The Center for a New American Security runs this annual, part-time professional development fellowship for 20–25 emerging U.S. national security leaders. Fellows join hybrid leadership and national security discussions centered on CNAS programming in Washington, D.C. The year includes a dinner series and concludes with a week-long international study tour. The 2027 class is accepting applications through August 30, 2026.
Benefits & funding
- Participation is free; CNAS does not charge a program fee.
- Fellows take part in leadership and national security discussions with experienced practitioners and thought leaders.
- The program includes a dinner series and a week-long international study tour.
- Participants must pay their own travel costs to and from Washington, D.C. for dinners and events; CNAS does not state a stipend.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be United States citizens.
- Applicants must be 27–35 years old when applications close on August 30, 2026.
- Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to public service.
- The current application page asks for at least five years of experience researching or executing U.S. national security policy, while the FAQ says the experience threshold is a guideline rather than a firm requirement; no hard minimum is therefore encoded.
- Applicants need not live in the Washington, D.C. area, but they must be able to travel there for program dinners and remain committed to programming throughout the year.
- No degree or current-employment requirement is stated.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Eligible nationalities
USA
Age requirement
27–35 yrs
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Application process
- 1Complete the official online application by 11:59 p.m. EST on August 30, 2026.
- 2Combine a résumé of no more than two pages and a letter of interest into one PDF, placing the résumé first.
- 3Provide a nomination letter through the portal or arrange for the nominator to email it to CNAS by the deadline.
- 4Submit a complete application through the CNAS portal rather than Indeed; finalists may be asked for additional materials.
Program timeline
Application deadline
August 30, 2026, 11:59 p.m. EST
Decisions communicated
By the end of January 2027
Fellowship begins
January 2027
Fellowship ends
December 2027