Internship Scholarships

Internships are a valuable way to increase chances of securing pupillage or tenancy.

The Inn aims to support members who wish to undertake, either in the UK or overseas, study, work experience or internships which will increase their chances of securing pupillage or tenancy.

The awards provided by Gray’s Inn and overseen by the Inn’s Scholarships Committee are specifically aimed at student members of the Inn and those members who are yet to secure pupillage. The aim of the Internship Scholarship programme is to broaden experience with a view to strengthening applications for pupillage, whether that be through education, research or work experience opportunities. 

Applicants are expected to identify the placement, opportunity or course of study themselves before applying for the scholarship. The Scholarships Committee may ask the successful applicant to report on the period of study following its completion.

Internship Scholarships do not support funding of an LL.M.

There are also a number of Inn scholarships available to all the Inns' students or early practitioners. These scholarships are administered by one Inn on behalf of all four.

2021 Applications  

The next Internship Scholarship application period (for students intending to study the vocational component from September 2022):

• opens 17 September 2021
• closes 5 November 2021

*Please email the scholarships team for further information if your pupillage does not commence in the Autumn. 

If shortlisted, interviews will be held 7-9 March 2022 (exact interview dates will be published on the online application form).

Gray’s Inn Internship Scholarships can be applied for online. You will be asked to provide evidence of the placement for which you are applying and the likely costs.

Apply via our online Internship Scholarship application form. 

All awards will be judged by a panel against the merit assessment criteria.  Following initial application, you may be asked to attend a short interview online or at the Inn.

Gray’s Inn Internship Awards

Successful applicants for Internship Scholarships may be awarded one of the following named scholarships, which will be allocated by the Inn:

• The Michael Mustill Scholarship*
• The Churchill Scholarship
• The David Karmel European Scholarship
• The Graham Challis European Scholarship

*The only named scholarship for which applicants must specify a preference in their application is the Michael Mustill Scholarship. 

The Michael Mustill Scholarship

The purpose of the Michael Mustill Scholarship is to enable the recipient to undertake further study, an internship or work placement in the field of Arbitration.  This scholarship award is funded by the International Dispute Resolution Centre to commemorate the life and work of Michael Mustill. 

The Michael Mustill Scholarship is aimed at student members of the Inn and those members who are yet to secure pupillage, who are interested in Alternative Dispute Resolution relating to any practice area.  The Michael Mustill Scholarship is available to fund internships or work placements, or additional arbitration-related study, attendance at relevant conferences, competitions or research opportunities. 

Lord Mustill was Called to the Bar by Gray’s Inn in 1955 and was made a Bencher in 1976.  He was one of the great figures of international and domestic arbitration, as a practitioner, scholar, judge and arbitrator. 

Scholarships administered by other Inns  

Pegasus Scholarships

The four Inns support the Pegasus Scholarship Scheme which offers tenants and employed barristers within five years of practice the opportunity to travel abroad and work as lawyers in other common law jurisdictions and the European Union.   

A host law firm assists the scholar to find accommodation and provides expenses. Scholarships usually start in July and last for three months, but arrangements are necessarily dependent on what is suitable to the host firm. There are up to 12 scholarships annually to the following countries: Uganda, Bermuda, India, Dubai, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Singapore, USA and countries of the EU. The Trust also welcomes the opportunity to support scholars in placements they have personally arranged.

• Applications usually open in October and close in November
• Open to tenants and employed barristers of the four Inns within five years of practice
• Funded by the four Inns of Court
• Administered by Inner Temple
• Further information is available from Inner Temple

Harold G. Fox Scholarships

The Harold G. Fox Fund was established to enable members of the Inns to undertake a one year ‘placement’ in the litigation department of a large Toronto law firm, arranged by the Trustees of the Fund in Toronto, or a post-graduate degree at a university in Ontario for which candidates make their own arrangements.

• Applications usually close in January
• Open to members of the four Inns that are under five years’ Call, or about to be called
• Administered by Middle Temple
• Further information is available from Middle Temple

The Hon. Sir Peter Bristow Scholarship

One annual scholarship of £9,000 is made to a member of an Inn to study for five months the workings of the Commission of the European Union in Brussels and institutions of the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg. Completion can count towards the second six months of pupillage.

• Applications usually close in January
• Open to members of the four Inns that have been called, or are about to be called
• Administered by Middle Temple
• Further information is available from Middle Temple

EFTA Court, Luxembourg

One or more scholarships may be awarded each year. The scholarship provides for a monthly stipend of €2,500 to enable the recipient after qualification as a barrister (i.e. a student post Bar Course or a young barrister) to spend three months under supervision in the chambers of President Carl Baudenbacher. Applicants need to have a strong interest in and demonstrate a good knowledge of EU/EEA law.

• Applications usually close in May
• Open to members of the four Inns that have been called, or are about to be called
• Administered by Lincoln's Inn
• Further information is available from Lincoln's Inn