About Nuclear Scholars Initiative Class Bios Class of 2025 Class of 2024 Class of 2023 Class of 2022 Class of 2021 Class of 2020 Class of 2019 Class of 2018 The Nuclear Scholars Initiative aims to provide top graduate students and young professionals from around the country with a unique venue to interact and dialogue with senior experts on nuclear weapons issues. Those accepted into the program are hosted once per month over the course of six months at CSIS in Washington, DC, where they participate in two-day workshops. Candidates with less than seven years of professional experience are welcome to apply. For applicants with more than seven years of professional experience, PONI recommends they apply to the Mid-Career Cadre. Application Information Applications for the 2026 Nuclear Scholars cohort are now open. Applications are due November 21 at 11:59 PM EST. Please fill out the application form below. Your complete application should consist of a research proposal, a resume/CV, and a letter of recommendation. Please have your recommender send their letter of recommendation to poni@csis.org. Please reach out to Diya Ashtakala (dashtakala@csis.org) or Caroline Ward (cward@csis.org) with any questions. APPLICATION FOR THE 2026 PROGRAM HERE Benefits/Opportunities Managing an increasingly complex array of nuclear weapons challenges will require talented next-generation professionals with the necessary technical, operational, and policy expertise. The Nuclear Scholars Initiative (run annually) aims to help develop this expertise and foster a community of rising nuclear experts. The program provides select graduate students and young professionals with a wide variety of backgrounds and perspectives to interact, dialogue, and gain in-depth knowledge on a wide range of nuclear weapons issues. Those accepted into the program are hosted once per month from February to July at CSIS in Washington, DC, where they participate in two-day workshops that include discussions with senior experts, professional development seminars, break-out discussions, debates, simulations, and table-top exercises. Topics include deterrence, operations, arms control, nonproliferation, disarmament, and emerging technology. The development of participants’ research, writing, and analytic skills is a critical component of the Nuclear Scholars Initiative. During the six-month program, scholars will have the opportunity to publish their research in a short form analytical piece on PONI Next Generation Nuclear Network (NGNN) blog. During each cycle, scholars may have the opportunity to present their research at a PONI conference. PONI can cover travel costs for select participants located outside of the Washington, DC area. PONI is pleased to offer a limited number of spots to non-U.S. citizens for the 2026 cohort.