2023 INTERNSHIPS – CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
Applications due 30 September 2022
Introduction
The International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT) Scholarship,
Internship and Research Programme is currently accepting applications for internships to be undertaken in 2023.
UNIDROIT is offering internship opportunities for exceptional later year undergraduate and
postgraduate law students to work with the UNIDROIT Secretariat for a period of three months in 2023. While majority of the internship positions are unpaid, a limited number of stipends (600€ per month) may be made available for the top candidates, with preference given to applicants from developing countries. Candidates must be able to speak and write English and/or French to a professional legal standard.
Internships are to be undertaken in-person at the UNIDROIT Headquarters in Rome, Italy.
Remote internships are only possible in extremely limited or exceptional circumstances, to be granted on a case-by-case basis.
Research areas
Candidates may apply for internships in relation to any of UNIDROIT’s work areas, existing
instruments or current projects. During their internship, interns will be supervised by a UNIDROIT Officer with responsibility for the relevant work area, instrument or project. During their internship, interns will work on a variety of matters, including conducting research on specific aspects of the assigned subject and prepare concept notes, draft documents, reports of meetings and translations.
To support the UNIDROIT 2023 – 2025 Work Programme, special consideration will be given to applications for internships on the following topics (candidates may indicate their interest in working on matters related to more than one work area or project):
1. Secured Transactions
a. The Cape Town Convention and its Aircraft, Rail, Space and Mining, Agricultural and
Construction (MAC) Protocols;
b. Development of a Model Law on Factoring
c. Development of a UNCITRAL/UNIDROIT Model Law on Warehouse Receipts
d. Possible future Protocols to the Cape Town Convention (Maritime Protocol and Renewable
Energy Equipment Protocol)
2. Agricultural Law and Development
a. The Legal Guide on Agricultural Land Investment Contracts
b. Development of a guidance document on the Legal Structure of Agricultural Enterprises
c. Implementation of the UNIDROIT/FAO/IFAD Legal Guide on Contract Farming
3. Law and Technology
a. Development of a guidance document on Digital Assets and Private Law
4. Civil procedure and enforcement
a. Development of Best Practices for Effective Enforcement
5. International Commercial Contracts
a. The UNIDROIT Principles on International Commercial Contracts
b. Development of Principles on International Investment Contracts
6. Capital Markets and Bank Insolvency
a. Development of harmonised rules for bank insolvencies
7. Cultural property
a. The 1995 Convention on Stolen or Illegally Exported Cultural Objects
b. Private art collections
8. Sustainable Development and Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance
a. Development of a guidance document on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence in Global
Value Chains
b. Legal nature of Voluntary Carbon Credits
9. The relationship between Islamic Law and UNIDROIT instruments
a. The compatibility of the Cape Town Convention system with Islamic Finance Rules
Application process
Interns are selected on a competitive basis and positions are limited.
To apply for an internship, candidates must submit the following documents in English or
French:
(i) a short cover letter that addresses (a) why the candidate wants to undertake an internship at UNIDROIT, (b) specifies the project(s) or instruments they wish to work on, and (c) notes the period(s) in 2023 in which they would be available to undertake their internship.
(ii) their Curriculum Vitae (CV).
Candidates will be assessed on (i) their cover letter, (ii) CV and (iii) their English/French
proficiency, taking into account the needs of the Institute.
Applications can be submitted to the Coordinator of the Scholarship, Internship and Research Programme, Ms Laura Tikanvaara: l.tikanvaara@unidroit.org.
Funding
10. Interns are required to provide for their own travel, accommodation, living and personal insurance costs while undertaking their internships in Rome. Unfortunately, Rome can be an expensive city and the 600€ monthly stipend that UNIDROIT provides to a limited number of interns is not sufficient to cover living costs. In addition to flight costs, costs for accommodation, food, transport and entertainment can be between 1000€ – 2000€ per month.
11. UNIDROIT encourages applicants to seek other sources of funding to cover the costs of
undertaking their internships, including through their universities or third party institutions (such as Erasmus). As the UNIDROIT stipend is not sufficient to cover all travel and living costs, interns who receive UNIDROIT stipends are also permitted to seek funding from other sources.
12. To avoid unnecessary administrative costs for UNIDROIT and disappointment for applicants, candidates are requested not to apply unless they have access to sufficient funding to undertake an internship in Rome, by way of scholarships and/or personal savings.
Timeline
Applications are due by 30 September 2022. Short-listing and interviews will be undertaken
in October and November 2022. Candidates will be informed of the outcome of their application by
the end of December 2022.
