The International Bar Association (IBA) is now receiving applications for the 2026 Annual Conference Scholarships, designed to support young lawyers who wish to attend the Conference but may face financial barriers.

The 2026 IBA Annual Conference will take place in Copenhagen, Denmark, between 4–9 October 2026. Each year, this flagship event brings together more than 5,000 lawyers from 130 jurisdictions, making it one of the most influential global gatherings of the legal profession. The event will feature over 200 working sessions, which will be complemented by a comprehensive social programme that provides the opportunity for delegates to network, establish new relationships and reconnect with peers and friends from around the world.

A commitment to the next generation

IBA President, Claudio Visco, said: ‘I am immensely proud of this scholarship initiative, which helps ensure that talented young lawyers from around the world can participate in the IBA Annual Conference unhindered by financial circumstance. It reflects the IBA’s commitment to inclusion and the future of the legal profession, by opening the doors of our largest event of the year to the next generation of legal leaders.’

What the scholarship covers

Waived registration fee to the Annual Conference 2026;

Contribution towards travel costs to attend the Annual Conference 2026;

Accommodation while attending the Annual Conference 2026;

Two years’ free membership to the IBA, including:

Membership of one committee under the awarding group; and

Membership of one committee from a different division; and

Waived registration fee for:

The 2027 IBA Annual Conference; or

A specialist conference of a chosen committee.

Application requirements

All applications must include:

An essay/project proposal/TED talk-style presentation prepared in accordance with the scholarship’s guidelines; and

An English language certificate.

You will be prompted to upload the files when completing the application form.

Eligibility criteria

Scholarships are open to applicants who meet the following requirements:

Age: a ‘Young Lawyer’ is defined as being 35 years old or under at the time of the Conference.

Professional status: applicants must either be:

A fully qualified lawyer licensed or registered to practise as a lawyer with the relevant professional regulatory body; or

In the process of qualifying (education and/or vocational) to pass the bar (or the equivalent qualification in the relevant jurisdiction) to become fully qualified, providing they hold a temporary or permanent licence to practice as a trainee, or are undertaking a training scheme that is recognised by the professional regulatory body.

IBA membership: is not a requirement to submit an application.

Applications: each applicant may apply for one scholarship per calendar year.

Click here to read the full terms and conditions of scholarship participation.