Chatham House — the Royal Institute of International Affairs, one of the world's leading policy institutes — hosts early- to mid-career professionals for a ten-month, full-time fellowship in London built around an individual research project of the fellow's choosing. Fellows spend roughly 60% of their time on their own research, 20% contributing to Chatham House's core research, and 20% in a Leadership Masterclass Programme. The Richard and Susan Hayden track is the one Academy Fellowship with no nationality restriction — it is open to citizens of any country.
Why it is notable: a fully funded London policy fellowship open to ALL nationalities (the sibling tracks are restricted: Mo Ibrahim to African citizens, New Generation Europe to Russian citizens, Stavros Niarchos to Greek citizens) — the Hayden track is the global one, and it is rarely covered in scholarship listings.
Funding at a glance
What it covers
Monthly stipend of £2,365 covering London living costs — accommodation, utilities, food, transport, and other basic expenses (reported figure; confirm when the call opens).
Relocation costs: flights/train/other transportation to and from the UK, temporary accommodation, visa costs, extra baggage.
UK Immigration Health Surcharge (access to the NHS; dental/optical/prescriptions may be out of pocket).
Leadership Masterclass Programme, access to Chatham House's global network, and the opportunity to host research roundtables.
Eligibility criteria
Qualification Required
Bachelor's degreefor Fellowship
This fellowship is offered for early- to mid-career professionals pursuing an individual international-affairs research project — not a degree program.
Who can apply
Citizens of any country (official: "Open to candidates from around the world"). Note the other Academy tracks ARE nationality-restricted — this dossier covers only the Hayden track.
Experience
Research experience required — applicants must hold a completed BA or equivalent and have experience conducting research; ideal candidates are at the early-to-mid stage of their career in academia, NGOs, business, government departments, civil society, or the media, with knowledge of and interest in international affairs.
Language Certificate
No language certificate required — but applicants must demonstrate proficiency in spoken English.
Other Certificates
CV/résumé required; no degree certificates specified.
Age Limit
No Age Limit
Check your eligibility
Run all three quick checks before reviewing your chosen course's full entry requirements.
1
Country checker
All nationalities eligible for the Hayden track (official). Do not confuse with the Mo Ibrahim (African citizens), New Generation Europe (Russian citizens), or…
2
Last degree checker
Choose your highest completed qualification to see which degree level may fit.
3
Course checker
Pick a course to see whether it falls inside this scholarship's scope.
Complete all three checks
Your combined result will appear here.
Based on published eligibility — always confirm on the official page before applying.
Application essentials
Requirements
Review each requirement before you begin the application.
01
Qualification
completed BA degree or equivalent + experience conducting research.
02
Career stage
early- to mid-career professionals in academia, NGOs, business, government, civil society, or media, with knowledge of international affairs.
03
Language
demonstrated proficiency in spoken English (no certificate specified).
04
Documents
CV, two referees, research proposal with the components above, personal statement, leadership-programme response.
05
Commitment
full-time, in-person in London for ten months; cannot be combined with other work or study.
06
Selection
independent-research experience, relevant background, proven leadership experience or potential, commitment to Chatham House's mission and evidence-based solutions, motivation, and ability to show positive impact.
Document checklist
01Online application form.
02CV/résumé.
03Names of two referees.
04Research proposal (project title, research questions, methodology ~200 words, ten-month timeline ~250 words, expected outcomes ~150 words, mission-alignment statement ~250 words — word counts per prio
05Personal statement.
06Leadership Masterclass Programme response.
Application fee
No fee — completely free.
Visa, kept concise: Visa type: The fellowship is a work-like full-time placement, not degree study — the appropriate route is typically a UK work/temporary-work visa sponsored or documented via Chatham House (the Academy covers visa costs per the benefits…
Application Procedure
10 steps — follow in order. Each stage prepares the next.
01
When the 2027–28 call opens (watch the
official Academy fellowships page), choose the Richard and Susan Hayden track.
→
02
Select one of Chatham House's research programmes
and design an original research proposal: project title, research questions, methodology, ten-month timeline, expected outcomes, and a statement of alignment with Chatham House's mission.
→
03
Prepare a CV and the names of
two referees.
↓
06
Shortlisting → interviews (Zoom with senior management
in prior cycles) → offers.
←
05
Submit the full online application before the
deadline (prior cycle: 5pm BST, April 7, 2026 — expect a similar April 2027 date; UNVERIFIED).
←
04
Write the personal statement and the response
on the Leadership Masterclass Programme.
↓
07
Online application form.
→
08
CV/résumé.
→
09
Names of two referees.
↓
10
Research proposal (project title
research questions, methodology ~200 words, ten-month timeline ~250 words, expected outcomes ~150 words, mission-alignment statement ~250 words — word counts per prior-cycle reporting; confirm when the call opens).
Is the Hayden fellowship open to all nationalities? A: Yes — the official page states it is open to candidates from around the world (unlike the sibling tracks, which are nationality-restricted).How long is the fellowship? A: Ten months (the prior cycle ran October 2026–July 2027).What do fellows actually do? A: Fellows work on an individual research project of their choosing, take part in the core work of the Institute, develop skills through the leadership programme, and builIs there an age limit? A: No age restriction.Can I keep my job or studies during the fellowship? A: No — it is a full-time commitment that cannot be combined with other work or studies.Is it in person? A: Fellows are based at Chatham House in London, with hybrid working possible.Are applications open now? A: No — applications for the 2026–2027 fellowships are now closed (official page); the 2027–28 call has not been published yet.Do I need a master's or PhD? A: The published requirement is a completed BA or equivalent plus research experience.
Need document or attestation help?
Detailed attestation guidance stays in Opplore's standalone Guides section, not inside this scholarship page.
United Kingdom · Chatham House