The Clifford Chance Brussels LL.M. Scholarship - 2026-2027

The Clifford Chance Brussels LL.M. Scholarship (the "Scholarship") supports outstanding Belgian law graduates pursuing a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree at a leading university abroad. The Scholarship aims to foster legal excellence and promote international legal education among future leaders in the legal profession. This year, the Scholarship will be awarded to a single recipient.

The Scholarship offers not only financial support, but also the opportunity to connect with a global network of legal professionals and gain invaluable insights into the profession. If you are ready to advance your legal career, this Scholarship could serve as your gateway to an exceptional future.

Scholarship Benefits

• A scholarship of €10,000, to be applied towards tuition fees, living expenses, or other costs related to the LL.M. programme.
• Access to mentoring and networking opportunities with lawyers of Clifford Chance.

The Scholarship is awarded on the basis of (i) academic merit and excellence, (ii) a motivation letter, and, for shortlisted candidates, (iii) the quality of the applicant's performance during an interview at our offices.

The Scholarship constitutes a one-time, non-renewable award and does not constitute an offer of employment or professional collaboration with Clifford Chance.

Terms and Conditions
The following terms and conditions govern the Scholarship awarded by Clifford Chance. By submitting an application for the Scholarship, applicants agree to comply with these terms and conditions.

Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:

• Hold a Master's degree in law from a recognized university in Belgium by the start of the LL.M. program. Only applicants who have obtained, or will obtain, their Master's degree in 2023, 2024, 2025, or 2026 are eligible to apply for the Scholarship.
• Demonstrate proficiency in English.
• Have been accepted or have applied for admission to a full-time LL.M. program at a leading university outside Belgium, commencing in the next academic year.
• Show evidence of an excellent academic record, leadership potential, community engagement, and a commitment to contributing to the legal profession in Belgium upon completion of studies.
• Demonstrate the highest standards of integrity and ethical standing.

Online Application
The application period for the Scholarship runs from 1 October 2025 to 15 December 2025. Please review the list of required documents carefully and ensure that your application is complete before submission. Applications missing any required documents or received after the 15 December 2025 deadline will not be considered.

Please note that applications sent via email or post will not be considered. All applications must be submitted via our online portal.

Required Documents

• Curriculum Vitae (maximum 2 pages).
• Motivation letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining academic achievements, career goals, reasons for pursuing an LL.M., and how the Scholarship will contribute to your professional development.
• Copy of university degree(s) and transcripts of academic records for all years of study (Bachelor and Master).
• Proof of application or admission to an LL.M. program (conditional admission is acceptable at the time of application).

Selection procedure
All applications will be evaluated and screened after the deadline has passed. Please do not contact us regarding the status of your application, as we are unable to respond to individual enquiries.

A select group of shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview in early February 2026 with a panel of Clifford Chance lawyers and HR representatives at our Brussels office.

The successful applicant will be notified in March 2026. Please note that the award of the grant is contingent upon receipt of the official admission letter from the host university. Scholarship funds will only be transferred once the candidate has formally accepted and enrolled in the LL.M. programme. The successful applicant may also be required to participate in a standard background screening process prior to the award of the Scholarship.

Unsuccessful applicants will be notified by email in March 2026 and will be considered for exclusive invitations to events and initiatives organised by Clifford Chance Brussels. The decision of the judging panel is final and not subject to appeal.

Other scholarships
You may combine the Scholarship with other scholarships/awards/grants from different institutions or other professional income, provided there is no conflict with their terms and you disclose any additional funding in your application file, or immediately after being granted that additional scholarship, whichever occurs first. However, Clifford Chance LLP reserves the right to reduce the amount of the Scholarship or to withdraw the award if it is determined that you have received a single, comprehensive scholarship from another source that covers the majority of your LL.M. expenses (e.g. Fayat-beurs, Frank Boas scholarship, etc.).

Obligations of Recipient
The Scholarship funds must be used solely for lawful purposes directly related to the LL.M. programme, such as tuition fees, living expenses, or other legitimate educational costs. The recipient must not use the Scholarship funds for any unlawful, unethical, or unauthorised activities.

Clifford Chance LLP reserves the right to withhold or withdraw the Scholarship if the recipient does not meet the eligibility criteria, including upholding the highest standards of integrity and ethical standing, or is found to have used the funds for improper purposes. If the Scholarship is terminated due to misconduct, breach of these terms, or misuse of funds, the recipient will be required to repay any funds already received.

Data Protection
Clifford Chance is dedicated to safeguarding the privacy of all applicants. Personal data collected during the application process, such as name, contact details, academic records, and any other information provided, will be processed to assess eligibility for the Scholarship, conduct the selection process, invite you to potential interviews and events, and administer the Scholarship. The legal basis for this processing is Clifford Chance's legitimate interest in managing the Scholarship and fulfilling obligations to applicants and scholarship recipients.

For more detailed information on how Clifford Chance processes personal data, please refer to Clifford Chance full privacy notice at https://jobs.cliffordchance.com/privacy-policy.

General Provisions
Clifford Chance reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions at any time. These terms and conditions shall be governed by the laws of Belgium.

Contact Information
For any queries regarding the Scholarship, please contact Emily Roos at [email protected].