EU Cyber Diplomacy (EU:CD) Fellowship 2025/2026

If you are a professional from outside the EU/EEA with a strong interest in international cyber-affairs and policy, you will be pleased to know that applications are now open for the EU:CD Fellowship 2025/2026, organised by the EU Cyber Diplomacy Initiative (EU Cyber Direct) (in partnership with the European Union Institute for Security Studies / EUISS). The call invites experts from around the world to join a six-month, non-residential programme (December 2025 – June 2026) combining online learning with two in-person gatherings. Here's everything you need to know.

🎓 Fellowship Summary

• Location: Hybrid format (online + two in-person meetings: one in Brussels, Belgium; a second international location to be confirmed)

• Host Institution: EU Cyber Diplomacy Initiative (EU Cyber Direct) — supported by EU institutions/think-tanks (e.g., EUISS)

• Type: Fellowship / professional development programme (non-academic degree)

• Target Group: Professionals, researchers, practitioners from non-EU/EEA countries (no age or seniority restriction) in government, academia, civil society, private sector with relevance to cyber diplomacy/digital policy.

• Fields of Focus: International cyber diplomacy; key thematic areas include cyber capacity building; responsible state behaviour in cyberspace; human rights in the cyber sphere; critical infrastructure & information infrastructure protection; governance of emerging/disruptive technologies; hybrid threats; multistakeholder cooperation; science for cyber diplomacy.

• Value & Coverage: Travel support provided (flights + accommodation) for the two in-person meetings; the Fellowship itself is non-residential, so no full stipend listed beyond travel/participation support.

• Duration: Six months (December 2025 to June 2026)

• Application Deadline: 16 November 2025 (23:59 CET)

• Start Date: December 2025 (programme begins)

  
  

✨ Fellowship Overview

The EU:CD Fellowship is designed as a six-month, non-residential, hybrid professional programme that blends online engagement with in-person gatherings in Brussels and a second location.

📙 Objective

The fellowship’s aim is to support rigorous, policy-relevant inquiry into international cyber affairs, by enabling participants to:

• Discuss salient policy dilemmas in cyber diplomacy;

• Engage with stakeholders at national, regional and international levels;

• Inform domestic and international debates;

• Share knowledge beyond the cohort via written and spoken contributions (publications, webinars, policy briefs) while fostering networks and strengthening North-South / South-South cooperation.

🧩 Programme Structure / Activities

• Knowledge Building: Online sessions designed for cohort-driven exchanges, exploring diverse regional perspectives, policy drafting, negotiation, speaking and writing methods.

• Peer Learning: Targeted online thematic sessions where fellows engage with senior officials and leading international experts from EU member states and beyond.

• Community Building: Two in-person engagements: one in Brussels, one in a second location (to be confirmed) offering direct exposure to EU institutions, inter-regional dialogue, networking with key stakeholders.

• Impact / Policy-making: At the start of the fellowship, each fellow submits a short work plan outlining at least two outputs — one written (e.g., analytical paper, policy brief, blog post) and one convening (e.g., webinar, workshop) to be developed across the fellowship period. The organisers provide editorial guidance, mentorship and publication platforms.

🎁 Benefits of the Programme

• Opportunity to engage with the policy-making environment of the European Union and its cyber diplomacy institutions.

• Access to a global network of cyber diplomacy practitioners, experts and peers from diverse regions.

• Travel and accommodation costs for the in-person meetings are covered.

• Editorial, mentorship and publication support to produce policy-relevant outputs (written and convening format) that may raise professional profile and impact.

• A platform to strengthen regional-to-regional cooperation (especially North-South and South-South) in cyber diplomacy and digital policy arenas.

• Structured but non-residential format offers flexibility (valuable if you are based outside Europe and cannot move full-time).

✅ Eligibility Criteria

To apply, candidates must meet the following key criteria:

• Be based in a non-EU/EEA country (citizens or residents of countries outside the European Union or European Economic Area)

• Demonstrable relevance of cyber and/or digital developments in current work — i.e., your professional or research work should clearly engage with cyber/digital policy topics.

• Proven track record in cyber diplomacy or a closely related field (could be emerging experts or seasoned practitioners) — the fellowship welcomes all career stages.

• Ability to undertake independent, policy-relevant analysis.

• Strong English writing and public speaking skills (as the outputs and engagements will require these).

• For the in-person meetings: while travel/accommodation is covered, fellows must handle their own visa arrangements.

📝 Application Procedure

• Deadline: 16 November 2025 (23:59 CET).

• Application submission: via the official online form of EU:CD.

• Application file: A single PDF file containing:

  1. Curriculum Vitae (max 2 pages)

  2. Motivation Letter (max 2 pages), addressing:

     • Why you consider yourself a strong fit for the Fellowship.

     • How your expertise will contribute to EU:CD’s mission in shaping cyber diplomacy.

     • Two brief descriptions (maximum 150 words each):

       
       

       • One for a proposed publication (including a working title).

       
       

       • One for a proposed webinar you would lead during the Fellowship.

👌🏻 Tips for Applicants

• Ensure your CV clearly highlights experience or interest in cyber diplomacy, digital policy or related fields—studies alone may be less compelling than applied work or analysis.

• In your motivation letter, highlight how your regional perspective (especially outside Europe) can contribute to inter-regional and cross-regional cyber diplomacy dialogues — since the programme emphasises region-to-region cooperation.

• For your proposed publication and webinar descriptions: pick a topical cyber diplomacy challenge (for example, digital infrastructure resilience in the Global South, or human rights in cyberspace) and propose a focused output — well-defined working title and format improves clarity.

• Emphasise your capacity for independent policy-analysis, writing and public speaking. Give examples of past work (reports, blog posts, conference presentations) if available.

• Prepare logistical arrangements for the in-person sessions: although travel/accommodation are covered, you will still need to manage visa applications. Ensure you are ready in case you are selected.

• Submit early and in full: combine all required documents into the single said PDF, observe page-limits, and make your documents concise and clear.

  
  

🔗 Apply Now

🔗 Official Website

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