Selection Criteria & How to Apply

SELECTION CRITERIA FOR SUMMER COURSE CANDIDATES

Places in the Summer Course are limited. In 2023, the ECSL plans to admit a maximum of 45 student applicants and 5 young professionals. We inevitably receive many more applications than there are places. In view of this, the ECSL applies the following criteria in the selection of candidates:

Student applicants (max. 45)

1. Applicants must be enrolled in undergraduate or graduate (but not PhD) courses in Law, Political Science (International Law & Organisations), Economics (Space Sector focus) or other disciplines related to Space Law and Policy. However, we welcome applications from students with a technical background who can demonstrate an interest in Space Law and Policy.

2. For law student applicants, a sound knowledge of Public International and Private International Law, European Law, and some knowledge of Space Law are an advantage. Non-law students should show a high level of academic achievement in their field and be able to demonstrate an interest in the regulatory and policy side of space activities.

3. Fluency in spoken and written English.

4. Proven ability to work with other people in a group project.

5. Age: In case of a high number of applicants, students over the age of 27 years may be considered on a non-priority basis.

6. Geographical distribution:
(i) max. 6 Students per ESA Member State, Associate Members or Cooperating States;
(ii) max. 5 students per law Faculty;
(iii) up to 5 students from non-ESA Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States (on a non-priority basis); and
(iv) students admitted subject to the approval of the host university and the availability of funds.

7. Recommendation of the applicant’s National Point of Contact (NPOC) or, where students are applying from a State where no NPOC has been established, a supporting letter/reference from the student’s Faculty. (see below on ‘How to apply’ for more details)

Young professional applicants (max. 5)

The ECSL welcomes applications from young professionals coming from ESA Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States with a demonstrable interest in Space Law and Policy and a strong academic background. There are no fixed criteria concerning the particular professional background of individual applicants and each application will be considered on his merits.

For the purposes of the ECSL Summer Course applications, young professional are considered to be individuals under the age of 35 who have completed a graduate study and are currently junior working professionals, or are completing a PhD.

The course fee for young professionals is higher than the one for students.

HOW TO APPLY

All applicants, student and young professional, should follow the procedure outlined below:

1. Applicants should apply through the ECSL National Points of Contact (NPOC) listed here.
All applicants will be assessed solely on the basis of the information contained in their Application Form (which is updated every year) and CV. Applicants should therefore address the relevant application criteria above as far as possible in those documents.

(i) The applicant should apply through their National Point of Contact (corresponding to their state of residence/study);
(ii) If there is no NPOC in the applicants’ State of residence/study, then the applicant should contact the NPOC of their nationality;
(iii) In the event that the ECSL has not established a National Point of Contact in either the applicants’ State of residence/study OR State of nationality, the applicant should send their documents (CV, Application Form & supporting letter from their Faculty) to the ECSL Executive Officer (ecsl@esa.int).

Please note, applications which are not received in accordance with this procedure will not be considered.