Government officials and members of the legal profession, not only academics and practitioners but also law students from all over the world, are welcome to use the UNIDROIT Library, subject to the Librarian's approval of their application. Applicants may use such approval to support their requests to potential sponsors (which may be the institution to which they belong, private or public donors, sponsoring institutions that promote legal research and legal reform, etc.) to finance their stay in Rome. Projects relating to UNIDROIT’s past legislative activities as well as subjects on the current UNIDROIT Work Programme are given special attention in this connection. A good working knowledge of English and/or French is indispensable.

The UNIDROIT Library is more than just a study centre for those who take part in the legislative activities of the Organisation and for visiting researchers; it is also a meeting-place for people of different legal cultures where the legislative work being carried out by UNIDROIT for more than three quarters of a century constitutes a stimulus for research in the exceptional setting of the Villa Aldobrandini located right in the centre of Rome.

In line with UNIDROIT’s legal co-operation activities, a Research Scholarships Programme has been set up for top-level lawyers, with special attention given to applicants from developing countries or countries in economic transition. Since 1993, when the Programme was first launched, it has hosted roughly 200 researchers from some 60 countries. Between 12 and 15 scholarships are awarded each year for an average research period of two months.

Candidates who are not granted a scholarship may nevertheless be accepted for a period of independent research at their own expense.

For more information contact Laura Tikanvaara: l.tikanvaara@unidroit.org or see the leaflet here.