2027 United Nations Regional Course in International Law for Africa
In-person international law training course in Addis Ababa, with fellowships covering participation costs and a modest living stipend for selected participants.
2027 United Nations Regional Course in International Law for Africa
The United Nations Regional Course in International Law for Africa is an in-person professional training program in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The 2027 course runs from March 15 to April 7, and applications are open through October 30, 2026. It is intended for legal professionals with international law experience who can attend the entire course. Selected participants may receive fellowships covering several participation costs and a modest living stipend. The official pages do not state the stipend amount or the number of fellowship places, so applicants should verify funding details rather than assume a cash award value. Application information · Financial arrangements
At a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Organizer | UN Office of Legal Affairs, Codification Division |
| Format and place | In person, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
| Course dates | March 15–April 7, 2027 |
| Language and size | English; up to 30 participants |
| Deadline | October 30, 2026 |
| Eligibility in brief | Legal background, international law work experience, fluent English, full-course availability, and nationality from an African Group member state of the UN |
| Fellowship support | Travel, accommodation, meals, medical insurance, training materials, plus a modest stipend for other living expenses |
| Apply | Use the English form linked from the official application page |
Course format and fellowship details
The course uses interactive seminars and discussion on international law topics. Participants receive training materials, and certificates require completion of the full course. This is a scheduled in-person commitment, not a remote course: the published dates are March 15 through April 7, 2027, in Addis Ababa. Make sure you can be present for the whole period before applying. Regional Courses overview · Africa application information
For selected fellows, support covers travel, accommodation, meals, medical insurance, and training materials, as well as a modest stipend for other living expenses. The UN says accommodation is provided without charge. Stipend rates follow UN regulations and may vary by year. The available information does not provide a precise stipend figure or a travel-cost cap, so those amounts should be confirmed with the Codification Division if they affect your decision. When estimating your own costs, separate listed fellowship coverage from expenses whose treatment is not described. The supplied summary gives covered categories but no caps, payment timing, or stipend figure; do not treat missing detail as a confirmed benefit. If your participation depends on a particular cost being covered, clarify that point with the UN before relying on it. Financial arrangements · Frequently asked questions
The course plans for up to 30 participants, but that is not a published count of funded fellowships. The number of fellowship places is not stated. A limited number of self-funded places are also available; the brief does not state their price or confirm that they carry the same benefits. Treat funding as unconfirmed until the UN provides terms for your application. Application information · Financial arrangements
Who should apply and eligibility
Applicants must come from a UN Member State that is also a member of the African Group. They need a legal background, professional experience in international law, fluent English, and the ability to attend the entire course. Current UN staff members are ineligible. These are the stated eligibility conditions; interest in international affairs alone does not replace the required legal background and work experience. Check the official application page against your own circumstances before preparing the form. In particular, the country condition has two parts: the state must be a UN Member State and must belong to the African Group. If you are unsure whether it qualifies, verify against current UN information or ask the Codification Division before investing time in an application. Application information
Eligible applicants can include academics and professionals at intergovernmental, nongovernmental, and similar institutions. The course is therefore not restricted to government nominees. The FAQ does say that a sponsoring institution fills certain parts of the form, but also says applicants may submit the completed form directly to the Codification Division. Follow the form’s directions for sponsor sections without assuming that a government nomination is required. Frequently asked questions
Selection considers qualifications, professional duties, the relevance of the course to those duties, and gender balance. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. These considerations help applicants assess fit, but the UN does not publish acceptance odds or promise selection based on any one factor. A useful application should make the connection between the applicant’s real responsibilities and international law clear, using accurate examples rather than broad claims. Application information
How to apply
Start at the official 2027 Africa application page and use its English application form. The linked form is a Word document. Read it fully before completing it so you can see which sections are for you and which are to be completed by a sponsoring institution. The FAQ confirms that an applicant may send the completed form directly to the Codification Division. Application information · Frequently asked questions
A practical sequence is:
- Download the form from the 2027 Africa application page and confirm it is for this course.
- Read all instructions and mark any sections assigned to a sponsoring institution.
- Complete your sections accurately, then coordinate with the relevant institution for sections assigned to it, if applicable.
