Chevening Europe Defence and Security Fellowship

Overview

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, Shrivenham. This Fellowship is open to all non-ODA eligible European countries.
 
The fellowship is designed for mid-career professionals from across Europe who have demonstrated leadership potential in security and defence. The programme aims to develop leaders capable of operating effectively within complex and rapidly changing security and defence contexts. It provides an interdisciplinary and applied learning experience that strengthens participants’ understanding of the strategic challenges facing governments, international organisations, and public institutions. 
 
Through six weeks of teaching, discussion, practical exercises, site visits, individual research, and collaborative learning, fellows will develop practical insight into leadership, organisational resilience, governance, strategic decision-making, cyber resilience, artificial intelligence, and international collaboration. The programme also creates lasting professional networks across Europe and the UK.  

Duration

The duration of this fellowship is six weeks and there will be two cohorts:

• Cohort 1:  25 January – 5 March 2027 
• Cohort 2: 15 March – 23 April 2027 

More about the programme

Ready to take your leadership in security and cyber policy to the next level?  

Fellows will be encouraged to: 

• Critically evaluate contemporary strategic, organisational, and leadership challenges. 
• Analyse how organisational culture, human behaviour, and governance influence institutional effectiveness, resilience, and vulnerability. 
• Assess the opportunities and risks associated with cyber security, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies. 
• Apply strategic decision-making approaches in situations characterised by uncertainty, competing pressures, and incomplete information. 
• Collaborate effectively across cultural, professional, and national boundaries to develop informed responses to complex organisational and societal challenges. 
   

The programme is organised 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 
• Building Resilience and Future Leadership 
    

Fellows will benefit from lectures, workshops, simulations, practitioner speakers, research activity, UK institutional visits, and opportunities to build enduring international professional networks.  

Throughout the programme, fellows will work on a research project addressing a relevant policy, leadership, organisational, or security challenge. They will receive academic support as they develop their work and will present their findings to the FCDO in London at the end of the fellowship.  

Eligibility

In addition to meeting our standard eligibility criteria, you must:  

• Be a citizen of and resident in one of the following 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, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, or Switzerland.
  • If you live in a European overseas territory, you may apply through the relevant Chevening award scheme for the European country of which you are a citizen.
    
• Hold a postgraduate qualification (or equivalent professional training or experience in a relevant field).  
  
• Have at least five years’ relevant professional experience.  
  
• Be a mid-career professional with responsibilities for national or international security, and employed within government, public or private sector, academia, defence, security, law enforcement, intelligence, civil protection, resilience, or an international organisation.
  
• Be working in a role with the potential to influence organisational capability, policy, strategy, or operational effectiveness within their organisation and/or country.  
  
• Be able to demonstrate leadership potential and a commitment to applying the knowledge and networks gained through the fellowship within their organisation and/or country on completion of the programme.  

Funding and benefits

Each fellowship includes: 

• Full programme fees 

• Living expenses for the duration of the fellowship, including pre-arranged accommodation close to Oxford

• Return economy airfare