Next Generation National Security Leaders Fellowship 2027 in USA

The Center for a New American Security is recruiting its 2027 NextGen class. This bipartisan program selects 20 to 25 emerging security leaders annually. Fellows engage with top national security thought leaders throughout the year. The program includes a dinner series and an international study tour. Notably, there’s no cost to participate in this fellowship. Participants only cover their own travel to CNAS events.

Program Snapshot

• Host Organization: Center for a New American Security (CNAS)
• Format: Year-long, part-time professional development
• Fellows Selected: 20 to 25 emerging leaders annually
• Age Requirement: 27 to 35 years old
• Application Deadline: August 30, 2026, 11:59 PM EST
• Decisions Announced: By the end of January 2027

Focus Areas

• National security leadership principles and practices
• Bipartisan policy engagement and networking
• International study tour on global security issues
• Mentorship from senior defense and policy officials

About the Fellowship

This program honors Shawn Brimley, a founding CNAS member who passed away. It brings together young professionals across diverse national security sectors. Fellows attend a recurring dinner series featuring senior leaders and officials. Past participants have dined with figures like Madeleine Albright and General Stanley McChrystal. The program also includes a week-long international study tour abroad. Previous cohorts have traveled to destinations across Asia and the Middle East.

What Fellows Gain

Fellows build genuine cross-sector relationships within the national security community. They develop leadership skills through structured seminars and workshops throughout. Direct engagement with senior policymakers provides rare access and mentorship opportunities. The program operates in a hybrid format, balancing flexibility with in-person engagement. While dial-in options exist for dinners, in-person attendance remains strongly encouraged.

Who Can Apply

Applicants must hold United States citizenship without exception. Candidates should be between 27 and 35 years old currently. At least five years of national security experience is required. This can include researching or executing security policy professionally. Applicants must also demonstrate genuine commitment to public service broadly.

Required Materials

Applicants need a completed application form and a detailed resume. A letter of interest should accompany the resume as one PDF. Additionally, a nomination letter must support each complete application. Incomplete applications will not receive consideration during the review process.

How to Apply

Complete your application through CNAS’s official application portal. Do not apply through third-party sites.

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Conclusion

This fellowship offers a genuinely rare opportunity for rising national security professionals to build bipartisan relationships and learn directly from senior policy leaders. Its cost-free structure and strong alumni network make it especially valuable despite the travel commitment involved. Given the conflicting deadline information across sources, applicants should confirm the exact 2027 cutoff directly with nextgeneration@cnas.org before finalizing their submission.

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