Six weeks in the UK. Full programme fees. Accommodation and living expenses. Return airfare. And intensive training in AI, cybersecurity, leadership and strategic decision-making.
The Chevening Europe Defence and Security Fellowship is currently accepting applications from eligible European professionals seeking advanced international experience in security, defence, resilience, AI governance and strategic leadership.
The fellowship is hosted by Cranfield University at the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom and funded by the UK’s FCDO.
Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Opportunity Type | Fully Funded Professional Fellowship |
| Host Organisation | Cranfield University / Defence Academy of the UK |
| Funder | UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office |
| Location | Shrivenham and London, United Kingdom |
| Duration | Six weeks |
| Cohort 1 | 25 January – 5 March 2027 |
| Cohort 2 | 15 March – 23 April 2027 |
| Fields | Defence, security, cybersecurity, AI, governance, resilience, leadership, strategic decision-making |
| Nationality | Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Holy See, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, or Switzerland. |
| Funding Status | Fully funded |
| Programme Fees | Fully covered |
| Accommodation | Covered/pre-arranged |
| Living Expenses | Covered |
| Travel | Return economy airfare |
| Degree Requirement | Postgraduate qualification or equivalent professional training/experience |
| Work Experience | At least 5 years relevant professional experience |
| Age Requirement | None |
| Application Fee | None |
| Application Deadline | 27 September 2026, 11:00 UTC |
About the Fellowship
This six-week professional fellowship is designed for mid-career professionals working in security and defence-related fields.
The programme combines teaching, practical exercises, workshops, simulations, research, institutional visits and professional networking.
Key themes include:
- Global leadership
- Organisational resilience
- Cyber resilience
- Artificial intelligence
- Emerging technologies
- Strategic decision-making
- Governance
- Future leadership
Fellows also develop a research project addressing a relevant policy, leadership, organisational or security challenge and present their findings to the FCDO in London.
Financial Support
The fellowship provides:
- Full programme fees
- Living expenses
- Pre-arranged accommodation close to Oxford
- Return economy airfare
The official programme therefore confirms comprehensive funding for the fellowship itself.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must:
- Be a citizen of and resident in one of the eligible European countries listed by Chevening.
- Hold a postgraduate qualification or equivalent professional training/experience.
- Have at least five years of relevant professional experience.
- Be a mid-career professional working in areas related to national/international security.
- Work in government, public or private sector, academia, defence, security, law enforcement, intelligence, civil protection, resilience or an international organisation.
- Demonstrate leadership potential.
- Show potential to apply the knowledge and networks gained through the fellowship.
Nationality
Eligible applicants must be citizens and residents of the following countries/territories:
Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Holy See, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain or Switzerland.
Degree Requirement
A postgraduate qualification or equivalent professional training/experience in a relevant field is required.
Work Experience
At least five years of relevant professional experience.
Duration
Six weeks.
Two cohorts are planned:
- 25 January – 5 March 2027
- 15 March – 23 April 2027
Application Deadline
27 September 2026 at 11:00 UTC.
How to Apply
- Confirm that your nationality and residence meet the country requirements.
- Confirm that you meet the professional and qualification requirements.
- Prepare your application materials.
- Submit the application through the official Chevening application system.
- Demonstrate leadership potential and how the fellowship will benefit your organisation/country.
- Submit before 27 September 2026 at 11:00 UTC.
Important Things to Know
- This is not a general fellowship open worldwide.
- It is specifically designed for eligible European professionals.
- The programme has a strong security, defence, cyber and emerging-technology focus.
- AI governance and emerging technology are explicitly included in the curriculum.
- Both programme fees and major participation costs are covered.
Why This Opportunity Matters
This is particularly valuable for professionals working at the intersection of AI, cybersecurity, public policy, national security and leadership. Participants gain UK-based training, international networks and direct exposure to policymakers and practitioners.
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