- Explain your qualifications, professional duties, and how the course relates to those duties. These are published selection factors, not additional form requirements.
- Check the form for its attachment list, file-format directions, and submission instructions.
- Submit the completed form to the Codification Division using the current directions on the form or application page. Keep a copy and a record of submission for your own reference; this is optional preparation advice.
As a final quality check, compare each answer with the form instructions, confirm any sponsor sections are complete where applicable, and make sure each requested attachment opens and follows the specified format. These are sensible review steps, not a separate UN checklist.
The available brief does not reproduce the form’s full attachment checklist or give a submission email or postal address. Therefore, do not rely on an assumed CV, reference, degree certificate, passport copy, or other document list. Follow what the current Word form actually requests. Likewise, use the address or transmission method shown in the official application materials, not one inferred from another UN page. If a form section, attachment, or submission instruction is unclear, verify it with the Codification Division before sending the application. Application information · Frequently asked questions
Timeline and deadlines
The deadline is October 30, 2026. The course is scheduled for March 15–April 7, 2027, in Addis Ababa. It will be conducted in English, in person, for up to 30 participants. These are the confirmed dates, location, language, format, and cohort size in the application information. Application information
The brief does not specify a deadline time or time zone, when applicants will be notified, or how long selected applicants have to confirm. Submit before the final day if you can and follow any cutoff shown on the current application page or form. If you need a decision date for leave, travel, or institutional planning, ask the Codification Division rather than assuming when results will arrive. Do not treat an application as confirmed participation; wait for official communication.
Preparation and common mistakes
The suggestions here are preparation advice, not additional program rules. Before writing, compare your background with the four stated selection considerations: qualifications, professional duties, course relevance, and gender balance. For the first three, prepare concise, truthful examples that show your actual international law work and why the course relates to it. The UN has not published a scoring rubric or acceptance odds, so do not present a particular profile as a guarantee. Application information
Check your calendar for the full March 15–April 7 period before applying. Since full attendance is required and the course is in person, consider work obligations and the time needed to coordinate any sponsoring-institution sections. The brief does not make employer permission a separate eligibility condition; this is simply a practical way to avoid submitting when you cannot attend. Application information · Frequently asked questions
Verify every requested document against the Word form. The information pages in the brief do not contain a complete checklist, so adding a generic list would risk misleading applicants. Prepare only what the current form requests and follow its file instructions. Common mistakes to avoid include confusing the 30-person course capacity with fellowship places, assuming the stipend has a fixed amount, treating selection factors as guaranteed preferences, or using an unofficial submission address. Application information · Financial arrangements
Frequently asked questions
Is the course fully funded?
Selected fellows receive travel, accommodation, meals, medical insurance, training materials, and a modest stipend for other living costs. The accommodation is free, but the amount of the stipend and the number of fellowship places are not stated in the supplied information. A limited number of self-funded places are also mentioned, without a published price. Check the current financial-arrangements page or ask the Codification Division about terms relevant to your application. Financial arrangements · Frequently asked questions
Is a government nomination necessary?
The brief says no such nomination is required: eligible academics and professionals from intergovernmental, nongovernmental, and similar institutions may apply, and the applicant may submit the form directly. A sponsoring institution does fill designated sections, so follow the form on whether that applies to you. Frequently asked questions
Can a current UN employee apply?
No. Current UN staff members are ineligible. Applicants must also satisfy the nationality, legal background, international law experience, English fluency, and full-attendance conditions. Application information
What documents are required, and when are decisions sent?
The supplied pages do not summarize the complete attachment checklist or state a decision-notification schedule. Use the Word form linked on the application page for documents and submission instructions. Ask the Codification Division about the decision timeline if you need it for planning. Application information
Official sources
- 2027 course application information: eligibility, dates, selection considerations, and form.
- Financial arrangements: covered fellowship costs.
- Frequently asked questions: sponsoring-institution sections, direct submission, accommodation, and stipend variability.
- Regional Courses in International Law: seminar format, training materials, and course-completion certificates.
Confirm current instructions through these official pages and the linked form. The stipend amount, number of fellowship places, full attachment checklist, decision schedule, and any deadline cutoff time remain unconfirmed in the supplied brief.