The CSIS Policy Fellowship 2025 for undergraduate students.

Application Deadline: November 1, 2024,

Applications are now open for the CSIS Policy Fellowship. The CSIS Policy Fellowship is dedicated to empowering undergraduate students of historically underrepresented backgrounds who demonstrate an interest in joining and furthering the national security community. Through its four departments and over 30 research streams, CSIS has broadened the definition of national security beyond purely defense to include human security, climate, tech, and other crucial regional and topical issue areas. Fellows will learn from renowned foreign policy experts and practitioners and participate in a mutual exchange of ideas that fosters professional growth, builds connections, and accelerates success.

This semester-long fellowship is intended for sophomores, juniors, and seniors attending universities within the D.C., Maryland, and Northern Virginia (DMV) region, who have demonstrated a strong interest in national security, and who seek to advance their careers in the policy field.

Requirements

The CSIS Policy Fellowship is designed for individuals who want to advance their careers in the field of national security. Candidates from historically marginalized backgrounds with a strong desire to pursue a career in policy are encouraged to apply.

The ideal candidate:

• Is currently enrolled as a sophomore, junior, or senior at an eligible university in the DMV at the time of their application.
• Demonstrates a strong commitment to making a positive difference in the world through policy.
• Seeks engagement with experts and other participants on national security issues broadly defined and professional development.
• Hails from any relevant major with an interest in policy and/or national security. This includes but is not limited to majors in economics, environmental science, history, sociology, political science, global health, law, computer science, engineering, and international relations.
• Identifies as belonging to a racial, ethnic, and/or historically marginalized group. Historically marginalized groups may include but are not limited to women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, Indigenous populations, socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals, or non-native English speakers.
• Can commit to attending both bootcamp days (January 28th and January 30th) 
• Can adhere to the attendance policy of attending at least 11 of the 13 sessions and are available from 3 – 7 PM on Thursday evenings throughout the spring semester.

Benefits

• 16 applicants will be selected as fellows for each annual cohort. Fellows’ travel to CSIS will be covered based on their individual needs and fellows will be eligible to receive a $1,500 stipend.
• Fellows will meet on a weekly basis over a 15-week period (January 28th – May 8th) for a combination of professional development seminars, geopolitical briefings, and networking events. Sessions will be tailored to accelerate the fellows’ professional growth, foster connections with policy leaders and CSIS mentors, and position them for success as future leaders in the field of foreign policy.

Eligible Universities

• American University (DC)
• Bowie State University (MD)
• The Catholic University of America (DC)
• Georgetown University (DC)
• George Mason University (VA)
• The George Washington University (DC)
• Howard University (DC)
• Johns Hopkins University (MD)
• Marymount University (VA)
• Morgan State University (MD)
• Trinity Washington University (DC)
• University of the District of Columbia (DC)
• University of Maryland, College Park (MD)

How To Apply

Applications for the CSIS Policy Fellowship will open on September 30, 2024, and close on November 1, 2024, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Applicants will be notified by early December, and should be ready to begin in January 2025.

Please note that due to the volume of applications, we are not able to address all inquiries relating to the Fellowship. 

More Info: CSIS Policy Fellowship