Please note this is an old post and applications are now closed. Applications for the 2025 cohort will open in March 2025.
The Great Britain-China Centre is delighted to announce that applications to join the fourth round of its Future Leaders Programme are now open!
You can apply to the 2024 programme here.
This one-year programme offers a unique opportunity to develop your China-related knowledge and skills as part of an exclusive group while networking with both colleagues and world-leading China experts.
The Future Leaders Programme
The Future Leaders Programme is GBCC’s flagship China capabilities initiative that aims to build China literacy among rising civil servants, MPs, and business representatives. It runs over the course of a year and involves a three-day residential course in Oxford (24-26 July), organised in cooperation with the Oxford University China Centre, as well as a two-day training event held in London (during parliamentary recess, provisionally 7-8 November). Regular one-off events and knowledge deep-dives on a variety of China-related topics round off the training experience. There is also the opportunity for selected FLP participants to attend a dialogue and exchange programme in Beijing – participants this year had the opportunity to engage with the Central Party School and government departments, as well as Chinese think tanks, academic institutions and businesses.
Following completion of this one-year programme, you will gain access to a growing alumni network and continue to receive exclusive event invitations to continue your China-related learning and networking journey.
Overall, participants can expect to develop a sophisticated and balanced understanding of China’s rise, the country’s evolving priorities and what these mean for the UK and policymaking here, positioning them to become competent and leading decision-makers in their work on or with China.
For more detailed information, please refer to the programme brochure.
Eligibility
We welcome applicants from the following groups:
- Members of Parliament, special advisors and researchers
- Civil servants from across Whitehall and devolved administrations
- Representatives from UK-based businesses
- Representatives from think tanks and civil society
In-country experience in China or Chinese language skills are not an application requirement. The Future Leaders Programme expressly welcomes candidates of all genders, ethnicities, sexual orientations, abilities, religions and beliefs to apply.
Application Process
Please click here to complete the Future Leaders application form. The deadline for submitting applications is Friday, 10 May. We aim to inform you of the outcome of your application on Monday, 29 May.
Timeline
This year’s programme will kick off with an invitation to GBCC’s 50th anniversary celebration in London on Wednesday 10th July, which will give you an opportunity to meet fellow participants from both the first and the second Future Leaders cohort.
Contact
For any questions relating to the Future Leaders Programme or the application process, please email flp.recruitment@gbcc.org.uk.
GBCC looks forward to receiving your application!