The Global Impact Association offers various scholarships for talented students aiming to pursue a rewarding career in International Trade.
Scholarships for Master Programmes
Penglai Scholarships
The Penglai Scholarships allow two students or young professionals to pursue a one-year advanced master programme at the WTI. The Penglai Scholarships are funded by the Permanent Mission to the WTO of the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu. One of the Penglai Scholarships will be awarded to a national of Taiwan, and one will be awarded to a national of a least-developed country.
The Executive Committee of the GIA will decide on the award of the Penglai Scholarships on the advice of the Penglai Scholarship Committee.
A Penglai Scholarship covers the registration and tuition fees for the MILE or TRAIL+ programme, living expenses in Bern and travel expenses to and from Bern. The student shall receive a monthly allowance of CHF 1’500 to cover living expenses in Bern for maximum 11 months. In case the student takes the MILE or TRAIL+ programme (or part thereof) online, an appropriate arrangement regarding living expenses in his/her place of residence may be agreed upon. The travel expenses covered shall be limited to one economy class journey to and from Bern.
The recipient of a Penglai Scholarship shall maintain a minimum average grade of 5 during each of the two semesters of instruction of the MILE or TRAIL+ programme. Failure to keep this average grade may result in the withdrawal of the Penglai Scholarship. The recipient of a Penglai Scholarship shall also be involved in scientific research conducted at the WTI.
An application for a Penglai Scholarship may be filed together with the application of admission to the TRAIL+ or MILE programme or may be filed at a later date. The final date for applications for a Penglai Scholarship is 15 May 2021. Applications must be e-mailed to info@global-impact-association.org. Any application should include a letter of motivation as well as a statement of financial needs.
Patricia Murillo Montesdeoca Scholarship
The Patricia Murillo Montesdeoca (PMM) Scholarship is a privately funded scholarship, which allows each year one student or young professional to pursue a one-year advanced master programme at the WTI. The scholarship is in memory of the late Patricia Murillo Montesdeoca, a Falun Gong practitioner and human rights activist from Guayaquil, Ecuador.
In awarding the PMM Scholarship, preference will be given to female students from Latin America. The Executive Committee of the GIA will decide on the award of the PMM Scholarship on the advice of the PMM Scholarship Committee.
The PMM Scholarship covers the registration and tuition fees for the MILE or TRAIL+ programme, living expenses in Bern, and travel expenses to and from Bern. The student shall receive a monthly allowance of CHF 1’500 to cover living expenses in Bern for maximum 11 months. In case the student takes the MILE or TRAIL+ programme (or part thereof) online, an appropriate arrangement regarding living expenses in his/her place of residence may be agreed upon. The travel expenses covered shall be limited to one economy class journey to and from Bern.
The PMM Scholarship recipient shall maintain a minimum average grade of 5 during each of the two semesters of instruction of the MILE or TRAIL+ programme. Failure to keep this average grade may result in the withdrawal of the PMM Scholarship. The recipient of the PMM Scholarship shall also be involved in scientific research conducted at the WTI.
An application for the PMM Scholarship may be filed together with the application of admission to the TRAIL+ or MILE programme or may be filed at a later date. The final date for applications for the PMM Scholarship is 15 May 2021. Applications must be e-mailed to info@global-impact-association.org. Any application should include a letter of motivation as well as a statement of financial needs.
Scholarships for Internships
Thomas Cottier Scholarship
The Thomas Cottier Scholarship was set up to honour Thomas Cottier, the founder and first Managing Director and Director of Studies of the World Trade Institute (WTI). This Scholarship allows one WTI master’s student per year to pursue an unpaid internship at an international organisation, diplomatic mission, non-governmental organisation or law firm active in the field of international economic law and policy.
The Executive Committee of the GIA will decide on the recipient of the award of the Thomas Cottier Scholarship.
Eligibility criteria and requirements for the Thomas Cottier Scholarship:
- To be a current MILE or TRAIL+ student.
- To be admitted to an internship programme of an international organisation, Geneva-based diplomatic mission, non-governmental organisation or law firm active in the field of international economic law and policy.
