Deadline 2026-04-07
Country United Kingdom
Level fellowship
Organization Chatham House (Royal Institute of International Affairs)
Field International Affairs, Policy Studies, Research
Funding fully funded Overview
The Richard & Susan Hayden Fellowship 2026 is a fully funded, 10-month international fellowship based at Chatham House, London, UK. It is designed for early to mid-career professionals from various sectors (academia, NGOs, business, government, civil society, media) to conduct independent research on a topic of their choice, contribute to Chatham House's ongoing work, and participate in a comprehensive leadership development program. The program runs from October 2026 to July 2027.
Coverage
This is a fully funded fellowship. Fellows receive a monthly stipend of £2,365, which is intended to cover living costs in London, including accommodation, utilities, food, and transport. The Academy also covers reasonable relocation costs such as flights, train travel to and from the UK, three nights of initial accommodation, visa expenses, and extra luggage. Additionally, the UK’s Immigration Healthcare Surcharge is paid, granting access to the UK National Health Service (though dental, optical, and prescribed medicines may incur costs). Research, outreach, and dissemination costs, including fieldwork, travel, conferences, publication, roundtables, and events, are also covered.
Eligibility
This fellowship is open to applicants of all nationalities. Candidates must hold a completed Bachelor's (BA) degree or an equivalent qualification and possess prior experience in conducting research. The program targets early to mid-career professionals with backgrounds in academia, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), government departments, civil society, media, or business. A strong interest in international affairs is essential. There is no age restriction for applicants.
Requirements
Applicants are required to have a completed BA degree or equivalent and demonstrated experience in research. They should be early to mid-career professionals from specified sectors (academia, NGO, government, media, business) with a strong interest in international affairs.
How to apply
Applications must be submitted online through the official Chatham House careers website. The process typically involves completing an application form and submitting required documents by the stated deadline.
Notes
The fellowship is a full-time program lasting 10 months, from October 2026 to July 2027. It combines personal research (60%), research collaboration (20%), and participation in a leadership masterclass program (20%). The leadership program includes an induction week, thematic sessions, workshops on policy impact, stakeholder mapping, crisis management, negotiation skills, leadership briefings, project presentations, personal development coaching, and media training. Optional career mentoring is also available.