Young professionals interested in international relations, European security, diplomacy and public policy have an opportunity to participate in a three-month fellowship program in Munich, Germany. The Young Security Conference Fellowship 2026–27 will bring together a small group of emerging researchers and professionals to examine some of Europe's most pressing political, economic and security challenges.
Organized in collaboration with Amerikahaus Munich and several partner institutions, the fellowship combines in-person policy workshops, online collaboration and discussions involving international experts. Unlike a traditional academic scholarship, this program focuses on policy research, professional engagement and the development of practical recommendations.
Young Security Conference Fellowship 2026–27: Key Details
Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
Fellowship | Young Security Conference Fellowship 2026/2027 |
Host location | Munich, Germany |
Program duration | December 2026 – February 2027 |
Available places | Up to 8 |
Age requirement | Under 35 |
Eligible applicants | Early-career researchers and professionals |
Academic fields | International Relations, Security Studies, Political Science, Economics and Law |
Funding | Tuition waiver, travel grants and accommodation subsidies |
Application method | Email submission |
Application deadline | November 11, 2026 |
Application language | English |
What Is the Young Security Conference Fellowship?
The Young Security Conference Fellowship is a professional development and policy research initiative designed to introduce emerging leaders to high-level discussions on European and transatlantic security.Since 2020, the Young Security Conference has brought together more than 150 fellows through five annual conferences, according to the organizers.
For the 2026–27 edition, the program will select up to eight fellows to participate in policy discussions, develop research contributions and interact with scholars and decision-makers.The fellowship runs from December 2026 to February 2027, with mandatory in-person activities in Munich and an online working phase between the residential sessions.Participants will have opportunities to develop their professional networks and contribute their perspectives to discussions on European security and democratic resilience.
Who Can Apply for the YSC Fellowship 2026–27?
The fellowship is intended for individuals who are at an early stage of their professional or research careers but already have relevant academic or practical experience.
Applicants must be under 35 years of age and demonstrate a background in one or more of the following fields:
International Relations
Security Studies
Political Science
Economics
Law
The organizers specifically identify young professionals, researchers, policy analysts and diplomats as suitable applicants.
Applicants should be able to contribute meaningfully to policy discussions and demonstrate an interest in European or transatlantic security.
Can International Applicants Apply?
Yes. The program includes a dedicated category for non-EU fellows, covering international and transatlantic partners.
The eight available places are distributed across four categories.
Fellowship category | Available places | Regional scope |
|---|---|---|
Bavarian Fellows | 2 | Institutions and universities in Bavaria |
French Fellows | 2 | French institutions and think tanks |
EU & UK Fellows | 2 | EU member states and the United Kingdom |
Non-EU Fellows | 2 | International and transatlantic partners |
Total | 8 |
This structure provides a route for eligible applicants from outside the European Union.
However, international applicants should not assume that every nationality is automatically eligible. The organizers encourage applications from NATO and EU countries and underrepresented groups in security studies. Applicants from other countries should confirm their eligibility with the program team.
The selection committee also aims for female participation of at least 50%.
YSC Fellowship 2026–27 Funding and Benefits
One of the main attractions of the fellowship is the financial and institutional support available to selected participants.
The program offers several benefits intended to reduce the cost of attending its mandatory activities in Germany.
1. Full Tuition Waiver
Selected fellows receive a 100% tuition waiver for the Bavarian Winter School on Trade and Security.
This allows participants to attend the academic program without paying its tuition fee.
2. Travel Grants
The fellowship provides travel cost subsidies for journeys to and from Munich during mandatory in-person phases.
The announcement does not specify a fixed travel grant amount or guarantee that all travel expenses will be reimbursed.
3. Accommodation Support
Fellows are eligible for subsidies toward hotel and lodging expenses during their residential stays in Munich.
The exact accommodation allowance has not been published in the announcement.
4. Research Facilities
Participants receive access to workstations, research resources and event spaces at Amerikahaus Munich.
These facilities support collaborative research, policy development and preparation for fellowship activities.
5. Professional Networking
Selected fellows can receive invitations to closed-door roundtable discussions, networking sessions and institutional study visits.
These activities provide opportunities to engage with experienced researchers, policymakers and professionals working on international security.
Important funding clarification: The fellowship includes a full tuition waiver and financial support for travel and accommodation, but the official announcement describes travel and lodging support as subsidies. Applicants should confirm any remaining personal expenses before accepting an offer.
What Will Fellows Study During the Program?
The 2026–27 fellowship focuses on the relationship between democratic stability, national security and economic prosperity.
Its central theme is:
The Crisis of Liberal Democracy as a Threat to National Security and Economic Prosperity
The program examines how political polarization, declining public trust and challenges to democratic institutions can affect Europe's security and economic position.
Four interconnected areas will guide the discussions.
Democratic Stability and Hybrid Threats
Participants will explore how disinformation, cyber operations and external interference can exploit divisions within democratic societies.
The discussions will consider the implications for electoral integrity, institutional trust and national security.
European Security Decision-Making
Another area concerns the ability of European institutions to respond collectively to security challenges.
Fellows will examine how political disagreements and veto mechanisms can influence European Union and NATO cooperation.
The United Kingdom and Transatlantic Security
The fellowship will also explore the relationship between the United Kingdom, continental Europe and NATO.
This includes the importance of intelligence cooperation, collective defense and coordinated responses to emerging threats.
Economic Resilience
Participants will study how political instability, market fragmentation and weakening legal institutions can affect economic prosperity.
The discussions will consider Europe's ability to maintain economic cooperation and respond to external economic pressure.
YSC Fellowship 2026–27 Program Schedule
The fellowship includes two residential policy lab phases and one online working period.
Date | Activity |
|---|---|
November 11, 2026 | Application deadline |
December 4–5, 2026 | 4th Bavarian Winter School on Trade and Security |
December 2026 | Policy Lab Phase 1 at Amerikahaus Munich, lasting 3–4 days |
January 2027 | Online working phase |
February 2027 | Policy Lab Phase 2 at Amerikahaus Munich |
February 2027 | Munich Security Conference-related MSC@Amerikahaus session |
The first residential policy lab takes place immediately after the Bavarian Winter School.
The second in-person phase is scheduled before the Munich Security Conference and will focus on finalizing participants' policy contributions.
Exact dates for some February activities have not been specified in the announcement.
Documents Required for the YSC Fellowship Application
Applicants must prepare three documents in English and combine them into a single PDF file.
Document | Requirement |
|---|---|
Curriculum Vitae (CV) | Maximum 2 pages, including date of birth and contact information |
Motivation Letter | Maximum 1 page explaining motivation and relevant experience |
Research Proposal / Working Hypothesis | Maximum 500 words addressing one of the specified research questions |
Research Proposal Topics
Applicants must prepare a short proposal addressing one of two questions.
Option 1: Institutional and Economic Resilience
How can the European Union and the United Kingdom strengthen their institutional and economic resilience against external hybrid threats?
Option 2: Security Governance
Which governance mechanisms can protect European foreign and security decision-making against illiberal vetoes?
The proposal should demonstrate the applicant's understanding of the selected issue and present a clear, focused argument or working hypothesis.
A strong submission should connect the proposed research with the fellowship's central theme and explain its potential policy relevance.
How to Apply for the Young Security Conference Fellowship 2026–27
The application process is conducted through email rather than a separate online application portal.
Applicants should follow these steps:
Review the eligibility requirements and fellowship structure.
Prepare an updated CV of no more than two pages.
Write a one-page motivation letter explaining relevant experience and interest in the fellowship.
Develop a research proposal of no more than 500 words on one of the two specified questions.
Combine all three documents into a single PDF in English.
Email the completed application to the designated submission address before the deadline.
Application email: [email protected]
Deadline: Wednesday, November 11, 2026
The official announcement does not specify a submission cutoff time or time zone. Applicants should therefore avoid waiting until the final hours of the deadline.
Why This Fellowship May Be Valuable for Young Researchers
The YSC Fellowship offers a different experience from a conventional classroom-based academic program.
Its focus is on connecting research with current policy debates.
Participants can work alongside individuals from different academic and professional backgrounds, develop policy-oriented research and receive exposure to discussions involving international experts.
For early-career researchers, the program can help develop skills in policy analysis, research communication and international collaboration.
For professionals working in diplomacy, government, think tanks or related fields, the fellowship provides opportunities to examine security challenges from different national and institutional perspectives.
The small cohort size also creates an environment for closer collaboration among participants.
Who Organizes the Fellowship?
The Young Security Conference Fellowship is organized with the involvement of several German and international institutions.These include Amerikahaus – Bavarian Center for Transatlantic Relations, BayFrance, FoKS (Bavarian alliance for peace, conflict and security research), Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, Thomas Dehler Foundation and Young Security Conference.Amerikahaus Munich serves as a central venue for the fellowship's in-person activities.
Final Reminder: Apply Before November 11, 2026
Applications for the Young Security Conference Fellowship 2026–27 are open until November 11, 2026. With only eight places available across four regional categories, the program offers a selective opportunity for young researchers and professionals interested in European and transatlantic security.
Candidates should carefully review the eligibility criteria, prepare a focused research proposal and submit all required documents in one English-language PDF. Those applying from outside the EU should also confirm their eligibility and the extent of travel and accommodation support before making financial commitments.The fellowship begins in December 2026 and concludes in February 2027.