- To do an otherwise unpaid internship.
- To apply for financial support in line with the requirements specified below.
Requirements for a valid application for the Thomas Cottier Scholarship:
- A letter in which you tell us about the internship and your financial situation. Mention if you have applied for other funding.
- Evidence of acceptance for the internship.
- A statement on the need for financial support, including a draft budget.
The deadline for applications is 1 October 2021, 12:00 pm CET. Applications must be e-mailed to info@global-impact-association.org.
John H. Jackson Scholarship
The John H. Jackson (JHJ) Scholarship was established to honour John Jackson’s legacy, the most influential academic of his era in the field of international trade law and policy. Prof. Jackson was a long-term friend and supporter of the WTI. Established in close consultation with his family, the JHJ Scholarship offers financial support to one deserving WTI master’s student each year to pursue an unpaid internship at an NGO or public institution. During their internship, the students will be expected to work on a multidisciplinary project relating to trade and/or investment law and policy.
The decision on the JHJ Scholarship award will be taken by the Executive Committee of the GIA on the advice of the JHJ Scholarship Committee, chaired by Dr Lee Ann Jackson and further composed of two MILE alumni.
The amount of financial support awarded is a maximum of CHF 4500.
Eligibility criteria for the JHJ Scholarship:
- To be a current MILE or TRAIL+ student.
- To be admitted to an internship programme of an institution/organisation active in the areas of trade and/or investment.
- To do an internship that involves work of an interdisciplinary nature.
- To do an otherwise unpaid internship.
- To apply for financial support in line with the requirements specified below.
Requirements for a valid application for the JHJ Scholarship:
- An application letter in English explaining the internship’s substantive focus, its purpose, and the interdisciplinary nature of the work engaged in during the internship.
- A letter from the institution/organisation offering the internship, stating: a commitment to accept the applicant as an intern; the importance of the internship for the institution/organisation; how the work engaged in during the internship is interdisciplinary in nature; and that the internship is unpaid.
- A statement on the need for financial support, including a draft budget.
The deadline for applications is 1 October 2021, 12:00 pm CET. Applications must be e-mailed to info@global-impact-association.org.
Luzius Wasescha Scholarship
Named after the late Luzius Wasescha, the former Swiss ambassador to the WTO and long-term Chair of the WTI Board, the scholarship allows one deserving WTI master’s student per year to pursue an unpaid internship at an international organisation, Geneva-based diplomatic mission, non-governmental organisation, or law firm active in the field of international economic law and policy.
The Executive Committee of the GIA will decide on the award of the Luzius Wasescha Scholarship.
The amount of financial support awarded is determined based on demonstrated needs up to a maximum of CHF 3000.
Eligibility criteria and requirements for the Luzius Wasescha Scholarship:
- To be a current MILE or TRAIL+ student.
- To be admitted to an internship programme of an international organisation, Geneva-based diplomatic mission, non-governmental organisation or law firm active in the field of international economic law and policy.
- To do an otherwise unpaid internship.
- To apply for financial support in line with the requirements specified below.
Requirements for a valid application for the Luzius Wasescha Scholarship:
- A letter in which you tell us about the internship and your financial situation. Mention if you have applied for other funding.
- Evidence of acceptance for the internship.
- A statement on the need for financial support, including a draft budget.
The deadline for applications is 1 October 2021, 12:00 pm CET. Applications must be e-mailed to info@global-impact-association.org.
Geneva Internship Scholarship
Funded by Pierre Sauvé, Senior Trade Specialist within the World Bank Group in Geneva, WTI faculty member and the former WTI Director of External Programmes and Academic Partnerships, the scholarship offers financial assistance to one deserving WTI master’s student per year to pursue an unpaid internship at a Geneva-based international organisation, diplomatic mission or non-governmental organisation active in the field of international economic law and policy.
Eligibility for financial support is contingent on a candidate’s selection to an unpaid internship in Geneva after completing WTI course work, financial need and overall academic performance at the WTI. Students interested in being considered for financial assistance should send a short motivational message to Pierre Sauvé at psauve@worldbank.org by 1 June 2021.
