Young Talents Cybersecurity 2025

Context

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France and the Netherlands have a longstanding tradition of collaboration in various sectors, with cybersecurity emerging as a pivotal area of mutual interest. Both nations recognize the escalating threats in the digital realm and the imperative to fortify their defenses through shared expertise and resources. As cyber risks evolve, so does the urgent need to develop a new generation of experts capable of addressing these complex challenges.

In April 2023, France and the Netherlands jointly issued a declaration reaffirming their commitment to strengthening bilateral and multilateral defense cooperation in line with their national security and technological innovation strategies. This initiative, which aims to intensify cybersecurity measures, promote innovation, and bolster resilience in the face of emerging threats, is notably embedded within several strategic doctrines:

This joint declaration illustrates a convergence of national policies, demonstrating the shared determination of both countries to equip themselves with robust tools to tackle security challenges in an ever-changing world.

The Netherlands hosts Europe’s largest security cluster, The Hague Security Delta (HSD), which stands as a prime example of an effective public-private partnership. This cluster unites over 400 organizations—ranging from companies and government bodies to research institutions—creating a dynamic ecosystem that drives innovation and facilitates collaboration with French counterparts to tackle pressing cybersecurity challenges.

In parallel, France reinforces its commitment to cybersecurity through initiatives such as the Campus Cyber, a prominent hub that brings together diverse stakeholders from the cybersecurity field. This totemic venue not only symbolizes France’s proactive approach to cyber defense but also serves as a critical meeting point for public and private sectors to share expertise and forge strong partnerships.

Both France and the Netherlands adhere to and implement key European Union cybersecurity policies, including the NIS2 Directive, the Cyber Resilience Act, and the broader EU Cybersecurity Strategy. By aligning with these frameworks, the two nations contribute to strengthening cybersecurity across the EU, working collaboratively with other Member States to enhance collective cyber resilience and achieve a higher level of European-wide cyber maturity, ensuring that our society and economy remain safe and secure.

However, as cyber threats increase in sophistication and scale, there is a growing recognition that technology alone is not enough—developing a skilled and engaged cybersecurity workforce is essential. The Young Talents Programme 2025 is designed as a springboard to support this effort by encouraging collaboration, fostering interest, and providing opportunities for the next generation of cybersecurity experts. By uniting talented students and young researchers from France and the Netherlands, the initiative aims to boost engagement, address emerging challenges, and forge connections between academia, industry, and policymakers. Through a challenge-based format, participants will tackle real-world cybersecurity issues, collaborate internationally, and gain exposure to leading experts, all while developing their ideas and skills within the European cybersecurity ecosystem. ecosystem. By fostering dialogue, hands-on engagement, and mentorship, it offers participants a unique opportunity to contribute to shaping the future of digital security.

The Young Talents Programme

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The Young Talents Programme 2025 is designed for students and early career researchers eager to tackle real-world cybersecurity challenges while collaborating in an international and interdisciplinary environment. The digital world faces increasing threats, requiring innovative solutions in technology, policy, governance, and public awareness. The Young Talents Programme is designed to identify and empower today’s emerging cybersecurity talents—those who are already shaping, or will soon shape, the future of digital security through innovation, research, and cross-border collaboration. 

The Challenge – Can You Secure the Future?

As a participant, you will engage in a hands-on, challenge-based experience that pushes you to think critically about modern cybersecurity threats. Your mission will revolve around key questions such as:

• How can we enhance cyber resilience at national, European and international levels?
• What are the best ways to detect, prevent, and mitigate cyber threats?
• How can public and private stakeholders collaborate to create a safer digital environment?
• What ethical, legal, and societal challenges arise from emerging cyber technologies?

These topics will serve as the foundation for your team challenge, which you will define and develop alongside your teammates and mentors. No predefined solutions—only open-ended problems that demand innovation!

A Three-Phase Programme

The Young Talents Programme is structured into three phases. 

• Phase 1: Kick-off & Forum InCyber (March 31 – April 3, 2025, Lille, France) brings together 12 participants (6 from France, 6 from the Netherlands) to form 2 teams, attend one of Europe’s leading cybersecurity conferences, engage in networking sessions, and start defining their challenge. 
• Phase 2: Team Collaboration (April – September 2025, Remote) allows both teams to organize their own working sessions over six months, with no continuous work expected—each team decides how to structure its collaboration, while organizers provide periodic check-ins for support. 
• Phase 3: Final Presentations & ONE Conference (September 29 – October 1, 2025, The Hague, Netherlands) concludes the programme with teams presenting their findings at the ONE Conference, followed by discussions with international experts. 

Throughout the programme, participants receive expert mentorship, gaining hands-on experience in cybersecurity problem-solving, networking, and cross-border collaboration.

Two Major Cybersecurity Conferences

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Preliminary programme

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Practical information

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Organisers

The Young Talents event is organized by the Embassy of France in the Netherlands, the Institut français NL, the Embassy of the Netherlands in France, the French-Dutch Network for research and higher education, and the University of Lille.

Partners

The event is supported by key partners from the cybersecurity ecosystem, including the Forum InCyber, and the ONE Conference.

When

March 19 (Online), from March 31 to April 3, 2025, in Lille, France, followed by six months of remote work with scheduled check-ins. The program concludes mid September with an online meeting and then from September 29 to October 2, 2025, in The Hague, the Netherlands.

For whom

Master’s, PDEng, and PhD students, aged between 20 and 35 years old, with a good conversational level in English, are eligible to apply. International students studying in France or the Netherlands are also invited to apply.

Cybersecurity is a highly transversal field that draws on expertise from many scientific and technical areas. While it has its own specialized sectors, its challenges and solutions require a multidisciplinary approach. We are looking for students from various scientific and technical domains, including but not limited to:

• Data and computer sciences
• Engineering / Electronics / IoT
• AI
• Mathematics / Cryptography
• Digital forensics
• Global security, defense cyber defence
• Cybercrime (criminology) 
• Privacy, cybersecurity and data governance
• Cyber diplomacy
• Blockchain / Distributed ledger technologies
• Industrial cybersecurity
• Humanities and social sciences / Law
• Economics / Political science

Students from other academic disciplines who feel they could contribute to this challenge are also welcome to apply.

Language

The working sessions between Young Talents will be entirely in English.

Costs

The organizers will cover the costs of transportation (travel between the participants’ home and Lille and The Hague + public transport on-site) and meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner). They will also arrange accommodation (three nights in Lille and three nights in The Hague). You are responsible for the costs of any other expenses yourselves. The participation in the Young Talents event does not involve any initial expenses for the participants.

Participation

All 12 selected participants will attend both the online meetings and the physical programmes in Lille and The Hague. Participation in the full programme is mandatory. Any unjustified failure (absenteeism, inappropriate behavior) will lead to exclusion from further participation in the Young Talents event.

How to apply

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Application form

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