Leadership Masterclass Programme at Chatham House in London

Applications are now open for the Leadership Masterclass Programme, a nine-month part-time leadership development programme at Chatham House in London. This programme is fully funded for early-to-mid-career professionals and is designed to build skills in independent thinking on global policy issues, develop leadership expertise, and expand professional networks with like-minded experts.

It is available in two streams: the Blue Whale Growth Fund Leadership Masterclass (restricted to UK-registered charities with minimum annual expenditure of £5 million over each of the past three years) has now closed, while self- or employer-funded spaces remain open and available. There is no application fee for either stream.

Applicants must be based in London, hold a completed BA degree or equivalent, and work (or aspire to work) in fields requiring strong understanding of public policy and international influence. The programme runs from early October 2026 to June 2027 with weekly in-person sessions on Thursdays at Chatham House. You can check out BS, MS, PhD and postdoc positions here

Key Details:

• Degree Level: Bachelor’s degree
• Host Country: United Kingdom (London)
• Application Deadline: Rolling basis
• Open for All Nationalities: Yes
• Fully Funded or Partial Funded: Fully funded

Who Can Apply:

• Hold a completed BA degree or equivalent qualification
• Be based in London and able to attend in-person sessions every Thursday
• Work in one of these fields:
  • academia
  • NGO
  • business
  • government departments
  • civil society
  • media
• Be in the early-to-mid-stage of their career
• Be able to explain how the programme will help them create positive impact aligned with Chatham House’s purpose
• Have proficiency in written and spoken English

Programme Structure:

The programme includes the following core elements:

• Induction day
  • An intensive introduction to the programme and Chatham House
• Discussion seminars
  • Regular meetings with subject-matter experts to explore current international affairs challenges; participants chair sessions and learn from each other’s experiences
• Leadership workshops
  • Multiple half-day sessions focused on specific skills such as leading in a new role and fostering innovation and entrepreneurship
• Personal development coaching
  • One-to-one sessions with a dedicated coach to set and achieve personal goals
• Media training
  • Practical training on television and radio interviews, ending with a mock interview and expert feedback
• Leadership briefings
  • Informal discussions with established leaders from government, business, media, and the non-profit sectors
• Career mentoring
  • Guidance to support long-term career growth

Programme Benefits:

• Weekly in-person training sessions at Chatham House
• Individual membership at Chatham House for the duration of the programme plus two years afterwards
• Access to a personal career coach

Application Streams:

Blue Whale Growth Fund Leadership Masterclass

• Supported by the Blue Whale Growth Fund and restricted to applicants working for UK-registered charities with a minimum annual expenditure of £5 million over each of the past three years.
• This application stream has now closed for the 2026–2027 cohort.

Self/Employer-Funded Spaces

• If you do not qualify for the funded stream, self-funded or employer-sponsored places are still available.

How to Apply:

• Step 1: Contact Chatham House
  • Email: [email protected]

• Step 2: Request Application Information
  • When you contact them, request:
    • Application guidelines and forms
    • Information about programme costs and funding options
    • Details on deadlines and timelines for your specific interest

• Step 3: Submit Your Application
  • Prepare information about your professional experience, leadership background, career goals, and how the programme aligns with your ambitions.