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About the Programme

The Next Gen Programme supports early career researchers in peace and conflict studies by fostering academic and professional growth, networking, and knowledge exchange within the European peace research community. It is important to note that the programme does not fund research activities as such (no salary), but provides reimbursement for travel and accommodation expenses needed to participate in the programme. 

The programme centres around 3 main activities:

• Two in-person workshops (Kick-off and Closing), providing training on peace research theories and methodologies as well as networking opportunities. Accommodation and travel expenses are covered by PEACE Action.
  • The first workshop will be hosted by the CEES Hub at Tallinn University on 25 – 26 February 2027.
  • The second workshop will be hosted by the Peace Research Centre Prague at Charles University on 20 – 21 September 2027.
• Individual mentorship from a senior researcher of the PEACE network. The matching with a mentor will happen through the PEACE Network. If applicants have a suggestion they are welcome to mention their suggested mentor(s) via the application form.
• A Short-Term Scientific Mission (STSM) of up to 2 weeks at a host institution taking place between January – September 2027. Participants will benefit from an STSM grant of up to 1500 euro finance their stay. For more information about grants, go to the grant page on our website.

There is no need to be a member of the PEACE Action but it is expected of selected participants to become a member upon participation in the programme and to actively engage with the working groups and other activities of the Action. It is therefore important that the applicant’s research interests align with the following PEACE Action topics:

• Peace & Climate
• Feminist Peace
• Local Peace
• Peace & Emerging Technologies
• Europe, Peace & Security

For more information on the work of the different working groups, we invite applicants to have a look at our website under the RESEARCH tab.

In addition, one position will also be reserved for a CEEShub fellow. This position is reserved for scholars who take a critical-relational approach to security. Applicants may focus specifically on the Central and Eastern European (CEE) region, or more broadly on how security can be conceptualised from a critical-relational perspective. Applicants should consult the CEEShub website to ensure that their application aligns with the hub’s research agenda, and in particular with the theme of the CEEShub inaugural conference, "Between Peripheries".

We welcome applications from:

• PhD students and early career researchers working on topics relevant to peace research. Applicants need to have finished their Master’s degree by the time they apply to the programme. A PhD degree is not required.
• Applicants affiliated with COST Inclusiveness Target Countries (ITCs) are especially encouraged to apply.

Eligibility Criteria

The following criteria are defining for your eligibility to participate in the programme and receive financial reimbursements through the COST Association:

1. Institutional affiliation
   To be eligible for the Next Gen programme, the applicant needs to have an institutional affiliation to a COST full, cooperating or partner member state, a European RTD Organisation, or a Near Neighbour Country in order for them to receive financial support from PEACE Action. If the applicant doesn’t have any institutional affiliation to any of these categories, they are not eligible for participation in the NextGen programme.
   
   For more information on the different categories, please have a look at the list of participating countries and organisations. 

    

2. Young Researcher and Innovator 
   To be eligible the candidate needs to be aged 39 years or younger to fulfil the YRI criteria as set by COST association (birth year 1987 or later at the time of application).

How to Apply?

Please fill out the registration form and submit it together with the necessary documents via e-mail to the YRI Coordinator at merel.selleslach(at)vlaamsparlement.be by 31 October 2026 (23.59 CET):

1. Download and fill out the application form.
2. Add the following documents to your application:
   • CV (max. 2 pages, PDF format) highlighting a research background
   • A proof of main affiliation (PDF format). Examples that could be used as proof of affiliation are: certificate of enrolment, employment contract, confirmation letter of a supervisor, staff badge, … .

Selection and Evaluation

The Selection Committee consists of the PEACE Action Chair, Vice-Chair, and YRI Outreach Coordinator. They will be supported by the relevant WG leadership when evaluating applications. 

Applications will be evaluated by the Selection Committee based on:

• Research quality and relevance to PEACE Action’s goals and Working Groups
• Motivation and potential for societal impact
• Contribution to COST Excellence and Inclusiveness policy

Seven participants will be selected for the 2027 cohort, one of which is reserved for an applicant specifically for the CEEShub fellow position.

• Applicants should be Young Researchers and Innovators (YRIs), defined as researchers aged 39 or younger.
• Applicants need to be affiliated at a COST full, cooperating or partner member state, a European RTD Organisation, or a Near Neighbouring Country. For more information, check out the list of participating member states on the COST website.
• Applicants should be prospective Master’s students, Master’s students, prospective doctoral researchers or doctoral researchers at the start of their doctoral programme (first two years).
• Applicants affiliated with COST Inclusiveness Target Countries (ITCs) are especially encouraged to apply.

The COST Peace 2026 Summer School is organised along five full days, Monday to Friday – from June 15 to 19, 2026. The Programme include theoretical and methodological sessions, thematic

clusters focused around the five themes addressed by the different working groups, dialogues with key stakeholders, such as activists, artists and community leaders, and the opportunity to discuss and reflect as a group on some of the most pressing issues regarding current peace dynamics.

Some of the guests already confirmed include:

Selection and Evaluation

Applications will be evaluated by the Selection Committee based on:

• Research topic relevance to PEACE Action’s goals and Working Groups
• Motivation and potential for societal impact
• Contribution to COST Excellence and Inclusiveness policy

The Selection Committee consists of the two COST PEACE 2026 Summer School Organisers and the YRI Outreach Coordinator.  

Applicants from institutions located outside of Portugal: 21 participants will be selected for the 2026 Summer School edition. COST PEACE will reimburse for the most economic travel within Europe up to 500 euro per person and will also provide a daily allowance (six days) for accommodation and catering expenses. 

Applicants from institutions in Portugal: 9 participants will be selected for the 2026 Summer School Edition. COST PEACE local organisers will reimburse travel and accommodation expenses up to 200 euro to selected participants residing outside the district of Coimbra.