Chevening Europe Defence and Security Fellowship

Deadline: 27-Sep-2026

The Chevening Europe Defence and Security Fellowship offers eligible mid-career professionals from selected European countries a fully funded six-week leadership and professional-development experience in the United Kingdom. Delivered by Cranfield University at the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom, the program combines interdisciplinary teaching, simulations, institutional visits, collaborative learning, and an individual research project.

About the Program

The program is funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and delivered by Cranfield University. It is designed for professionals working in security, defence, resilience, intelligence, law enforcement, government, academia, international organizations, and related fields. The fellowship strengthens participants’ ability to: - Lead through complexity. - Make strategic decisions. - Understand people and organizations. - Respond to cyber and information threats. - Assess emerging technologies. - Build institutional resilience. - Develop cross-border professional networks. - Apply research to real policy and security challenges. Program Duration and Location

The fellowship provides:

- Duration: Six weeks.

- Location: United Kingdom.

- Academic provider: Cranfield University.

- Primary delivery site: Defence Academy of the United Kingdom.

- Accommodation: Pre-arranged accommodation near Oxford.

- Format: Full-time, intensive, and interdisciplinary.

Applicants should be available throughout the complete six-week period. Purpose of the Fellowship

The program aims to:

- Strengthen security and defence leadership across Europe. - Improve strategic decision-making. - Develop institutional and organizational resilience. - Increase awareness of cyber and information threats. - Build understanding of artificial intelligence and emerging technology. - Strengthen collaboration between European professionals and the UK. - Encourage interdisciplinary approaches to security. - Support evidence-based policy development. - Build durable professional networks. - Prepare leaders for future crises and complex challenges. Who the Program Is Designed For The fellowship is intended for mid-career professionals in fields such as: - Defence. - National security. - Government. - Public administration. - Law enforcement. - Intelligence. - Civil protection. - Emergency management. - Cybersecurity. - Institutional resilience. - Academia. - Private-sector security. - International organizations. Applicants should demonstrate how their role relates to security, defence, strategic leadership, or national and institutional resilience. Integrated Curriculum The curriculum is organized around six connected themes: - Global leadership in an era of complexity. - Understanding people and organizations. - Cyber resilience and information threats. - Artificial intelligence and emerging technology. - Strategic decision-making under pressure. - Building resilience for future leadership. These themes connect leadership, technology, institutional performance, and security policy. Global Leadership in an Era of Complexity This theme examines how leaders operate in uncertain, interconnected, and rapidly changing environments.

Participants may explore

- Geopolitical change. - Complex security systems. - Strategic uncertainty. - International cooperation. - Leadership across institutions. - Crisis communication. - Ethical leadership. - Competing political and operational priorities. - Whole-of-government approaches. - Cross-border security challenges. The aim is to help participants lead when problems have no simple or predictable solution. Understanding People and Organizations Security and defence institutions depend on people, culture, leadership, and organizational systems.

This theme may address:

- Organizational behaviour. - Institutional culture. - Leadership styles. - Team performance. - Motivation. - Communication. - Organizational change. - Diversity and inclusion. - Decision-making structures. - Conflict within organizations. - Trust and accountability. Participants will consider how human and institutional factors influence operational effectiveness. Cyber Resilience and Information Threats Cyber resilience is the ability of institutions to prepare for, withstand, respond to, and recover from cyber incidents.

Relevant topics may include:

- Cybersecurity risks. - Critical infrastructure. - Hybrid threats. - Disinformation. - Misinformation. - Information operations. - Digital influence. - Cyber incident response. - Public trust. - Institutional preparedness. - International cyber cooperation. Participants should gain a strategic understanding of cyber and information threats rather than focusing only on technical systems. Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technology The program examines how artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies affect security, defence, governance, and strategic decision-making.

Topics may include:

- AI-assisted analysis. - Autonomous systems. - Predictive tools. - Surveillance technologies. - Data-driven decision-making. - Technology governance. - Algorithmic bias. - Cybersecurity implications. - Ethical risks. - Human oversight. - Military and civilian applications. - Responsible innovation. Participants will be encouraged to assess both the opportunities and risks of emerging technologies. Strategic Decision-Making Under Pressure Security professionals often make decisions with limited information, urgent timelines, and significant consequences.

This theme may explore:

- Crisis decision-making. - Risk analysis. - Scenario planning. - Strategic judgement. - Cognitive bias. - Interagency coordination. - Evidence assessment. - Ethical dilemmas. - Communication under pressure. - Decision accountability. Simulations and practical exercises may help participants test these skills. Building Resilience for Future Leadership Resilience involves preparing institutions and societies to manage shoc