ITLOS Internship Programme 2027 in Germany – International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea

This placement is particularly relevant to students of law, public international law, international maritime law and related disciplines.

2. Library and Archives

The Library and Archives department maintains specialised collections and records relating to international law and the work of the Tribunal.

Interns may assist with:

• Cataloguing books and other research materials.
• Maintaining library databases and electronic resources.
• Processing and organising documents.
• Compiling bibliographies.
• Supporting the management of archival records.
• Assisting library users with research resources and library technology.

This department is especially suitable for students of library science, information management, archival administration and related fields.

3. Linguistic Services

ITLOS uses English and French as its official languages. The Linguistic Services department supports the translation and revision of legal, judicial and administrative documents.

Interns may participate in:

• Translation-related research and document preparation.
• Terminology research.
• Text alignment for translation memory systems.
• Maintaining databases of official documents.
• Compiling glossaries and terminology resources.
• Referencing and reviewing translated materials.

Applicants interested in this department should have relevant translation or language training and the ability to work with the required languages.

4. Press Office

The Press Office manages the Tribunal's public-information activities and communication with the media and general public.

Interns may assist with:

• Preparing press releases and public-information materials.
• Responding to enquiries from journalists and members of the public.
• Reviewing and archiving media coverage.
• Preparing presentation materials.
• Supporting the organisation of official visits and events.
• Assisting with website and social media content.

This placement is particularly relevant to students of journalism, communication, media studies, public relations and international relations.

Duration and working arrangements

The internship period covered by this call is:

• Start: July 2027
• End: September 2027
• Duration: Approximately three months
• Location: Hamburg, Germany
• Working arrangement: Full-time, in person

ITLOS normally organises its internships in four periods each year: January–March, April–June, July–September and October–December. Applicants who have different university vacation dates may indicate their exact availability in the application form, although the Tribunal cannot guarantee that alternative dates will be accommodated.

The Tribunal offers approximately 20 internships each year across its programme.

Eligibility requirements

The programme is open to applicants from different countries. However, candidates must satisfy the Tribunal's academic, age and language requirements.

Applicants should:

1. Have completed at least three years of university studies.

Candidates must have completed a minimum of three years of university education before applying.

2. Be enrolled in a university programme or be a recent graduate.

Applicants are normally expected to be enrolled in a degree-granting or postgraduate programme at the time of application and during the internship.

Recent graduates may also apply if they graduated within the 12 months preceding their application.

The Tribunal's FAQ states that people who have already started working and are neither students nor recent graduates are not eligible.

3. Meet the age guideline.

Applicants should normally not be more than 32 years old.

4. Have good language skills.

Applicants should have a good command of English and/or French.

Candidates applying to Linguistic Services should have the relevant language and translation skills required for that department.

5. Demonstrate an interest in the Tribunal's work.

Applicants should demonstrate an interest in one or more areas connected to the Tribunal's responsibilities, including:

• International law and the law of the sea.
• International relations and international affairs.
• International organisations and institutions.
• Political science.
• Public information and communications.
• Library science and archival administration.
• Translation.

The Tribunal also considers geographical diversity and gender balance when selecting candidates.

Is the ITLOS internship fully funded?

No. The internship is generally unpaid, and applicants should understand the financial arrangements before applying.

Interns are normally responsible for paying for:

• International travel to and from Hamburg.
• Accommodation.
• Food and daily living expenses.
• German visa costs, where applicable.
• Medical and accident insurance.

However, limited financial assistance is available through the Trust Fund for the Law of the Sea. The fund was established to assist eligible participants from developing countries with the costs associated with undertaking an internship at the Tribunal.

Eligible recipients may receive a monthly allowance towards living expenses and financial assistance with travel costs.

To qualify for this assistance, applicants must:

• Be nationals of a developing country included on the OECD list referred to by ITLOS.
• Normally reside in that developing country.
• Demonstrate a need for financial assistance to cover travel and living expenses in Hamburg.

Applicants who wish to be considered for funding must indicate their interest in the online application form. Funding is limited and is not guaranteed simply because an applicant meets the eligibility conditions.

The Tribunal does not automatically provide free accommodation, a salary or full travel sponsorship to every intern.

Documents required for the application

Applicants should prepare the following documents:

1. Completed online application form

The official application form must be completed with accurate personal, academic and professional information. Applicants should specify their preferred internship period and relevant department where requested.

2. Cover letter

A cover letter of no more than one page is required.

It should explain:

• Why the applicant wants to undertake an internship at ITLOS.
• How the internship relates to their academic background and career plans.
• What they hope to learn from the experience.
• How they expect to benefit from working with an international judicial institution.

The letter should be specific to the Tribunal rather than a generic application letter.

3. Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Applicants should provide an updated CV showing their academic qualifications, relevant experience, research activities, language abilities and other relevant skills.

4. Research work sample

Applicants may include a brief research sample written in English or French, preferably on a topic relevant to the Tribunal's work. The sample should not exceed 10 pages.

5. Academic documents

Applicants should prepare copies of relevant documents, including:

• Proof of current university enrolment, where applicable.
• University degree certificates or diplomas.
• A list of courses taken or academic transcript.

6. References

Applicants should provide references as requested by the application process.

7. Language certificates

Language certificates may be included where relevant to demonstrate proficiency.

The Tribunal's FAQ identifies the online application form, cover letter and CV as obligatory documents, while the research sample, academic records, references and language certificates are listed as optional or relevant supporting materials. Applicants should nevertheless prepare the supporting documents where applicable and follow the requirements displayed in the online form.

Incomplete applications will not be considered. The online application portal also limits each uploaded file to 1 MB.

How to apply for the ITLOS Internship

Applications must be submitted through the Tribunal's official online application system.

Follow these steps:

1. Visit the official ITLOS internship application page.
2. Read the eligibility requirements and information about the available internship departments.
3. Complete the online application form and select the July–September 2027 internship period.
4. Prepare a one-page cover letter explaining your interest in the Tribunal and how the placement supports your academic and career goals.
5. Upload your updated CV.
6. Attach relevant research work, academic documents, references and language certificates where applicable.
7. If you are eligible for financial assistance and need it, indicate your intention to apply for support from the Trust Fund for the Law of the Sea in the application form.
8. Review all information and submit the completed application before the deadline.

Applicants should retain the automatic email confirmation received after submitting the online form. If no confirmation arrives, ITLOS advises contacting the Press Office.

After the application period closes, applications are reviewed by the Internship Selection Committee. The final decision is taken by the Registrar with the approval of the President of the Tribunal. Applicants are normally contacted by email approximately one month after the application deadline.

Practical application advice

Although a law degree is not compulsory for every internship placement, applicants should select a department that closely matches their academic training and abilities.

For example, a law student interested in maritime disputes and international legal practice should explain their interest in the Legal Office. A journalism or communication student may be better suited to the Press Office, while a library and information science student should highlight their experience with cataloguing, research databases and information management.

Your cover letter should demonstrate that you understand what the selected department does. Mention relevant university courses, research projects, writing experience, language abilities or practical skills that would help you contribute to its work.

Applicants interested in the Legal Office should consider including a research sample on public international law, maritime boundaries, marine environmental protection, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea or another relevant topic.

Also, do not assume that the internship will cover your expenses. Since most interns must finance their own participation, applicants should assess their ability to cover travel, accommodation, insurance and living costs. Those who need assistance should request consideration for the Trust Fund when completing the application rather than waiting until after submission.

Important dates

• Internship period: July–September 2027
• Application deadline: 31 December 2026

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered for this internship period.