Future Arms Control Experts

The Future Arms Control Experts cohort is designed to provide an opportunity for early- and mid-career professionals to develop the skills needed for future arms control negotiations and to learn and absorb/acquire critical knowledge from former arms control negotiators, inspectors, and other experts.

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The National Nuclear Security Administration’s Office of Nonproliferation and Arms Control (NPAC) in the Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation (DNN) and the Center for Strategic and International Studies’ Project on Nuclear Issues (PONI) began accepting applications for the Future Arms Control Experts (FACE) in 2024. FACE is a select group of nuclear professionals that have been in the field for 5 or more years and come from technical, policy, and academic backgrounds. NPAC and PONI are committed to including a diverse group of experts from different backgrounds and areas of expertise.

Over the course of the one-year program, participants will contribute to research on arms control and participate in a variety of virtual educational activities. The FACE cohort will participate in an in-person, multi-day, interactive seminar on policy and technical issues associated with different arms control and nonproliferation agreements, including monitoring and verification measures. Participants will learn from current and former arms control negotiators, inspectors, and other experts on arms control and risk reduction agreements. Participants will also engage in group simulations and tabletop exercises.

The cohort will also contribute to the development of an online portal with a digital archive of historical documents, a video collection of interviews with arms control negotiators and inspectors, and an analysis center on lessons learned from past arms control agreements.

The Future Arms Control Experts cohort is designed to provide an opportunity for early- and mid-career professionals to develop the skills needed for future arms control negotiations and to learn and absorb/acquire critical knowledge from former arms control negotiators, inspectors, and other experts.

Eligibility

Nuclear professionals with 5 or more years of experience in the field are welcome to apply. Please note you must be a U.S. citizen to participate in the program. NPAC and PONI are committed to including a diverse group of experts from different backgrounds and areas of expertise. This program does not require relocation.

Expectations

Cohort members will be expected to contribute 8-10 hours of their time over the course of the program, not including time spent during the multi-day seminar. They will be expected to attend bi-monthly virtual training sessions of 1 hour each, along with attending the multi-day arms control seminar in summer 2025. Cohort members are expected to fund their own time for the program, however, PONI will cover the costs associated with travel and accommodations for the arms control seminar.

Application Information

Applications for the Class of 2025 will open in July 2025. Prospective candidates will be required to submit a cover letter, resume/CV, and letter of recommendation for the program.

Your cover letter should demonstrate your interest in arms control and include why you want to participate in the cohort, what you hope to gain from the experience, and what perspective you will bring to the group. Your recommendation letter should highlight your leadership potential and contributions to the field.

Please fill out this form to register your interest and sign up to be notified when we are accepting applications. If you have questions about the Future Arms Control Experts cohort or application process, please contact Libby Kos (ekos@csis.org) and Niko Adamopoulos (nadamopoulos@csis.org).