The Foundation might also grant financial support for international travel to and from Hamburg. Such Travel Grants are very rare and strictly reserved for participants from developing countries, as defined in the OECD list (PDF). The Foundation will book such transport at its discretion from and to the participant’s domicile at the time of application.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

More information is to be found here.