Chevening Europe Defence and Security Fellowship

About the opportunity

The Chevening Europe Defence and Security Fellowship is funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and delivered by Cranfield University at the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom in Shrivenham. Tailored for mid-career professionals across Europe who demonstrate leadership potential in defence and security, the six-week programme explores strategic decision-making, cyber resilience, artificial intelligence, organizational governance, and international collaboration through lectures, simulations, site visits, and independent research culminating in an FCDO presentation in London.

Funding and benefits

• Full coverage of programme fees
• Living expenses for the duration of the fellowship
• Pre-arranged accommodation close to Oxford
• Return economy airfare to and from the United Kingdom

Who can apply?

• Be a citizen of and resident in one of the eligible European countries at the point of application: 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, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, or Switzerland (residents of European overseas territories may apply through the relevant scheme of their citizenship country)
• Hold a postgraduate qualification, or equivalent professional training/experience in a relevant field
• Have at least five years of relevant professional experience
• Be a mid-career professional employed within government, defence, security, law enforcement, intelligence, civil protection, resilience, or an international organisation handling national/international security
• Work in a role with the potential to influence organizational capability, policy, strategy, or operational effectiveness within their organization and/or country
• Demonstrate leadership potential and a commitment to applying the knowledge and networks gained upon completing the programme
• Meet standard Chevening fellowship eligibility criteria

Required documents

• Online application form submitted via the Chevening application portal
• Evidence of postgraduate qualifications or equivalent professional experience
• Professional reference and employment details demonstrating relevant experience

When to apply

• Application deadline: 27 September 2026 at 11:00 UTC
• Cohort 1 programme dates: 25 January 2027 – 5 March 2027
• Cohort 2 programme dates: 15 March 2027 – 23 April 2027

How to apply

• Review standard Chevening fellowship guidelines and specific eligibility requirements
• Visit the Chevening online application portal (asams.chevening.org/apply)
• Complete and submit the online application form and supporting information before the closing deadline of 27 September 2026, 11:00 UTC

Additional information

• The programme is organized around six integrated themes: Global Leadership in an Era of Complexity; Understanding People, Culture, and Organisations; Cyber Resilience and Information Threats; Artificial Intelligence, Governance, and Emerging Technology; Strategic Decision-Making Under Pressure; and Building Resilience and Future Leadership.
• Fellows undertake an individual research project addressing a relevant policy, leadership, or security challenge and present their findings to the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in London at the end of the fellowship.