Class Bios Class of 2027 Class of 2026 Class (2024-26) Class (2023-26) Class (2022-25) Class (2021-24) Class (2020-23) Class (2019-22) Class (2018-21) About The Mid-Career Cadre is a select group of nuclear professionals that have been in the field for 7 or more years and demonstrate promise for moving into leadership positions or bringing new ideas and perspectives to the field. In certain cases, PONI will also consider applications from individuals with less than 7 years of experience in the field, such as from those from individuals shifting career paths. Cadre members come from technical, policy, academic, and military backgrounds. Upon selection, Cadre members participate for a one-year term. PONI created the cadre to continue to engage with professionals beyond the nascent stage of their careers and to provide them with educational and developmental opportunities. Activities for the cadre include international exchanges, engagements with senior experts, multilateral dialogues, and opportunities to mentor young professionals in PONI’s other programs. Mid-career events occur on a quarterly basis over one year. Programming and Opportunities Cadre members meet in person quarterly over a one-year term, the annual programming includes: Deep Dives (x3): One day workshops hosted at CSIS in Washington, DC built around a theme spanning deterrence, modernization, alliances, arms control, and nonproliferation. Each meeting combines discussion with senior experts, mentoring, and professional development. PONI convenes the cadre with senior officials and leading experts for in-depth, private discussions across the nuclear field. Recent sessions have featured the Director of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, allied government officials, national Lab Directors, Deputy Assistant Secretaries, former STRATCOM Commanders, and leading think tank experts. International Exchanges (x1): PONI works with its international partners to organize exchanges focused nuclear cooperation. Recent trips have included to the United Kingdom (July 2026) visiting the Atomic Weapons Establishment, MoD, FCDO, and bilateral dialogues with the RUSI Deterrence Futures Fellows, an exchange on Australia (November 2024) on AUKUS and nuclear naval propulsion, with a tour of ANSTO’s research reactor at Lucas Heights, and an exchange in Vienna (June 2024) visiting the IAEA, VCDNP, and CTBTO. Older exchanges have involved a U.S.-UK Exchange in Washington, DC, a “New England Exchange” visiting General Dynamics Electric Boat and Mission Systems facilities in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, dialogues with French mid-career professionals, tours of the sea-borne component of the French deterrent, a tour of the UK nuclear deterrent, a visit to the Nevada test site, and discussions on nuclear policy at NATO HQ. Beyond these Cadre members also have additional opportunities including mentoring young professionals in PONI’s Nuclear Scholars Initiative, supporting their research and career development. Cadre members are invited to attend all PONI events, including the annual conference series and public events, such as the debate series. Members of the cadre are frequently invited to present their research at public events, or to serve as moderators for panels at the annual conference series. Cadre members can publish blog posts and longer commentary on the Nuclear Network. Application Information Nuclear professionals with seven or more years of experience in the field are welcome to apply. PONI is committed to including experts from different backgrounds and countries. The cadre is open to U.S. citizens and a limited number of international partners. PONI can cover travel costs for select participants located outside of the Washington, DC area. While PONI does its best to include all members in the full range of programming, it cannot guarantee that foreign nationals will be granted access to all facilities where cadre activities take place. Applications are now closed for the Mid-Career Cadre Class of 2027. The next cohort will open for applications in fall 2027. To be notified when applications open, sign up here. If you have any questions about the Mid-Career Cadre, please contact Bailey Schiff (bschiff@csis.org).