Academy of Young Diplomats 2026 - European Academy of Diplomacy

The Academy of Young Diplomats (AYD) is a top-tier postgraduate diplomatic Program, which empowers a new generation of global leaders, through an innovative year-long training experience, ending with an Executive Diploma in the Art of Diplomacy (EDAD).

Participant Profile

The Academy of Young Diplomats is offered only to a selected cohort of approximately 120 promising talents from around the world. Through a highly competitive recruitment process, we admit graduate students and young professionals of the very highest academic caliber and with a proven track-record.

Admission Requirements 

• Fit in the AYD Participant Profile.
• 18 years or older.
• BA University Degree/Relevant Diploma courses/Relevant work experience 
• English proficiency, at least C1 level (assessed on a case-by-case basis depending on the interview, we encourage candidates who do not meet this language requirement to still submit their application.).

Student Profile

In order to recruit the best participants, the EAD leadership, in consultation with the EAD Council of Ambassadors, senior lecturers and Alumni Club, has developed a student profile of the ideal EAD candidate. This profile is based on the values of the European Academy of Diplomacy and includes:

• Global openness: AYD students are aware of the common challenges facing the global community and meet these challenges with engagement. They are proactive in seeking opportunities to gain experience in an international environment (through internships, volunteering and student exchange). They do not discriminate against other human beings based on religion, ethnicity, race, sex or country of origin.
• Social involvement: AYD students dynamically contribute to their communities and their societies. They operate locally, regionally, nationally or globally to improve the well-being of people around them. Prospective candidates of the Academy of Young Diplomats are members of voluntary organizations, grass-root initiatives.
• Professional development: AYD students strive for continuous personal and professional development. Both at university or at work, they are courageous in undertaking new projects and task, which move them out of their comfort zone. They understand their strengths and weaknesses and show willingness to develop both intellectual capacity and emotional intelligence (empathy, self-awareness, self-regulation and social skills).

Graduation Requirements

In order to obtain the Executive Diploma in the Art of Diplomacy (EDAD), AYD Participant must meet the following requirements:

• Attend at least 5 out of 7 Sessions
• Pass the Final Exam
• Submit a Policy Paper – The final requirement to obtain the Executive Diploma will be the submission of a policy paper of between 1,000 and 2,000 words. For this requirement, Participant must provide a more in-depth analysis and argumentation on a given theme related to foreign and security policy or multilateral diplomacy.

Cost

• 10 900 PLN or 2523 EUR

Program Tuition Fee includes

• 4 Sessions in Warsaw
• 4 Online Sessions
• All course materials
• Inauguration and Graduation Ceremony with VIP Guests
• 140 hours of hands-on diplomatic training
• International institutions and embassy Study Visits
• Leadership Development Program
• Coffee breaks during all live sessions
• Warsaw Security Forum
• Executive Diploma in the Art of Diplomacy

Program does not cover

• Accommodation
• Visa, insurance & travel expenses