Queen Elizabeth II Academy

for Leadership in International Affairs

Frequently Asked Questions

Eligibility Criteria

Who can apply?

Nationality requirements:

 The Academy Asfari Fellowship is open to citizens from Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine and
Syria.
 The Academy Asia Senior Fellowship is open to citizens of Afghanistan, Australia, The
People’s Republic of China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Nepal, Pakistan and South Korea.
 The Academy Robert Bosch Fellowship is open to citizens of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus,
Georgia, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine.
 The Academy Turkey Senior Fellowship is open to Turkish citizens.
 The Academy Stavros Niarchos Foundation Fellowship is open to Greek citizens. Please
note this fellowship is not open to Greek-Cypriot citizens.

What are the other relevant requirements?

Applicants are expected to have:

 An original, relevant and clear research project proposal;

 Relevant background experience, demonstrated through the curriculum vitae;
 Strong record of achievements in their area of expertise, in delivering research;
 Sufficient English-language ability, as demonstrated through the writing sample;
 Good writing and presentation skills and a publishing record;
 Awareness of the international context of their research;
 A post fellowship plan which indicates how the candidate will return to their home country or
region and apply their skills and knowledge to the sector;
 A clear vision of their contribution to the fellowship programme.

Is it possible to apply for a fellowship if you have dual-citizenship?

Yes.

Is it possible to apply for the Academy Asfari Fellowship if I fulfil the nationality eligibility
requirements mentioned above, but currently live in another country such as the UK or
USA?
Yes, although priority will be given to applicants, who are currently engaged in, or working with, civil
society in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine or Syria and who would, therefore, stand to benefit most from
undertaking the fellowship.

Is it possible to apply for the Academy Asfari Fellowship if I am a refugee or displaced

citizen of Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine or Syria and living elsewhere in the Middle
East?
Yes.

www.chathamhouse.org
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Are there any age restrictions for applicants?

While we do not impose age restrictions for applicants, it is worth noting that Academy Fellowships are
aimed at individuals at the mid-stage of their career and have two-five years of relevant work experience.

Academy Senior Fellowships are aimed at individuals who are at a more advanced stage of their career
and have eight-15 years of relevant work experience or a PhD and three-10 years of relevant work
experience.

Can I undertake my PhD studies at the same time as undertaking a fellowship or use my
PhD topic as the research proposal?
No. Fellows are expected to work full-time towards their fellowship, and must propose a research project
that fits within the topics advertised for the fellowship.

What academic qualifications do I need for an Academy fellowship or Senior fellowship?

Academy fellowship candidates should, at a minimum, have completed a BA degree or equivalent,
although an MA degree with an international focus is preferred. Fellowship candidates will be in their
early- to mid-career, have between two to five years of relevant work experience, and have demonstrated
evidence of consistent achievement. Academy Senior Fellowship candidates will be in their mid-to-late
career and at a minimum have completed their MA or a PhD, with an international focus. In addition they
should have at least eight years’ postgraduate experience and a strong record of achievements.

Application Procedure

How can I apply?

Please download and complete the application form from the Chatham House website:
www.chathamhouse.org/academy/Fellowships. Email the application form, together with one short
published writing sample in English, of which you are the sole author (no more than 10 A4 pages). All files
must be submitted in English and sent in PDF format.

Do I need to send letters of reference?

No. Please provide the names, affiliations, work addresses, email addresses and telephone numbers of two
referees and indicate your relationship to them. If you are shortlisted, we will contact the referees directly.

May I submit parts of my application after the deadline?

No. It is the candidate's responsibility to ensure that all application materials, including the writing
sample, are submitted by the application deadline. Only complete applications will be considered.

May I include supplementary materials with my application?

No, please include only the requested items. Supplementary materials cannot be considered or returned.

What is the application fee?

There is no application fee.

Are further application documents expected (e.g. cover letter or certificates)?

No, the application is complete if it contains:
(1) an application form;
(2) a curriculum vitae;
(3) a research project proposal;
(4) a post-Fellowship plan;
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(5) one short writing sample; and

(6) the names of two referees.

Will there be a call for applications next year?

