2026 KOREA-EU-NATO Next Generation Policy Experts Network

The 2026 KOREA-EU-NATO NextGen Program is a unique experience for early career scholars and policy experts specializing in Korea and East Asia that provides participants with opportunities to engage in discussions with leading policy makers and scholars through a series of in-person and online activities focused on Korean and East Asian affairs and the role of the EU and NATO on the Korean Peninsula and the Indo-Pacific. Our project  aims to encourage participants to produce policy-oriented research on East Asia, particularly on the Korean peninsula, and make relevant connections between the European Union and Korea as well as NATO and Korea so as to build future collaborative activities among participants and ROK policy makers on the distinctive role that the EU and NATO can play in strengthening Korean security and in supporting the ROK’s foreign policy objectives.

The program is organized by the Asia Institute thanks to the generous support of the Korea Foundation and will be supported by an advisory committee of distinguished European and Korean advisers with experience in academia, government, and the media sector. Alongside a series of expert seminars, the program will offer dedicated training on how to produce an academic paper and a policy analysis with focus on the topics covered by the program.

All costs related to the participation in the program will be covered.

Program Goals:

• Creating and consolidating a European network of early career researchers and specialists who will provide relevant contributions for Korea-EU-NATO relations;
• Providing participants with opportunities to deepen their knowledge on Korea-related issues and on the potential of Korea-EU and Korea-NATO relations;
• Mentoring and supporting participants for the production of policy-oriented research focused on Korea and East Asian affairs;
• Encouraging future collaborative research teams and projects among participants.

Program Activities:

In-person:

• Kick-off meeting in Bologna on 18-19 June 2026. Introduction of participants and active engagement with leading scholars and experts through roundtables, presentations and discussions focusing on Korea, the Indo-Pacific region and Korea-EU-NATO relations. In addition, organization of practical activities related to media training and engagement, academic and policy-oriented research and writing;
• Group visit to Brussels (EU institutions and NATO headquarters) in early September 2026 with the opportunity to meet and interact with NATO and EU officials dealing with Korea and Asia;
• Final Conference in Bologna in early February 2027 with panel presentations of participants, experts and scholars involved in the project as well as ROK policy makers based in Europe.

All travel and accommodation costs will be covered.

Online:

• Three workshops: one on academic writing, one on policy-oriented writing and one with journalists and media experts on news reporting about Korea

Program Eligibility

• Graduate students, post-doc researchers, trainees, faculty in the early stages of their career, young professionals in business, politics and media;
• Professional interest in Korea and/or East Asian affairs;
• Residents of a member state of the EU and/or NATO (excluding US and Canada).