Indo-European Summer Academy IESA 2026

Event Date : 6-13 July 2026

FORMAT

4 Weeks · 3 Online + 1 Residential

IN-PERSON

Chanakya University, Bengaluru

APPLICATIONS OPEN

28 April 2026

FEES

Fully Sponsored

A Joint Initiative of CESS / Chanakya University & Hanns Seidel Foundation India · IERF

Built on a shared conviction

The Indo-European Summer Academy began as a joint initiative of the Centre for Educational and Social Studies (CESS), Chanakya University, and Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) India, brought together by a shared belief that the next generation of policy thinkers must be equipped t with the networks and analytical depth to navigate a world of accelerating complexity.

The Academy, this year is themed to engage with the forces shaping our digital age: cybersecurity, digital governance, geopolitics, and the evolving architecture of Indo-European cooperation. To know about previous theme(s) of the academy, click here.

“This is more than a learning experience. It is your platform to engage with the future and to help define it.”

The Indo-European Summer Academy on Non-Traditional Security 2025 : Focus on Energy Security

Who are IESA Fellows?

IESA Fellows are young leaders and professionals who stand at the intersection of disciplines, capable of contributing as much as they absorb, and committed to translating curiosity into consequence.

Interdisciplinary Scholars

You think across boundaries: policy, technology, law, geopolitics, social science. You are not confined to a single discipline, and that is precisely your strength in complex, cross-cutting fields.

Active Contributors

You don’t just attend, you add. You bring perspectives, challenge assumptions, and enrich the cohort experience. The room is smarter when everyone contributes, not just listens.

Industry-Aligned Expertise

You have a fervour for policy analysis that connects to the real world. Whether from academia, government, or the private sector, you are driven to close the gap between policy and practice.

Four weeks, one journey

IESA 2026 follows a distinctive 3+1 architecture: three weeks of structured online engagement designed around working professionals, followed by a fully sponsored one-week residential immersion at Chanakya University.

Weeks 1–3 · Online Foundation, writeup & Virtual Dialogue

The groundwork for serious intellectual contribution begins in Week 1. Fellows participate in curated online sessions, induction and orientation, and receive early feedback on their working paper development. Sessions are designed primarily for evenings and weekends (roughly two hour per week) so that working professionals can remain fully engaged with their own commitments while building into the Academy community.

Weeks 1–3 include: induction and orientation, thematic reading sessions led by domain experts, guided working paper development with iterative feedback, and select virtual sessions with practitioners and scholars from India and Europe.

Week 4 · Fully Residential In-Person Immersion (Fully Sponsored)

The culminating week is a fully sponsored, fully residential experience at Chanakya University’s campus, situated near Bengaluru International Airport and close to the Nandi Hills. All costs for the physical immersion are covered (travel, accommodation, meals, and learning materials) by the Academy.

The final week features intensive expert-led sessions, policy simulations, working paper presentations to a panel, peer critique, institutional networking, and the joint certificate ceremony.

Sessions Led By

Leading academics and scholars
Industry and cybersecurity domain experts
Serving and former diplomats
Public policy and digital governance practitioners
Strategic affairs thinkers from India and Europe

What the Academy offers you

Interdisciplinary Depth
Engage cybersecurity at the intersection of policy, geopolitics, law, and technology through a unique Indo-European lens that very few programmes offer.
Expert-Led Sessions
Move beyond textbooks. Engage directly with senior practitioners, diplomats, academics, and technologists actively shaping policy and practice.
A High-Quality Peer Cohort
The Academy selects a small, carefully curated cohort. Your peers are part of the learning, the network, and the experience.
Published Working Paper
Every Fellow authors a working paper curated and circulated internationally, a tangible, career-relevant output from your time at the Academy.
Joint Certification
Receive a certificate jointly conferred by CESS, Chanakya University, and Hanns Seidel Foundation India, a strong credential for academic and professional advancement.
Fully Sponsored Residential Week
The final in-person week is fully covered: travel, accommodation, meals, and all materials. You focus entirely on learning and building connections.

Who should apply?

The Academy welcomes applications from intellectually engaged young professionals, researchers, and scholars who meet the following criteria.

Nationality	Indian nationals residing in India
Education	Completed undergraduate degree (minimum); postgraduate, PhD scholars and professionals are welcome
Age	Under 30 years of age as on 1 July 2026
Language	Demonstrated fluency in English — written and spoken
Interest Area	Cybersecurity, digital policy, geopolitics, international affairs, or related interdisciplinary fields
Commitment	Ability to participate fully in online weekend sessions (Weeks 1–3) and the 7-day residential week (Week 4)

The selection process

We keep the process intentional rather than onerous. We want to understand who you are and what drives you, not just your credentials.

