Call for Applications for the Young Security Conference Fellowship 2025/2026

Do you want to be part of a unique experience and get the opportunity to contribute to current debates on European and transatlantic security policy?

We are offering 10 fellowships as part of the new Young Security Conference (YSC) Programme, running from November 2025 to June 2026. Apply by 28 September 2025!

Fellows will gain access to in-depth policy discussions, broaden their academic and professional networks, and present their work to an engaged audience of experts and decision-makers in the fields of international relations and security policy.

  • The Young Security Conference has long been committed to advancing the conversation around a stable and reliable European security architecture. Since 2020, it has brought together more than 150 fellows at five annual conferences.

    In 2025, this issue takes on renewed urgency amid shifting geopolitical dynamics, particularly considering developments within Europe and under the current U.S. administration.

    The 2025/26 Fellowship cohort will focus on the future of European security in an increasingly volatile context – marked by both an ongoing war in Europe and a noticeable decline in U.S. commitment to NATO. These developments are deeply interconnected. NATO, the cornerstone of European peace for nearly 80 years, now faces the risk of marginalization or even dissolution should the U.S. withdraw or reduce its engagement to nuclear deterrence alone.

    Fellows will explore how Europe can respond strategically to this potential power vacuum and cultivate the military and political capacity necessary to deter foreign aggression. Here, a particular focus continues to lie on the Franco-German relationship as a cornerstone for European strategic autonomy. This critical question will form the core of discussions throughout the fellowship period.

  • The YSC Fellowship is open to young professionals and academics under the age of 35 with a demonstrated interest in international relations, diplomacy, security policy, or related fields. We encourage applications from:

    • Individuals from EU and NATO member states

    • Applicants from countries bordering the EU and NATO’s eastern flank

    • Women and underrepresented groups in the field of security studies

    Applicants should have academic or professional experience in relevant disciplines and a receptiveness to engage with diverse perspectives.

What We Offer

Our new Fellowship Programme is built on two pillars

  • Fellows will have the opportunity to present their research at key events, including:

    • The Bavarian Winterschool on Trade and Security (November 2025)

    • MSC@Amerikahaus – Emerging Leaders, the largest official side event of the Munich Security Conference (February 2026)

    These platforms will allow you to contribute to public discourse on geopolitics and gain valuable skills and visibility in academic and policy communities.

  • Fellows will co-design and lead the flagship Young Security Conference in May or June 2026. This includes selecting the main theme, curating panel discussions, and supporting event management,  such as communications and speaker invitations. This is a chance to shape a key gathering of thought leaders in European and transatlantic security.

    Travel stipends will be provided for participation in the three mandatory events in Munich during the fellowship term.

    • 28 September 2025: Deadline for applications

    • 15 October 2025: Fellowships are being awarded

    • End of October 2025: Virtual Orientation Session (remote)

    • 14 to 15 November 2025: Third Bavarian Winter School on Trade and Security in Munich (in-person; attendance mandatory)

    • February 2026: MSC@Amerikahaus Session in Munich (in-person; attendance mandatory)

    • May/June 2026: Young Security Conference - Fellowship flagship event (in-person; attendance mandatory)

  • Please send the following documents as one PDF (NAME_YSC_25) to: sicherheitspolitik@amerikahaus.de

    1. Current CV

    2. A Letter of Motivation (2000-4000 characters) - please indicate

      • How does the fellowship - with its specific topic - speak to your academic or professional experience in the field? Why would your participation in the programme be fruitful to other fellows?

      • How would you give back to the programme once you are a Young Security Conference alumni?

    Deadline is 28 September 2025, 12:00am CET

  • We offer fellows a grant of up 500 Euro to cover travel and accommodation costs. Additional funding may be available throughout the programme, connected to additional activities. 

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