Chevening Europe Defence and Security Fellowship 2027 in the UK

The Chevening Europe Defence and Security Fellowship 2027 is a six-week programme for mid-career professionals from eligible European countries working in security and defence. Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and delivered by Cranfield University, the fellowship includes full programme fees, living expenses and return economy airfare. Applications close on 27 September 2026 at 11:00 UTC.

Quick Overview

Programme: Chevening Europe Defence and Security Fellowship
Opportunity Type: Fellowship
Host: Cranfield University
Location: Defence Academy of the United Kingdom, Shrivenham
Duration: Six weeks
Programme Dates: 25 January–5 March 2027 or 15 March–23 April 2027
Financial Support: Full programme fees, living expenses and return economy airfare
Deadline: 27 September 2026 at 11:00 UTC

About the Chevening Europe Defence and Security Fellowship

The fellowship is funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and delivered by Cranfield University at the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom in Shrivenham.

It is designed for mid-career professionals from across Europe who have demonstrated leadership potential in security and defence.

The programme provides an interdisciplinary and applied learning experience. It focuses on strategic challenges affecting governments, international organisations and public institutions.

Over six weeks, fellows participate in teaching, discussions, practical exercises, site visits, individual research and collaborative learning.

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Programme Themes and Activities

The fellowship 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 participate in lectures, workshops, simulations and sessions with practitioner speakers.

The programme also includes research activities, UK institutional visits and opportunities to build professional networks across Europe and the UK.

Participants are encouraged to examine organisational culture, human behaviour, governance and institutional resilience. They also explore cyber security, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.

The programme develops approaches to strategic decision-making under uncertainty, competing pressures and incomplete information.

Research Project

Each fellow works on a research project addressing a relevant policy, leadership, organisational or security challenge.

Academic support is provided during the development of the project.

At the end of the fellowship, participants present their findings to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in London.

Fellowship Benefits

Each fellowship includes:

✓ Full programme fees

✓ Living expenses for the duration of the fellowship

✓ Pre-arranged accommodation close to Oxford

✓ Return economy airfare

The official programme page confirms these benefits for fellowship participants.

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Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the programme-specific eligibility requirements in addition to Chevening’s standard fellowship eligibility criteria.

Candidates must:

• Be a citizen of and resident in an eligible country at the time of application.

• Hold a postgraduate qualification, or equivalent professional training or experience in a relevant field.

• Have at least five years of relevant professional experience.

• Be a mid-career professional with responsibilities for national or international security.

• Be employed within government, the public or private sector, academia, defence, security, law enforcement, intelligence, civil protection, resilience or an international organisation.

• Work in a role with the potential to influence organisational capability, policy, strategy or operational effectiveness within their organisation and/or country.

• Demonstrate leadership potential.

• Show a commitment to applying the knowledge and networks gained through the fellowship within their organisation and/or country after completing the programme.

Eligible Countries

Applicants must be citizens 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
• Switzerland

Applicants living in a European overseas territory may apply through the relevant Chevening award scheme for the European country of which they are a citizen.

Fellowship Dates

The programme lasts six weeks and offers two cohorts:

• Cohort 1: 25 January–5 March 2027

• Cohort 2: 15 March–23 April 2027

Both cohorts follow the fellowship’s security, defence, leadership and strategic decision-making focus.

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Application Deadline

Applications are open until:

27 September 2026 at 11:00 UTC

Applicants should review the programme-specific requirements and the standard Chevening Fellowship eligibility criteria before submitting an application.

Official Link

Review the official programme details and follow the application instructions provided on the official page.

View the Official Chevening Europe Defence and Security Fellowship Page