About Nuclear Scholars Initiative The Labs Nuclear Scholars Initiative aims to provide early career experts from the National Laboratories and NNSA with a unique venue to interact, dialogue and gain in-depth knowledge on nuclear weapons. This week-long training session will include expert talks and interactive seminars for five days on topics including: U.S. nuclear policy and the nuclear enterprise, extended deterrence and assurance, nuclear modernization, emerging technology, arms control and nonproliferation, along with skills-based exercises and professional development talks. The final day will culminate in site-visits at U.S. government agencies like the State Department and Department of Defense. PONI supports participants’ hotel costs in Washington, DC, as well as meals and local ground transportation. PONI does not provide funding for flights between participants’ respective laboratory and Washington, DC. Application Information PONI is now accepting applications for the 2025 cohort for the Labs Nuclear Scholars Initiative. Prospective applicants should submit their material using the link below. NOTE: Applicants must be employed at NNSA HQ, one of the NNSA Laboratories, Office of Science Laboratories, or Other DOE Laboratories listed here. PONI welcomes applicants with less than 7 years of experience in the nuclear field. The application deadline is June 29, 2025 at 11:59 PM ET. Applicants will be notified in July 2025. APPLICATION FORM 2025 Notional Agenda The program will run in-person in Washington, DC for one week from October 20, 2025 – October 24, 2025. Below is the notional agenda for the program, which is tentative and subject to change. Accepted participants will receive a final agenda closer to the date of the program. Monday, October 20, 2025 U.S. Nuclear Policy and Deterrence Holistic View of the Nuclear Enterprise and National Laboratories Interagency Discussion on U.S. Nuclear Policy Deterrence 102 Adversary Threat Briefings (China, Russia, DPRK, Iran) Tuesday, October 21, 2025 Alliance Management and Extended Deterrence Extended Deterrence in Europe Extended Deterrence in the Indo-Pacific On the Nuclear Brink – Taiwan Strait, Ukraine Scenarios Guided escalation management exercises chaired by PONI staff Wednesday, October 22, 2025 Arms Control and Nonproliferation Arms Control and Verification Technologies Arms Control for Emerging Technology State of the NPT and Health of the Global Nuclear Order Disarmament and the TPNW Thursday, October 23, 2025 Emerging Deterrence Challenges Geopolitical Challenges in a Three-Peer Nuclear Environment Infrastructure Challenges for Nuclear Modernization Role of Technology in Maintaining Strategic Stability TTX – CSIS Missile Defense Project Guided decision-making exercise on nuclear posture, policy, and capabilities Friday, October 24, 2025 Government Site Visits Offsite Visits to the Pentagon and State Department: Emerging Deterrence Challenges and Current Strategic Priorities