Mediation Scholars Programme: The Mediation Society Announces 120 Mediation Training Scholarships

Ernakulam, 24 September 2026: The Mediation Society has announced the Mediation Scholars Programme 2026, a statewide initiative offering up to 120 full Mediation Training Scholarships to law students studying in Kerala. The initiative aims to identify promising law students with an interest and aptitude for mediation and provide them with structured mediation education and practical training early in their legal education.

“Every profession invests in its future by investing in its young people. Mediation should be no different. Through the Mediation Scholars Programme, we hope to identify promising law students across Kerala, provide them with high-quality mediation education and training, and give them opportunities to carry that learning into their law schools and, eventually, into the profession,” said Adv. Rajesh C. Muttath, President, The Mediation Society.

Scholarship recipients will undertake a 60-hour Mediation Scholars Programme combining live online learning, practical workshops, guided learning and assessment, interactions with senior mediators and mediation professionals, and exposure to the Society's mediation activities. Regional practical training will be organised through centres at Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Kozhikode.

Scholarship recipients will pay no application, tuition or training fees. The Scholarship covers the prescribed training and academic components, including faculty and trainer costs, programme learning activities, practical training and assessment. Travel, accommodation, meals and other personal or incidental expenses are not covered. Each Scholarship has an estimated training value of ₹22,500, taking the aggregate estimated value of the inaugural scholarship programme to ₹27 lakh.

The Programme incorporates the Foundational and Intermediate stages of The Mediation Society's Mediation Masterclass. Subject to successful completion of the applicable requirements, participants will receive Mediation Masterclass Foundational and Intermediate certificates, together with a separate Mediation Scholars Programme Certificate recognising successful completion of the Programme.

Certified Mediation Scholars will also receive one year of complimentary Associate Membership of The Mediation Society and join the continuing Mediation Scholars Network. Scholars will have opportunities for continuing engagement through Society activities and projects, advanced learning and, for selected top performers, internship and other professional-development opportunities.

Students presently studying in a recognised law college or law school in Kerala may apply if they are in the Third or Fourth Year of a Five-Year LL.B. programme, or the Second Year of a Three-Year LL.B. programme. There is no Kerala domicile requirement, and previous mediation or ADR experience is not necessary.

Selection will be competitive and will consider, among other factors, applicants' motivation and commitment, aptitude for mediation and judgement, ability to understand different perspectives, reflective maturity, communication and interpersonal orientation, initiative and potential for continuing engagement with mediation. The Society will also endeavour to secure broad representation across law colleges and law schools in Kerala.

Applications open on 24 September 2026 and close on 10 October 2026. Detailed information on the Programme, eligibility, Scholarship coverage, selection process, benefits and application requirements is available on the Mediation Scholars Programme page on The Mediation Society website.

About The Mediation Society

The Mediation Society is a Kerala-based not-for-profit organisation that promotes mediation and strengthens the mediation ecosystem. Its work includes mediation education and professional development, community-based mediation initiatives, research and knowledge development, and institutional collaboration.

Programme information and applications:
https://www.themediationsociety.com/mediation-scholar-programme