About this role
Young Security Conference Fellowship 2026–2027
The Young Security Conference (YSC) Fellowship 2026–2027 is inviting applications from outstanding young professionals, researchers, policy analysts, and diplomats interested in European security, international relations, democratic governance, and transatlantic cooperation. The fellowship provides an exceptional opportunity for early-career individuals to participate in high-level discussions shaping Europe’s contemporary security architecture while developing practical policy recommendations on some of the most pressing political and security challenges facing the continent.
Organised by the Young Security Conference in cooperation with several institutional partners, the fellowship will run from December 2026 to February 2027 and will award up to eight fully supported fellowship places to qualified applicants. Selected fellows will participate in international conferences, expert workshops, policy development sessions, institutional visits, and networking activities involving academics, senior policymakers, strategic analysts, and other international decision-makers.
The central theme for the 2026–2027 edition is “Liberal Democracy in Crisis: Why Liberal Democracy is the Prerequisite for a Strong Europe.” Through this theme, the programme will examine the growing challenges confronting European democracies and investigate how democratic resilience influences national security, economic prosperity, defence cooperation, and Europe’s international standing.
The fellowship comes at a time when Europe is experiencing increasing political polarization, declining institutional trust, geopolitical uncertainty, and the growing influence of illiberal populist movements. These developments have raised important questions about the ability of European institutions to maintain political stability, coordinate security policies, protect democratic values, and respond effectively to external threats.
Through its structured programme, the Young Security Conference Fellowship aims to equip emerging professionals with the analytical, research, policy-development, and networking skills necessary to contribute meaningfully to these discussions.
One of the most attractive aspects of the opportunity is its connection to the Munich Security Conference. Fellows will have the opportunity to independently curate, organise, and host a public side-event through MSC@Amerikahaus 2027, presenting their policy contributions to an audience of international conference delegates and security experts.
Selected participants will also receive financial support, including travel cost subsidies for mandatory in-person programme activities, accommodation allowances during Munich residencies, free participation in the Bavarian Winter School on Trade and Security, and access to institutional research and event facilities at Amerikahaus Munich.
Applications are open to eligible individuals under 35 years of age with relevant academic or professional backgrounds in International Relations, Security Studies, Political Science, Economics, or Law. The organisers particularly encourage applications from individuals based in NATO and European Union countries, as well as underrepresented groups in security studies.
Interested applicants must submit their complete application documents in English as one compiled PDF file by email no later than November 11, 2026.
- Overview of the Young Security Conference Fellowship 2026–2027
The Young Security Conference Fellowship is an international programme designed to bring together emerging scholars and professionals who are interested in understanding and addressing contemporary security challenges affecting Europe and the transatlantic community.
The programme provides an environment in which young professionals can engage directly with policy debates, exchange ideas with experienced experts, develop original research contributions, and build professional relationships with individuals working in international security and related fields.
Since 2020, the Young Security Conference has convened more than 150 fellows across five annual conferences. Through these activities, the initiative has established a platform for young professionals and researchers to participate in discussions that influence contemporary security policy.
The 2026–2027 edition will continue this approach while placing particular emphasis on democratic resilience and the relationship between liberal democracy and European security.
The organisers recognise that democratic governance is not simply a political or constitutional issue. It is also a fundamental component of national security, economic stability, international cooperation, and the effectiveness of collective defence arrangements.
Consequently, the fellowship will encourage participants to examine the consequences of democratic erosion and identify practical approaches for strengthening European institutions and security cooperation.
Key Fellowship Information
Fellowship detail Information
Programme name Young Security Conference Fellowship 2026–2027
Organiser Young Security Conference (YSC)
Programme period December 2026 – February 2027
Number of available places Up to 8 fellows
Main location Munich, Germany
Online component January 2027
Main theme Liberal Democracy in Crisis: Why Liberal Democracy is the Prerequisite for a Strong Europe
Target audience Young professionals, researchers, policy analysts, and diplomats
Age requirement Under 35 years
Relevant backgrounds International Relations, Security Studies, Political Science, Economics, and Law
Financial support Travel subsidies, accommodation allowances, and free Winter School participation
Application language English
Application method Email submission
Application deadline November 11, 2026
- Thematic Focus: Liberal Democracy in Crisis and Its Importance for European Security
The central theme of the 2026–2027 fellowship is the crisis of liberal democracy and its implications for Europe’s ability to maintain security, economic prosperity, and political stability.
European democracies are confronting several interconnected challenges, including declining public confidence in political institutions, growing social polarization, the expansion of illiberal populist movements, and concerns about the independence and effectiveness of democratic institutions.
What may initially appear to be domestic political disagreements can develop into broader challenges affecting European integration, collective defence, economic cooperation, and international influence.
The weakening of democratic standards can undermine the ability of governments to make effective decisions, weaken public trust in institutions, and create opportunities for external actors to exploit divisions within democratic societies.
The fellowship will examine four major dimensions of this challenge.
2.1. Internal Disruption and the Exploitation of Hybrid Threats
One of the programme’s major areas of focus is the exploitation of internal divisions within democratic societies by authoritarian and external actors.
European countries face increasingly complex security challenges involving disinformation, cyber operations, foreign interference, and other forms of hybrid activity.
Actors such as Russia and China are identified within the programme’s thematic framework as examples of external powers whose activities can intersect with domestic vulnerabilities in European democracies.
Through targeted information campaigns, cyber operations, and illicit financing, external actors may seek to weaken democratic institutions, undermine electoral integrity, and reduce public confidence in political systems.
These activities can make societies more vulnerable to manipulation and complicate the ability of governments to respond to national and international security threats.
The fellowship will encourage participants to examine:
- How foreign disinformation campaigns influence public opinion and political debate.
- The relationship between domestic polarization and external security threats.
- The use of cyber operations against democratic institutions.
- Foreign interference in electoral processes.
- The role of illicit financing in undermining democratic governance.
- How European governments can strengthen institutional and societal resilience.
- The importance of protecting public trust and democratic accountability.
By exa