Virtual Routes runs this one-year fellowship for young professionals seeking to develop their work in European cybersecurity policy. Up to 14 fellows were selected for the 2026–2027 cohort, which began on 1 April 2026.
Fellows join online sessions and in-person workshops, examine contemporary cybersecurity issues, and build skills in debate, analysis and policy writing. The program also connects participants with specialists, policymakers, professional networks and the Virtual Routes alumni community.
Benefits & funding
- Regular online sessions and in-person workshops with cybersecurity specialists.
- An annual field trip; the published program materials identify Brussels as the destination.
- Support in policy writing, including development of publishable opinion essays.
- Travel and development grants for cybersecurity conferences and training events; no amount is published.
- Networking opportunities, linked events and continued access to the alumni network.
- No application fee.
Eligibility
- Must reside in a European country; the official materials do not define a country list.
- Must be under 35 at the time of application.
- Must be highly proficient in English.
- Must show a strong interest in cybersecurity, European policy and the role of technology in democracy.
- Must demonstrate strong academic or professional achievement or potential.
- Must be willing to travel and work with a multinational group.
- No nationality, degree or prior-experience threshold is stated.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Residence required
Albania · Andorra · Armenia · Austria · Azerbaijan · Belarus · Belgium · Bosnia and Herzegovina · Bulgaria · Croatia · Cyprus · Czechia
+ 38 more
Denmark · Estonia · Finland · France · Georgia · Germany · Greece · Hungary · Iceland · Ireland · Italy · Kosovo · Latvia · Liechtenstein · Lithuania · Luxembourg · Malta · Moldova · Monaco · Montenegro · Netherlands · North Macedonia · Norway · Poland · Portugal · Romania · Russia · San Marino · Serbia · Slovakia · Slovenia · Spain · Sweden · Switzerland · Türkiye · Ukraine · UK · Vatican City
Age requirement
≤ 34 yrs
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Application process
- 1Prepare a CV of no more than two pages.
- 2Write an original cybersecurity essay of no more than 1,200 words, suitable for publication on Binding Hook, using hyperlinks rather than footnotes.
- 3Submit both documents through the application route published by Virtual Routes before the cycle deadline.
- 4If selected, work with the Binding Hook editorial team to refine the essay for publication.
Program timeline
The 2026–2027 application call was announced.
Dec 8, 2025
Applications closed.
Feb 8, 2026, 23:59 CET
The one-year fellowship began.
Apr 1, 2026