Dates: 13 May – 22 May 2026
Location: Sydney, Australia
Deadline: 17 January 2026, 11:59 p.m. EST
Notification of Acceptance: 28 February 2026
Application Fee: None
Organizer: ICON•S | The International Society of Public Law
Application Portal: Submit via Oxford Abstracts
Overview
The International Society of Public Law (ICON•S) invites applications for the fourth edition of its Winter/Summer School for Junior Scholars, to be held from 13 to 22 May 2026 in Sydney, Australia.
The program is convened by Professor Rosalind Dixon (former co-president of ICON•S) and jointly organized by:
- ICON•S Committee on Community and Engagement
- UNSW Resilient Democracy Lab
- UNSW Gilbert + Tobin Centre of Public Law
- NUS Law Centre for Asian Legal Studies
- Centre for Comparative and Public Law at HKU Law
- uOttawa Public Law Centre
- Northwestern Pritzker Law School
- ICON•S Aus–NZ
- Manos Foundation
Background
Previous editions of the ICON•S Winter/Summer School were held in Sydney in:
- 2023: 21–30 June
- 2024: 16–24 May
- 2025: 14–23 May
The 2026 edition will continue building on these successful experiences, fostering academic collaboration and community among emerging scholars in the field of public law.
Objectives
The ICON•S Winter/Summer School aims to provide twelve to fifteen junior scholars with an opportunity to strengthen their academic skills, build international networks, and engage with leading experts in the field.
The program includes:
- Methodology and research training sessions
- Writing and publishing workshops
- Career development and mentoring activities
- Interactive sessions for presenting and refining draft papers or chapters
- Peer feedback and engagement with senior scholars
Participants will have the chance to workshop their research, receive feedback, and develop professional connections that will support their future academic careers.
Eligibility
Applications are open to junior scholars in public law and related disciplines.
A junior scholar is defined as an academic who:
- Has not yet begun or has only recently completed their terminal degree (within the past five years, excluding career breaks), or
- Self-identifies as an early-career researcher seeking to establish an academic trajectory.
There is no application fee, and scholars from all regions are encouraged to apply.
Financial Support
- A limited number of travel bursaries are available for applicants unable to secure institutional or third-party funding.
- Priority will be given to applicants from the Global South.
- The organizers will provide:
- Accommodation for the full duration of the program (individual rooms with shared bathrooms; limited private rooms for medical needs).
- Visa fee coverage and some meals during the event.
- Participants are responsible for obtaining their Australian visa and arranging travel after receiving acceptance.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit the following documents:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Cover Letter
- Abstract of the paper or chapter they intend to present at the Winter/Summer School
- Financial Aid Statement (optional)
- Biographic and Demographic Information
Applications must be submitted via the Oxford Abstracts platform. You will be required to log in or create an account using Google or LinkedIn credentials.
Submit your application here: Oxford Abstracts Submission Portal
Selection Process
- Participants will be selected by a dedicated ICON•S sub-committee based on:
- Quality and relevance of research proposal
- Academic potential
- Diversity (racial, geographic, and gender representation)
- A limited number of candidates may be invited for interviews prior to final selection.
Results: Successful applicants will be notified by 28 February 2026 via the email address associated with their Oxford Abstracts account.
Visa Information
Invitation letters for visa purposes will be provided promptly after acceptance.
Most visa applications for Australia are submitted online, with processing times generally sufficient for travel arrangements.
Applicants should indicate in the form whether they require a visa invitation letter.
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 17 January 2026 (11:59 p.m. EST)
- Notification of Acceptance: 28 February 2026
- Program Dates: 13–22 May 2026
- Location: Sydney, Australia
Contact
For further information, visit the ICON•S official website or contact the organizing committee through the Oxford Abstracts portal.