Application Requirements

Application Form: A concise, brief online form asking for key personal, academic, and professional details.
Curriculum Vitae: A clean, professional or academic CV (maximum 2 pages) highlighting academic background, work experience, and relevant interests.
Statement of Purpose: A highly personalised SoP (maximum 250 words), not a generic motivation letter. Connect the dots: how does this year’s theme connect to your professional journey, and how do you envision building the peer experience alongside your cohort?

Essential Information for Applicants

Important timelines

28 April 2026	Applications Open
15 May 2026	Application Deadline
From 7 June 2026	Shortlisted candidates begin hearing from us. Interview confirmations and offer letters sent on a rolling basis.
Until 15 June 2026	Interview and offer process continues. Final selections confirmed.
~15 June 2026	Selected Fellows receive the full programme schedule and onboarding information.

PLEASE NOTE: If you do not receive an interview confirmation by 14 June 2026, please consider your candidature not accepted for the current cycle. We regret we may not be able to respond individually to all applications.

Everything covered

The residential week at Chanakya University is fully sponsored. Fellows need only bring their curiosity and commitment.

Return Airfare	Economy class domestic air tickets from your city of residence to Bengaluru, or 3rd AC train fare where applicable.
Airport Transfers	Transport to and from Bengaluru airport or railway station to the Chanakya University campus.
Accommodation	Twin-sharing residential accommodation at Chanakya University campus throughout the residential period.
All Meals	Breakfast, lunch, and dinner provided throughout the residential week.
Learning Materials	All programme readings, resources, and materials are provided at no cost to Fellows.
Campus & Location	Chanakya University — near Bengaluru International Airport, close to the Nandi Hills. A world-class campus built for emerging leaders.

Note: Participants are responsible for any personal incidental expenses beyond the programme’s provisions. All health, disciplinary, and safety protocols of Chanakya University apply throughout the residential period.

The institutions behind IESA

Centre for Educational and Social Studies (CESS)

The Centre for Educational and Social Studies (CESS) is an institution recognized by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), Ministry of Education, Government of India, New Delhi. It is dedicated to advancing “social transformation through and with education” by engaging in rigorous research, policy advocacy, and capacity-building initiatives. With a strong focus on education and India Studies, CESS works at the intersection of knowledge and practice, contributing meaningfully to informed policymaking and the broader discourse on national development.

Chanakya University

Established in 2022 through a State Legislature Act, Chanakya University is a premier institution committed to nurturing transformative leadership and advancing innovative academic paradigms. Conceived as a hub of excellence, the University integrates multidisciplinary learning with a strong emphasis on Indian knowledge systems and global perspectives. With a forward-looking vision, Chanakya University seeks to address contemporary developmental challenges through education, and institution-building, preparing future leaders equipped to contribute meaningfully to society and governance.

Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) India

The Hanns Seidel Foundation India (HSF) founded in 1967, is a German political foundation working in the service of ”Democracy, Peace and Development” as well as international cooperation. At present, the foundation is engaged in the implementation of over 80 projects across 50 countries worldwide.

In India, the foundation works in collaboration with local partners, providing support for capacity-building measures and national and international policy dialogues with the aim of effectively localising and achieving sustainable development goals. HSF India’s partnerships and projects are primarily focused on youth engagement, good governance, climate action, and security, including women-led development.

India–Europe Resilience Forum (IERF)

On 28 March 2025, Hanns Seidel Foundation India together with its partners, Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies (IPCS), Centre for Social Research (CSR), Centre for Educational & Social Studies (CESS)/Chanakya University (CU) launched the India-Europe Resilience Forum (IERF) in New Delhi.

Positioned as a 1.5-track dialogue forum, it brings together policymakers, think tanks, civil society including private sector representatives, and academia to enhance cooperation on critical issues such as geo-economics, supply chain resilience, energy security, cybersecurity, technology, and inclusive development. Given the increasing geopolitical uncertainties and resource dependencies shaping global affairs, the IERF comes at a crucial time and contributes to strengthening strategic ties by fostering dialogue, policy coordination, and collaborative solutions between India and Europe. While the IERF focuses on critical thematic areas within EU-India relations, it also extends its scope to encompass broader Europe-South Asia relations, reinforcing resilience and partnership beyond bilateral engagement.