Every year, exceptional lawyers from around the world earn admission to the Master in International Dispute Settlement (MIDS). Yet many are unable to take up their place because of financial barriers. Scholarships ensure that talent, commitment, and potential, rather than financial means, determine who can access one of the world's leading programmes in international dispute settlement.
By supporting a MIDS scholarship, donors invest not only in an individual student, but also in the future capacity, diversity, and legitimacy of the global dispute resolution community.
Support a scholarship. Open a door to opportunity.
Why scholarships matter
The MIDS attracts outstanding candidates from every region of the world, including many from developing, emerging, and conflict-affected economies. For many admitted students, however, the cost of postgraduate study in Geneva remains prohibitive.
In the most recent admissions cycle
600applications
received
88admission offers
were made
33admitted candidates
ultimately declined their offer or withdrew after acceptance primarily because of financial constraints
Many of these candidates ranked among the strongest applicants in the admissions process. Scholarships are often the difference between an offer of admission and the ability to attend.
Your support kept that door open. It gave me access to top-tier training and professional networks that would otherwise have remained beyond my reach. You did not simply pay a fee. You placed a bet on a young lawyer from Kenya, and I intend to spend my career proving it was a good one.
Effie Okhola OdhiamboKenya (MIDS Class of 2026)
Financial hardship should not determine who gets access to opportunity.
Bridget AziekaNigeria (MIDS Class of 2026)
The impact of scholarship support
Since 2008:
More than 190 students have benefited from MIDS-managed scholarship support
Scholarship recipients have come from every major world region
Alumni now work in international organisations, governments, universities, arbitral institutions, international courts, NGOs and leading law firms worldwide
Scholarships do more than support individual careers. They strengthen institutions, expand access to legal expertise, and contribute to the peaceful resolution of disputes around the world.
Strengthening global representation
International dispute settlement increasingly affects developing and emerging economies. Yet access to specialist training remains uneven. Scholarships help ensure that talented lawyers from underrepresented regions can participate in shaping the future of the field and bring this expertise back to their institutions, communities and jurisdictions.
Opportunities for support
Donors may support full scholarship, partial scholarships, named scholarships and multi-year scholarship fund.
The MIDS can also develop bespoke arrangements aligned with a donor's geographic priorities, thematic interests, or philanthropic objectives.
Illustrative giving levels
Contribution
Impact
CHF 5,000
Relocation and settlement support for one student
CHF 20,000
Significant tuition assistance
CHF 33,000
Tuition support plus living expenses
CHF 43,000
Full scholarship
CHF 129,000
Named scholarship supporting one scholar annually over three years
Interested in supporting a scholar? Contact info@mids.ch
We are grateful to the organisations and individuals, including to a number of anonymous donors whose generosity continues to make these opportunities possible.
The MIDS is committed to ensuring that scholarship funding is allocated fairly, transparently and effectively. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of:
Academic excellence
Demonstrated financial need
Diversity and inclusion considerations
The scholarship framework includes verification procedures, transparent allocation mechanisms, safeguards against duplicate funding, and regular impact reporting.
Support the next generation of leading practitioners
Every year, talented candidates earn admission to the MIDS but remain unable to attend because of financial barriers. A scholarship can transform a career. That career can influence businesses, governments, international organisations, institutions, and communities for decades to come.
Investing in talent. Expanding opportunity. Strengthening the future of international dispute settlement.
The MIDS is a dynamic academic program led by an expert team, supported by two prestigious academic institutions and an extensive professional network.