In the context of the project “Improving access to civil justice in Latin America and the Caribbean”, funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC), the Justice Studies Center of the Americas (JSCA) is accepting proposals for the second round of a research internship program at Osgoode Hall Law School (York University, Toronto, Canada) to be held from Monday 5th to Friday 16th, March 2018 (two full weeks). Two interns will be selected.

1. Internship Objective
The purpose of the internship is to support civil procedure reform processes in Latin American and  Caribbean countries by providing professionals with the opportunity to travel to Toronto, Canada, in order to carry out a research project on a topic chosen by them in their application, to participate in activities at the Law School, and finally to acquire relevant knowledge with the potential to generate changes to their local realities.

2.  Application Requirements
All applicants must complete the form that is posted at the following link here

In addition, each applicant must submit a research proposal on a topic in which they are interested related to access to justice within the field of civil justice systems. The proposal must include: (i) a description of the chosen topic, (ii) justification for the project [1] and (iii) research methodology (maximum: 2 pages).

Proposals should be submitted to JSCA Training Area Director, Leonel González: leonel.gonzalez@cejamericas.org and Constanza Gigena, Research attorney, to constanza.gigena@cejamericas.org. Proposals must be submitted in two languages: English and Spanish (except for applicants from Brazil, whom may choose English and Portuguese).


All proposal must incorporate an appropriate gender perspective. That means, at least:

  • Using non-sexist and equality language: modifying the androcentric approach in communication in order to make women and LGTBI minorities visible and to abandon sexist stereotypes and prejudices.
  • When working with data information of some topic, it must be presented and released by gender.  
  • Avoiding the use of gender stereotypes, e.g.: using supporting ideas that associate women only with their role as mothers and men as financial providers; women as emotional and men as rational, etc.
  • Gender Mainstreaming: when working on content, considering whether the topic has a different impact on men, women and LGTBI persons; if so, in which way; paying special attention to that impact and when the difference turns into a discrimination or gender inequality; making an effort to come up with possible alternatives or proposals to deal with differential impact, etc.

Preference will be given to candidates with experience working on research projects related to civil procedure or who plan to work in institutions focused on related topics.


It is important that applicants can guarantee that they will be available to complete the internship between March 5 and March 16, 2018. All applicants must be proficient in written and spoken English. Knowledge of English must be accredited on the application form.


Preselected applicants may be asked to give a phone interview in English in order to verify that they speak English fluidly and would be able to successfully complete the internship.

3. Internship Benefits
Interns will receive the following:

  • Roundtrip airfare between their home country and Canada.
  • Lodging during the internship.
  • Per diem to cover meals and transportation during the internship (covers basic meals and transportation for official activities).

The interns must cover their visa and health insurance costs during their stay in Canada. As such, they are responsible for applying for, processing and securing the respective visas including visas for countries such as the United States that require that passengers with layovers in their territory secure a visa.


Osgoode Hall Law School will provide interns with work space on campus; access to library resources, including digital resources and internet access; a designated faculty member contact; access to research-related and community events. Interns are expected to arrange their own interviews and appointments with the faculty, practitioners and/or members of the judiciary they wish to meet with during their internship. It is suggested that the Interns schedule these meetings well in advance of the internship period.

4. Report
At the end of the internship, each participant must submit a report on the experience and the results of the research conducted, which may be published or further disseminated under the intern’s name.

5. Deadlines
Applications will be received between Monday, 26th of October and Thursday 30th, November, 2017  
Preselection and phone interviews with candidates will be conducted the week of December 4.
The final decision will be made during the week of December 11, 2017.

[1]Would better consider, at least: whether the chosen topic is related to the aim of the internship; Does the proposal express a link between the local development of the topic and its treatment in Canada? Does the investigation will be a contribution to the processes of civil procedural reform in the region?