A Collection of Papers from the Next Generation Read Full Report The Nuclear Scholars Initiative is a signature program run by the Project on Nuclear Issues (PONI) to engage emerging nuclear experts in thoughtful and informed debate over how to best address the nuclear community’s most pressing problems. The papers included in this volume comprise research from participants in the 2024 Nuclear Scholars Initiative. They explore a range of crucial debates amid a nuclear landscape that has experienced profound shifts over the past year, driven by a series of critical developments. Nearly three years into the conflict in Ukraine, the heightened role of nuclear deterrence continues to dominate the strategic calculations of major powers. Russia’s nuclear rhetoric and military maneuvers have intensified global tensions, disrupted existing arms control frameworks, and fueled fears of a renewed nuclear arms race. China’s swift expansion of its nuclear arsenal marks a strategic pivot, reflecting Beijing’s ambition to position itself as a nuclear peer to the United States. This shift, combined with North Korea’s ongoing missile launches and Iran’s progressing nuclear program, places additional pressure on the already fragile global nonproliferation regime. These rising nuclear actors are pushing the boundaries of international norms and challenging the capacity of global institutions to curb nuclear escalation. Simultaneously, the incorporation of advanced technologies—such as hypersonic weapons, artificial intelligence (AI), and cyber capabilities—into nuclear strategies is reshaping traditional concepts of deterrence and stability. While these technologies offer new opportunities, they also introduce vulnerabilities and uncertainties, adding complexity and unpredictability to the nuclear landscape. The next generation of policy, technical, and operational nuclear professionals are tackling some of these issues in volume 7 of On the Horizon. This publication was made possible with support by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency under Award and the Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration.