Chevening Western Balkans Cyber Security Fellowship 2026
- Omran Aburayya
- Aug 10
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 18
If you’re a mid-career professional from the Western Balkans with a passion for cybersecurity or cyber policy, the Chevening Western Balkans Cyber Security Fellowship 2026 is now open for applications! Hosted by Cranfield University at the Defence Academy of the UK, this fully funded 10-week programme offers a rare blend of policy insight, leadership development, and international exposure.
🎓 Fellowship Summary
Location: United Kingdom (Cranfield University, Defence Academy – Shrivenham Campus)
Host Institution: Cranfield University (Defence Academy of the UK)
Level: Professional development fellowship (mid-career)
Target Group: Mid-career professionals from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, or Serbia, with leadership potential in cyber security or cyber policy
Fields of Focus: Cybersecurity policy & legislation, national security, economics of online business, cyber-crime, privacy, internet law, regional and UK–Western Balkans issues
Value & Coverage: Full programme fees, living expenses for the 10-week duration, return economy airfare from the Western Balkans to the UK
Duration: 10 weeks
Application Deadline: 7 October 2025 (12:00 GMT)
Start Date: September to November period in 2025 (approximate, based on prior cycle
🎯 Programme Overview
The fellowship's core structure spans 10 weeks and includes a comprehensive curriculum covering:
Cyber Threats: Risk landscapes, national security impacts, internet governance, protection of critical infrastructure
Economics of Online Business Cybersecurity, consumer protection, adoption barriers, open-source relevance
Cyber-crime & Internet Law: Economic impact, policy responses at domestic and international levels, privacy issues, social media misuse, accountability in digital spaces
Regional Relevance: Challenges specific to the UK and Western Balkans
The fellowship fosters collaboration with international peers, experts, and policymakers, and culminates in actionable insights and networks across regions .
🎁 Benefits
Comprehensive Funding: Includes full programme fees, living stipend, and economy round-trip airfare.
Policy & Leadership Exposure: Deep expertise across technical policy domains and strategic cyber governance.
Networking: Access to a global cohort of cybersecurity professionals and UK-based experts.
Regional Impact Potential: Equip yourself to shape digital resilience, regulatory frameworks, and cyber policy excellence in the Western Balkans.
✅ Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for this fellowship, you must:
Be a citizen and resident of one of the designated Western Balkan countries.
Commit to returning home post-fellowship.
Hold a postgraduate qualification or equivalent training/experience.
Have at least 5 years of relevant work experience in cyber security or policy—whether in government, academia, or advisory roles.
Be proficient in English.
Not hold British or dual British citizenship.
Not be (or closely related to) a current/former employee of UK government bodies or associated organizations within two years of application opening.
Not have received UK Government (including Chevening) scholarship funding in the past five years.
📝 Application Procedure & Timeline
Application Portal: Submit your application via the official Chevening website once applications open.
Deadline: Submit by 7 October.
Programme Dates: Runs approximately from September to November 2026.
🔗 OFFICIAL CALL LINK