Yes, usually every year around the beginning of April and August a new call for applications is posted on
the Academy website: www.chathamhouse.org/academy
You can sign-up to receive updates from the Academy by visiting: www.chathamhouse.org/forms/e-
newsletter-subscriptions. You can also keep up-to-date with news from the Academy by following us on
Twitter: @QEII_Academy.
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Notification of Candidates

When will I be notified?

Candidates selected for interviews will be contacted by email within two to three weeks of the closing date.
All other applicants will be notified once the selection process is completed (approximately within one
month of the closing date).
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Selection Process

How are the fellows selected?

Applications will be assessed according to the following criteria:
 Nationality eligibility requirements;
 The relevance and clarity of the proposed research project, as demonstrated through the project
proposal;
 Relevant background experience, as demonstrated through the curriculum vitae,
 Demonstrating the necessary English-language ability;
 Motivation for undertaking the fellowship
 A post fellowship plan which indicates how the candidate will return to their home country or
region and apply their skills and knowledge to the sector.

Who will evaluate my application?

Applications will be evaluated by the Academy committee drawn from Chatham House senior
management along with a senior representative of the sponsor organisation.

Will I receive a copy of my evaluation?

All application materials and the selection committee's evaluations remain confidential. The committee
will not provide feedback on individual applications.

If a candidate’s application is unsuccessful, can he/she reapply for the next fellowship?
Yes. A candidate may reapply for future calls and re-applications will not be disadvantaged in the
selection process.
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Stipend and Research Support

When will I start?

The start dates for each intake are usually either mid-September or mid-February – the specific dates are
confirmed once successful candidates are chosen.

What is the duration of the fellowship?

The duration of the fellowship is six months for the Academy Senior Asfari Fellows, Academy Asia Senior
Fellows and Academy Turkey Senior Fellows; six or twelve months for Academy Stavros Niarchos
Foundation Fellows; nine months for the Academy Robert Bosch Fellows; and twelve months for the
Academy Asfari Fellows.

Will I receive assistance in setting up a UK Bank account?

The Academy will not be able to assist in opening a UK bank account. However, the Academy can provide
a bank with a supporting letter confirming your appointment as an Academy Fellow/Senior Fellow.

Will the Academy provide appropriate health insurance for the duration of the fellowship?
No, the Academy is not able to provide health insurance for fellows. However fellows who are successful
in their fellowship application will have to demonstrate to the Academy that they have adequate health
insurance provision, which should include cover for any potential repatriation costs.

Can I bring my family with me?

Yes. However, Chatham House cannot sponsor visas or provide health insurance for spouses and
dependants. We are also unable to provide any logistical support (medical insurance, information on
schools, nurseries) or provide financial support for dependants. Fellows will be responsible for arranging
visas and insurance for dependants.

Will I receive assistance in finding appropriate accommodation in London?

If required, the Academy will provide accommodation in a hotel on arrival (up to 10 days). During this
time it is expected that fellows will organize viewings and arrange appropriate accommodation.
Candidates should plan to move into their accommodation prior to starting the fellowship.

Will I receive financial assistance to cover the expense of traveling to London?

The Academy will pay for the most economical means of transportation for one roundtrip for the Fellow
from and to his or her home country.

What stipend can I expect?

During their time at Chatham House, fellows and senior fellows will receive a monthly stipend to cover
basic living expenses. This will be paid into a UK bank account that the fellow will open on arrival. In
addition, the Academy will provide one return trip to the UK from the fellow’s country of residence,
accommodation in a hotel on arrival (if required), and provide a small budget for fieldwork and research-
related travel during the Fellowship. The Robert Bosch fellowship will fund the candidates travel to the
UK for a face to face interview whilst all other fellowship interviews are conducted via Skype.

What kind of administrative support will I receive?

While secretarial assistance is not provided, fellows will be supported by a research department
coordinator in basic administrative or logistical tasks, such as travel arrangements for external meetings
or organizing workshops at Chatham House. Fellows will be given a dedicated desk and computer access.

Can I stay for a shorter period if my employer will not grant me leave for the full term of
the fellowship?
No. Candidates must be based at Chatham House in London for the full duration of the fellowship.