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 monthly basis over one year. Class Bios Class of 2026 Class (2024-26) Class (2023-26) Class (2022-25) Class (2021-24) Class (2020-23) Class (2019-22) Class (2018-21) Application Information We are now accepting applications for the Mid-Career Cadre Class of 2027. 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. Cadre members come from technical, policy, academic, and military backgrounds. Please complete the following application form, which requires uploading a cover letter and resume/CV. Applicants should also email a letter of recommendation, sent directly from your recommender, to bschiff@csis.org. Applications are due by 11:59 PM EST on June 30, 2026. Your cover letter should include why you want to participate in the Mid-Career Cadre, what you hope to get out of 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 reach out to Bailey Schiff at bschiff@csis.org with any questions. Eligibility: 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 in our work. For the time being, given resource constraints, the Mid-Career Cadre is open to U.S. citizens and a limited number of international partners. Additionally, while PONI does its best to ensure that all Cadre members are able to participate in the full range of Mid-Career programming, we cannot guarantee that foreign nationals will be granted access to all facilities where Mid-Career activities take place. Opportunities for engagement: International Exchanges PONI works with its international partners to organize various week-long international exchanges. In November 2024, we hosted an exchange in Canberra and Sydney, Australia, which included roundtables at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Office of National Intelligence, and the Department of Defence on topics such as AUKUS and nuclear naval propulsion, as well as a visit to the United States Studies Centre and a tour of the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation’s (ANSTO) research reactor at Lucas Heights. In June 2024, we hosted an exchange in Vienna, Austria, which included visits to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation (VCDNP), and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO). Previous 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. Engagements with Senior Leaders PONI hosts monthly private roundtables to bring the Cadre together with senior officials and leading experts to engage in in-depth discussions on a range of nuclear issues. Recent roundtables have featured Assistant Secretary Mallory Stewart, Deputy Administrator Corey Hinderstein, NSC Senior Director Pranay Vaddi, and more. Deep Dive Workshops Deep Dive workshops bring together the Cadre to participate in collaborative research and develop recommendations relating to one key question in the nuclear field whose solution requires innovative and interdisciplinary approaches. Recent and upcoming deep dive topics include the U.S. tritium stockpile, the future of nuclear command and control, allied proliferation, and strategic stability in the Arctic. Mentorship Opportunities Support young professionals in the current Nuclear Scholars class on research projects and career development. Publishing Opportunities PONI provides opportunities for Mid-Career Cadre members to publish blog posts and longer commentary on our website, the Nuclear Network. PONI Events 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. If you have any questions about the Mid-Career Cadre, please reach out to Bailey Schiff at bschiff@csis.org.