Since 1964, the Academy of American and International Law has helped shape the careers and lives of thousands of legal professionals from around the world. Through comprehensive instruction on the U.S. legal system, the rule of law, and international business law, the Academy equips participants to better serve their communities and contribute to the advancement of justice globally. Alumni of the program have gone on to serve at the highest levels of government, as chief justices, on UN tribunals, as Presidents of the UN General Assembly, and as leaders in law firms, corporate legal departments, and the legal profession at large.

To help make this transformative experience accessible to more individuals regardless of their financial means, the Center for American and International Law established the Mark Smith Academy Scholarship Endowment Fund.

The fund is named in honor of Mark Smith, who led the Academy for over two decades with unwavering dedication. Mark was deeply committed to fostering an inclusive, intellectually rich, and supportive environment for every participant. His legacy lives on through the many graduates who remember him as a mentor, a leader, and a friend.

The endowment supports scholarships that allow deserving individuals from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds to attend the Academy—ensuring that the next generation of legal professionals has the tools and opportunity to promote the rule of law and create lasting positive change around the world.

Past recipients of the Mark Smith Academy Scholarship include: