Young Security Conference (YSC) Fellowship 2026

Deadline: November 11, 2026

Applications are open for the Young Security Conference (YSC) Fellowship 2026. The Young Security Conference (YSC) Fellowship offers an exceptional opportunity to participate in high-level debates shaping contemporary European and transatlantic security architecture.

Running from December 2026 to February 2027, the program awards up to 8 fully supported fellowship places to outstanding early-career scholars and professionals. Fellows gain direct access to political deliberations, expand their academic and institutional networks, and present original policy contributions to an audience of international decision makers and scholars.

Benefits

Free Participation: Full participation in the Bavarian Winter School on Trade and Security at no cost.

Travel Grants: Travel cost subsidies for journeys to and from Munich for all mandatory in-person phases.

Accommodation Allowances: Subsidies covering hotel and lodging expenses during Munich residencies.

Institutional Infrastructure: Full access to workstations, research resources, and event spaces at Amerikahaus Munich.

Executive Access: Invitations to closed-door roundtable discussions, VIP networking sessions, and institutional study visits.

Eligibility

The fellowship is designed for young professionals, researchers, policy analysts, and diplomats under 35 years of age with a proven background in International Relations, Security Studies, Political Science, Economics, or Law.

Applications from individuals based in NATO/EU countries and underrepresented groups in security studies are strongly encouraged. The selection committee aims for a female participation rate of at least 50%.

Application

Interested applicants should submit the following documents in English as a single compiled PDF:

Curriculum Vitae (CV): Maximum 2 pages, including date of birth and contact information.

Letter of Motivation: Maximum 1 page articulating personal motivation and relevant experience.

Short Proposal / Working Hypothesis: Maximum 500 words addressing one of the core questions:

How can the EU and UK strengthen their institutional and economic resilience against external hybrid threats?

Which governance mechanisms can safeguard European foreign and security decision-making against illiberal vetoes?

Send your application by email to [email protected] by November 11, 2026.

For more information, visit YSC Fellowship.

The fellowship is designed for young professionals, researchers, policy analysts, and diplomats under 35 years of age with a proven background in International Relations, Security Studies, Political Science, Economics, or Law. Applications from individuals based in NATO/EU countries and underrepresented groups in security studies are strongly encouraged. The selection committee aims for a female participation rate of at least 50%.

Free Participation: Full participation in the Bavarian Winter School on Trade and Security at no cost. Travel Grants: Travel cost subsidies for journeys to and from Munich for all mandatory in-person phases. Accommodation Allowances: Subsidies covering hotel and lodging expenses during Munich residencies. Institutional Infrastructure: Full access to workstations, research resources, and event spaces at Amerikahaus Munich. Executive Access: Invitations to closed-door roundtable discussions, VIP networking sessions, and institutional study visits.

Interested applicants should submit the following documents in English as a single compiled PDF: Curriculum Vitae (CV): Maximum 2 pages, including date of birth and contact information. Letter of Motivation: Maximum 1 page articulating personal motivation and relevant experience. Short Proposal / Working Hypothesis: Maximum 500 words addressing one of the core questions: How can the EU and UK strengthen their institutional and economic resilience against external hybrid threats? Which governance mechanisms can safeguard European foreign and security decision-making against illiberal vetoes? Send your application by email to [email protected] by November 11, 2026. For more information, visit YSC Fellowship.