Applicants with at least a bachelor’s degree interested in studying Leadership in International Affairs at the Queen Elizabeth II Academy can apply for the Richard and Susan Hayden Academy Fellowship of Chatham House. Chatham House, or the Royal Institute of International Affairs, is an independent policy institute in London.

This fellowship is a joint program with Richard and Susan Hayden, allowing applicants to apply for ten months of work on an individual research project. Additionally, the fellows will take part in the main work of the Institute to develop their skills through the leadership program. Also, participants will further their professional network in international affairs. The program is for early to mid-stage career international applicants.

The ideal candidate for the Susan Hayden Academy Fellowship of Chatham House should be at the early to mid-stage of their profession and come from any of the following fields or work:

• government
• research
• academia
• civil society
• journalism

Details of Academy Fellowship

Application Deadline: 17 April 2026 5:00 pm BST

Application Result: 4 weeks of the role closing

Duration of the Fellowship: 10 months betweenOctober 2026 and July 2027.

Fellowship Type: Full-time

Fellowship Mode: Hybrid (Office/Home), minimum two days in the office per week, plus expected attendance at leadership program sessions.

Location: Chatham House, London, United Kingdom

Key Areas

A fellow’s time is split between three key areas:

• Completing a personal research project: the fellow chooses and design an individual project to undertake with the guidance of a Chatham House expert (approximately 60%).
• Contributing to the ongoing research activities: working with their host research team and other Chatham House teams as appropriate, fellows contribute to existing research priorities in line with the Chatham House mission (approximately 20%).
• Leadership Masterclass Programme: it is a key part of all fellowships. It aims to develop fellows’ knowledge, network, self-awareness and to equip them with important skills on which they can draw in their future careers as leaders in their field (approximately 20%).

Leadership Masterclass Programme

All fellows participate in and contribute to the Leadership Programme which encompasses the following components:

• Intensive induction week
  Academy fellowships begin with an intensive five-day induction week to become familiarized with the elements of the fellowships, meet their host research programme and have their first personal development coaching session.
• Thematic sessions
  In these sessions, fellows meet and discuss current international affairs challenges with subject matter experts from Chatham House and beyond. The sessions cover the principal substantive and skills-based areas vital for informed and effective international leadership. Fellows usually chair these sessions and are expected to contribute to and learn from one another’s experience.
• Leadership skills workshops
  Fellows participate in half-day workshops focusing on specific aspects of leadership such as achieving policy impact, stakeholder mapping, crisis management and negotiation skills.
• Leadership Briefings 
  Fellows engage in discussions with a diverse group of global leaders from government, business, media, and the non-profit sector. In these informal sessions, leaders share their leadership visions and strategies, along with personal insights from their own leadership journeys. The sessions feature members of the Academy’s faculty among other speakers.
• Project presentations
  Fellows present updates on their research projects to help develop presentation skills, provide a forum for peer-review and to analyse issues outside their own area of expertise.
• Personal development coaching
  Fellows have access to one-on-one sessions with a dedicated coach as a way to grow their self-awareness. Fellows work with the coach to set personal development objectives which they work to meet during their fellowship and beyond.
• Media training
  Fellows learn effective interview skills needed for television and radio culminating in a mock interview from which they receive feedback on style and any areas of improvement.
• Career mentoring (optional)
  Fellows’ development is facilitated and supported by partnering them with mentors to enhance their career perspective and path.

Compensation and Benefits of Fellowship

Fellows will benefit from the following compensations and benefits:

• A monthly stipend of £2,365 covering London living costs, such as accommodation, utilities, food, transport, and other essential expenses.
• Costs related to visas, relocation, and payment of the UK’s Immigration Healthcare Surcharge
• Allowances for fieldwork and travel, research activities, and possible publication

Additional Benefits

Additionally, the fellows will have access to the following:

• Workshops, seminars, and events
• Media training
• Career Coaching
• Writing support
• Networking opportunities, including with Chatham House staff, the Academy’s faculty and alumni
• Chatham House membership upon completion of the fellowship

Note: Candidates may be required to pay for dental and optical treatments and prescribed medicines by a doctor.

Proposal Focus Areas

Eligibilities for the Susan Hayden Academy Fellowship

Applicants who adhere to the following requirements are eligible candidates for the Susan Hayden Academy Fellowship:

• There is no nationality restriction on applicants; applications are welcome from all countries.
• Possess at least a BA degree or equivalent; preference will go to those with a master’s degree with an international focus.
• Applicants may be at the early to mid-stage of their profession, university students, non-governmental organizations, government departments, civil society, or media.
• Have an interest in and knowledge of international affairs.
• Commit to working full-time fellowship attendance.
• No age limit is to apply for this fellowship.

Selection Criteria

How to Apply for the Susan Hayden Academy Fellowship?

To apply for this fellowship program, please fill out the online application form linked below:

Apply Now

For more information, visit the official link for the Richard and Susan Hayden Academy Fellowship.

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