The Inn provides Internship Scholarships to support any Member of the Inn who has yet to secure an award of pupillage. Eligible Members are invited to apply for an Internship Scholarship for relevant work experience, education and training (not postgraduate qualifications) or research opportunities. Applicants must be clear in their answers on the webform as to how their selected placement or course will strengthen a pupillage application. Applications will not be considered if the applicant is proposing a deferral of their Bar Course to complete the course or placement.
Decisions will be made by a panel of barristers from the scholarships committee and the Director of Education, and in some cases where additional clarification is required the applicant may be invited to a short interview. Applicants will be required to evidence acceptance on their course or placement before the scholarship payment is made. A personal contribution towards the cost of the course/ placement will be required.
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.
- Key application dates
Application window for standard Internship Scholarships:
- Opens 3 January 2025
- Closes 28 March 2025
The Michael Mustill Scholarship application window:
- Opens 23 September 2024
- Closes 1 November 2024
Applicants will be informed of the panel’s decision within 8 weeks of the deadline.
- How to apply
Gray’s Inn Internship Scholarships cannot be applied for via the Gray’s Inn Online Scholarship Applications system.
You will be asked to provide evidence of the placement for which you are applying and the likely costs. 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.
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.
Internship Scholarship applications are currently closed.
Michael Mustill Scholarships applications will next open in September 2024
- Merit assessment criteria
Merit assessment criteria
All applications will be considered against the following assessment criteria:
- Drive and determination– possesses drive, determination and a strong work ethic to overcome adversity or achieve goals, whilst remaining calm when under pressure
- Advocacy – can develop well structured, succinct, grammatically correct, and persuasively written argument. As a public speaker can communicate clearly, concisely and persuasively
- Motivation to succeed– demonstrates a clear interest in the Bar and has ambition to become a barrister. Has taken steps to gain an understanding of the profession
- Gray's Inn Internship Awards
Gray’s Inn Internship Awards
Applications for Internship Scholarships may be awarded one of the named scholarships below. The Inn will allocate a named scholarship should your application be successful and your proposed course of study, placement, internship etc. is applicable to the purpose and factors of the scholarship. Please note your application is for funding in general, not specifically for one of the named scholarships listed below.
The Churchill Scholarship
The purpose of the Churchill Scholarship is to enable the winner to study abroad, either at a University or with foreign lawyers or otherwise, normally for a period of at least three months in some aspect of foreign or Commonwealth Law, to be chosen by the candidate and approved by the Scholarships Committee. Preference will normally be given to applications to study in Europe or the Commonwealth. All candidates must either: (i.) hold a recognised academic post or (ii.) be intending to practise. All candidates must state their intention to use their legal knowledge (by practise, teaching or otherwise) either in the United Kingdom or in some part of the Commonwealth.
The David Karmel European Scholarship
The successful candidate will be expected to undertake further study, an internship or work placement, which should normally be of at least three months duration and be related to some aspect of the law of Member countries of the Community.
The Graham Challis European Scholarship
The successful candidate will be expected to undertake further study, an internship or work placement, which should normally be of at least three months duration and be related to some aspect of the law of Member countries of the Community.
The Michael Mustill Scholarship
The Michael Mustill Scholarship seeks to support those who have not yet secured pupillage, but are looking to undertake further study, an internship, or work placement in the field of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), with a particular focus on arbitration.
The Scholarship is available to fund internships or work placements, or additional arbitration-related study, attendance at relevant conferences, competitions or research opportunities.
This scholarship award is funded in partnership with the International Dispute Resolution Centre (IDRC) to commemorate the life and work of Michael Mustill. The IDRC is one of the world’s leading global facilities at which to conduct arbitrations and other forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution. From 2021, the IDRC has sponsored the Michael Mustill Scholarship to support students in funding internships or work placements, or additional arbitration-related opportunities.
Lord Mustill of Pateley Bridge 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, author, scholar, judge and arbitrator.
- Scholarships administered by other Inns
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
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