OPEN CALL FOR BULGARIAN JUDGES TO
PARTICIPATE IN TRAINING COURSES AT THE NATIONAL JUDICIAL COLLEGE, USA

PROGRAM 2026

Overview 

Bulgarian Institute for Legal Initiatives, supported by the America for Bulgaria Foundation, offers a scholarship for on-site training of Bulgarian judges at the National Judicial College in the United States of America. The scholarship amounts at 17 000 BGN (€ 8,692), granted to the selected participant.

Created more than a half-century ago at the recommendation of a U.S. Supreme Court justice, the National Judicial College, based in Reno, NV since 1964, remains the only educational institution in the United States that teaches courtroom skills to judges of all types from all over the country, Indian Country and abroad. The categories of judges served by this nonprofit and nonpartisan institution decide more than 95 percent of the cases in the United States.

Eligibility

o    Applicants shall be Bulgarian citizens in good mental and physical health.

o    Applicants shall be acting judges in the state of the Republic of Bulgaria (junior judges are eligible too).  

o    Applicants must have not participated in other professional visiting programs within the U.S. in the last 5 years.

o    Applicants must have basic knowledge of the American legal and court systems.

o    Excellent command of English language is required. Evidence of English language proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS) is not necessary. Language abilities will be assessed through the written assignments and interview.

o    Applicants must have valid international passport (at least six months from the date of the start of the fellowship).

o    All applications will be considered with no regard to the applicant’s race, color, religion or sex.

Funding

The Program provides a scholarship of 17 000 BGN (€ 8,692), for the applicant to cover the expenses, including prices for the courses, travel, accommodation, insurance. Participants can choose courses from the 2026 course catalog or request a custom course on a topic of their interest, provided by the NJC. At least 70% of the scholarship must be disbursed to cover expenses for the training courses.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to organize his/her travel and stay within the U.S. (apply for а U.S. visa, purchase airplane tickets, book a hotel/airbnb, etc.). NJC can offer assistance for accommodation.

Duration

There is no fixed date for the beginning of the training, but the end date shall not be later than December 20, 2026.

Application procedure

Applicants are asked to send the following documents until 27 February, 2026 to fellowship@bili-bg.org :

o    A resume or curriculum vitae that includes: Career and Employment History; Educational

 Background; Professional Activities;

o    A cover letter describing your education, familiarity with the U.S. legal system and court experience, and motivation for choosing the course(s), and explaining how they will be useful to the judge in his work back in Bulgaria.;

o    The selection of candidates will be carried out by a jury of outstanding national and international experts. The jury's composition will be announced once the selection process is complete. Two candidates will be selected.

o    After completing the training courses applicants will have the opportunity to present back home what they have learnt and achieved during their stay at the USA with their colleagues and the broader community.

All documents must be in English.

All fellowship applicant documents will be processed and stored in full compliance with the GDPR.

For questions regarding the program you can reach BILI at fellowship@bili-bg.org