Overview

The Young Leaders in National Security Fellowship 2026, hosted by the Counter Extremism Group (CEG), is a prestigious and highly competitive programme designed for ambitious individuals eager to build a career in counter-terrorism, national security, and counter-extremism in the United Kingdom.

Eligibility

Students and recent graduates
Early-career professionals
Individuals passionate about national security and counter-extremism
Applicants from diverse academic and professional backgrounds

Benefits

Fully funded participation (no course fee)
Travel support within the UK
Six nights of accommodation in London
Daily stipend (per diem)
Direct engagement with leading experts and decision-makers
Exclusive seminars at key UK institutions such as Parliament and government offices

How to Apply

Applicants must submit the following documents via email:

A current CV
A cover letter addressing:

Motivation for applying
Influential article, book, or thinker (200 words max)
Analysis of the biggest extremist threat facing Britain (300 words max)

A signed declaration confirming compliance with CEG’s Generative AI policy

Important: Applications must be original and not generated using AI tools.

Deadline

June 5th, 2026 (5:00 PM)

Fellowship Dates & Location

Location: Central London, United Kingdom
Programme Dates: September 7th – 11th, 2026
Interviews: Conducted online in the last two weeks of June 2026

Distinguished Speakers & Experts

Fellows will interact with high-profile experts including former intelligence leaders, senior policymakers, counter-terrorism specialists, and journalists.