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Deadline: June 9, 2008

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LL.M in Public Law and Human Rights Graduate Scholarship (2008/09)

Scholarships for Studies and Expenses

Scholarship/ Financial aid:  Full for selected students

Deadline: 9 June 2008

Open to: Students that hold an undergraduate degree in law or comparable degree and are nationals of the countries listed under the heading „Eligibility Requirements”. Additional information is also available at: www.rgsl.edu.lv.

Terms of Announcement:

Purpose

The Riga Graduate School of Law announces Scholarships for an LL.M degree with a specialization in Public International Law and Human Rights funded by the Open Society Institute (OSI). Eligible students currently are being recruited to apply for the Riga Graduate School of Law (RGSL) Scholars Programme. The programme provides expertise in Public International Law and Human Rights and also offers courses in European Law. The programme is competitive and very prestigious. The Programme is based at the RGSL located in Riga, Latvia. It is open to all persons who hold an undergraduate degree in law or a comparable degree, such as political science or international relations, or will be awarded a degree prior to admission to the programme. The 2008/09 Scholars Class starts on 15 September 2008.

The purpose of these scholarships is to support students who have demonstrated academic excellence in law or a comparable field of study and have a demonstrated commitment to work in the field of public law, human rights, or public service.

Overview

Scholarships are available to students from Russia, Byelorussia, Ukraine and South Eastern Europe and Central Eurasia regions (see eligible countries below). Each scholarship recipient will receive an amount covering tuition and fees for the LL.M study programme. An additional scholarship is allocated for travel, accommodation and incidental education expenses. Students granted a scholarship must write their master’s thesis in the field of public international law or human rights. Priority will be given to students who commit to work in any of the following areas upon completion of the program:  human rights, public law and public service.  Furthermore, RGSL seeks to recruit students who have worked within an organization with which OSI has a relationship already, or students who are willing to work with such an organization upon completion of the program. In the application, students are required to provide specific detail on their expectations work in a related field upon completion of the program.

Eligibility       

Applicants must:

(1) Satisfy standard RGSL entry requirements (with respect to educational background and English proficiency);
(2)  Have experience in the fields of public international law or human rights for a minimum of one year;
(3)   Indicate in the application: current place of employment and specify in detail the applicant's plan to return to work in the field of public service after completing the LL.M programme.

 (4)   Eligible countries:

1)      Russia;
2)      Belarus;
3)      Ukraine;
4)     all countries listed in region of South Eastern Europe: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, and Serbia;
5)      all countries listed in  region of Central Eurasia: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan.

Application process Checklist           

The following should be submitted by 9 June 2008:

• the completed Application Form;
• two recommendation letters from a professional or academic contact describing the applicant’s academic record, achievements and activities (research, community service, and programme development) in Public International Law, Human Rights or related discipline;
• a personal statement from the applicant that describes the insights he or she gained from achievements and activities (research, community service, and programme development) in Public International Law or Human Rights. The limit is two pages with 1.5 spacing (Times New Roman).

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Applications for RGSL Scholars Programme are available on-line through:  www.rgsl.edu.lv.
Please send your applications by mail to Riga Graduate School of Law, Strelnieku iela 4 k2, Riga LV 1010, Latvia
or e-mail: llm@rgsl.edu.lv
Telephone: +371 6703 206, +371 6703 200.