IPBA
Scholarship Program
The Inter-Pacific Bar Association (IPBA) is pleased to announce that it is now accepting applications for the IPBA Scholarship Program to enable practicing lawyers to attend the IPBA Annual Meeting & Conference to be held in New Delhi, 25 to 28 February 2026.
What is the Inter-Pacific Bar Association?
The Inter-Pacific Bar Association is an international association of business and commercial lawyers with a focus on the Asia-Pacific region. Members are either Asia-Pacific residents or have a strong interest in this part of the world. The IPBA was founded in April 1991 at an organising conference held in Tokyo attended by more than 500 lawyers from throughout Asia and the Pacific. Since then, it has grown to become the preeminent organisation in respect of law and business within Asia with a membership of over 1500 lawyers from 65 jurisdictions around the world. IPBA members include a large number of lawyers practising in the Asia-Pacific region and throughout the world that have a cross-border practice involving the Asia-Pacific region.
What is the Inter-Pacific Bar Association Annual Meeting and Conference?
One of the highlights of the year for the IPBA is its annual conference, which has become the ‘must-attend event’ for international lawyers practicing in the Asia-Pacific region. In addition to plenary sessions of interest to all lawyers, sessions are presented by the IPBA’s 24 specialist committees and one Ad Hoc committee. The IPBA Annual Meeting and Conference provides an opportunity for lawyers to meet colleagues from around the world and to share the latest developments in cross-border practice and professional development in the Asia-Pacific region. Previous annual conferences have been held in Tokyo, Sydney, Taipei, Singapore, San Francisco, Manila, Kuala Lumpur, Auckland, Bangkok, Vancouver, Hong Kong, New Delhi, Seoul, Bali, Beijing, Los Angeles, Kyoto/Osaka, Shanghai, Dubai, and Chicago.
What is the IPBA Scholarship Program?
The IPBA Scholarship Program was originally established in honour of the memory of M..S.. Lin of Taipei, who was one of the founders and a Past President of the IPBA. Today it operates to bring to the IPBA Annual Meeting and Conference lawyers who would not otherwise be able to attend and who would both contribute to, and benefit from, attending. The Scholarship Program is also intended to endorse the IPBA’s mission to develop the law and its practice in the Asia-Pacific region. Currently, the scholarships are principally funded by The Japan Fund, established and supported by lawyers in Japan to honour IPBA’s accomplishments since its founding; the Host Committee of the Annual Meeting and Conference in Vancouver, Canada, 2014; and a generous donation by the family of M.S. Lin, a Past President of the IPBA.
The IPBA Scholarship Program was originally established in honour of the memory of M.S. Lin of Taipei, who was one of the founders and a Past President of the IPBA. Today it operates to bring to the IPBA Annual Meeting and Conference lawyers who would not otherwise be able to attend and who would both contribute to, and benefit from, attending. The Scholarship Program is also intended to endorse the IPBA’s mission to develop the law and its practice in the Asia-Pacific region. Currently, the scholarships are principally funded by The Japan Fund, established and supported by lawyers in Japan to honour IPBA’s accomplishments since its founding; the Host Committee of the Annual Meeting and Conference in Vancouver, Canada, 2014; and a generous donation by the family of M.S. Lin.
During the conference, the Scholars will enjoy the opportunity to meet key members of the legal community of the Asia-Pacific region through a series of unique and prestigious receptions, lectures, workshops, and social events. Equally, each selected Scholar is responsible for attending the entire Conference and for providing a report of their experience to the IPBA after the conference. The program aims to provide the Scholars with substantial tools and cross-border knowledge to assist them in building their careers in their home country. Following the conference, the Scholars will enjoy three years of IPBA membership and will be invited to join a dedicated social networking forum to remain in contact with each other while developing a network with other past and future Scholars.
Who is eligible to be an IPBA Scholar?
There are two categories of lawyers eligible to become an IPBA Scholar:
[1] Lawyers from Developing Countries
To be eligible, the applicants must:
(a) be a citizen of and be admitted to practice in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, or the Pacific Islands;
(b) be fluent in both written and spoken English (the conference language); and
(c) currently maintain a cross-border practice or desire to become engaged incross-border practice.
[2] Young Lawyers
To be eligible, the applicants must:
(a) be under 35 years of age at the time of application and have less than seven years of post-qualification experience
(b) be fluent in both written and spoken English, the official language of the IPBA;
(c) have taken an active role in the legal profession in his/her country; and
(d) currently maintain a cross-border practice or desire to become engaged incross-border practice.
Preference will be given to applicants who would otherwise be unable to attend the conference because of personal or family financial circumstances, and/or because they are working for a small firm without a budget to allow them to attend. Former Scholars will be considered only under extraordinary circumstances.
How to apply to become an IPBA Scholar
To apply for an IPBA Scholarship, complete an application form and return it to the IPBA Secretariat no later than 31 August 2025. Application forms are available to download here.
Completed applications should be sent by e-mail attachment to:
The IPBA Scholarship Committee
E-mail: ipbascholarships@ipba.org
What happens once a candidate is selected?
- IPBA will notify each successful applicant that he or she has been awarded an IPBA Scholarship. The notification will be provided at least two months prior to the start of the IPBA Annual Conference. Unsuccessful candidates will also be notified.
- Airfare will be agreed upon and reimbursed or paid for by the IPBA Secretariat. Accommodation will be arranged and paid for by the IPBA Secretariat after consultation with the selected Scholars.
- The Scholar is expected to adhere to the travel and accommodation arrangements made in connection with the Conference and no deviations will be permitted. Family members, friends, or colleagues may not stay with the Scholar in the accommodation provided by the IPBA.
- It is the Scholar’s responsibility to determine and obtain any necessary visa for entry into the jurisdiction where the Conference is held. All costs associated with visa application and issuance shall be borne by the Scholar.
- A liaison appointed by the IPBA will introduce each Scholar to the IPBA and help the Scholar obtain the utmost benefit from the IPBA Annual Conference.
- Each selected Scholar is required to attend the entire Conference and submit a report on their experience to the IPBA following its conclusion.
The IPBA Secretariat
Roppongi Hills North Tower 7F • 6-2-31 Roppongi, Minato-ku • Tokyo 106-0032, Japan
Telephone: +81-3-5786-6796 • FAX: +81-3-5786-6778 • E-mail: ipbascholarships@ipba.org