Program Summary

The Institute for American Leadership is establishing a nonpartisan fellowship program to engage and educate congressional staffers and White House staff on US national security and soft power. The National Security Fellowship will be led by Major General Bo Mahaney, Colonel Michael Prendergrast, and former National Defense University Professors Damion Higbie and Thad Phillips. 

The goal of the National Security Fellowship is to increase knowledge of soft power among policymakers. National Security Fellows will receive in-depth overviews on the history of soft power and policy approaches towards US national security. National Security Fellows will also engage in discussions about Congress’ role in these topics, including a history of legislative action involving soft power.

National Security Fellows will be required to attend one seminar per month hosted by the Institute for American Leadership. Seminars will last 1.5 - 2 hours in length, and cover applicable topics related to soft power and American leadership. Seminars may be held online or in-person (times of events will be varied to accommodate all schedules). Seminars will include presentations and discussions with current and former US government officials as well as partner organizations that support US national security.

Ideal candidates for the program will have experience and interest in foreign policy. At the conclusion of the Fellowship, fellows who have successfully completed a minimum of six sessions will receive a certificate and challenge coin from the Institute for American Leadership.

Details

The National Security Policy Fellowship program will run from January 1, 2026 – October 30, 2026 (no seminar will be held in December)

Applications for the Fellowship will be accepted from October 1, 2025 – December 27, 2025

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the open period, and if qualified, applicants will receive a request for an interview in November.

I4AL is looking to accept 25-35 applicants for its inaugural National Security Policy Fellows class.

Logistics

In line with applicable congressional ethics, National Security Fellows will not receive compensation for their time in the program except for attendance at luncheons, seminars, or other widely-attended events as cleared by the US House and Senate Ethics Committees where they may accept a meal provided by I4AL.

National Security Policy Fellows events will include one seminar hosted over a meal once per month during the duration of the program.

National Security Policy Fellows are responsible for their own transportation to and from fellowship events. However, fellows are eligible to receive reimbursement for travel expenses per applicable ethics guidelines.

National Security Policy Fellows events will either be held online or on Capitol Hill.

High-level Syllabus

Session 1: Why Foreign Assistance Matters to U.S. National Security

Session 2: Foreign Assistance and Great Power Competition

Session 3: Promoting Democracy, the Rule of Law, and Human Rights

Session 4: Economic and Health Returns on Assistance Plus Technology, Cyber, and Infrastructure Assistance

Session 5: Domestic Perceptions and the Role of the Military in Foreign Assistance

Session 6: Crisis-driven Tabletop Exercise

Session 7: Capstone Kickoff - Evaluating Policy Options for International Assistance Plus “Information” as an Instrument of National Power

Session 8: Capstone Analysis Working Session Plus Budgeting, Oversight, and Congressional Tools

Session 9: Final Presentations and Awards/Certificates

Session 10: Floating Makeup Session (As Needed)

Apply Now

To apply for the National Security Policy Fellowship, please submit this application. For any questions, please contact Damion Higbie, Course Director, at damionhigbie@instituteforamerica.org.