Chevening Western Balkans Cyber Security Fellowship

Overview

The Chevening Western Balkans Cyber Security Fellowship is funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. 

It’s for mid-career professionals from the Western Balkans who have demonstrable leadership potential in cyber security or cyber policy. 

Fellows will gain a deeper understanding of the policy and legislative approaches in cyber security and the corresponding implications for national security, commercial opportunity, crime prevention, and the right to privacy. 

The fellowship will take place at Cranfield University, at the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom (Shrivenham Campus). 

Duration

The duration of this fellowship is 10 weeks.

• Start: September
• End: November

More about the programme

Are you ready to engage with regional leaders and drive positive change? 

The Chevening Western Balkans Cyber Security Fellowship offers a unique opportunity for 12 exceptional candidates to develop the leadership skills necessary to tackle issues such as: 

• Understanding evolving cyber threats and their implications for national security and critical infrastructure

• Exploring domestic and international approaches to combat cybercrime and protect citizens’ privacy

• Balancing security with internet freedom, consumer protection, and accountability in cyberspace

Fellows will gain: 

• Advanced knowledge of cyber security policies and strategies 

• Practical skills in cyber threat assessment, risk management, and legal frameworks 

• Access to a network of cyber security experts and policymakers 

Eligibility

In addition to meeting our standard eligibility criteria, you must:  

• Be a citizen and currently live in one of the following countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, or Serbia 

• Have a postgraduate level qualification (or equivalent professional training or experience in a relevant area) at the time of application 

• Have at least five years’ relevant work experience prior to applying 

• Have significant work experience in cyber security or cyber policy issues, either as a policy formulator, commentator, or academic 

Funding and benefits

Each fellowship includes: 

• Full programme fees 

• Living expenses for the duration of the fellowship 

• Return economy airfare

Hear from our fellows

You should apply for a Chevening Cyber Security Fellowship because it provides participants with much broader insights into all aspects of cyber security; professional, technical, but also social and legislative. But the most important thing is that it enables you to connect with your peers around the world and I think this will help our network to be much wider.

Mirza Niksic
Chevening Western Balkans Cyber Security Fellow