About Nuclear Scholars Initiative Class Bios 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. Candidates with less than seven years of professional experience are welcome to apply. Application Information Applications for the 2024 Nuclear Scholars cohort are now open until October 13. Click below to apply. Apply for the Class of 2024 Benefits/Opportunities Addressing an increasingly complex array of nuclear weapons challenges in the future will require talented next generation professionals with the necessary technical, operational, and policy expertise. To help develop this expertise and connect rising nuclear experts, PONI runs an annual Nuclear Scholars Initiative (NSI) for a group of select graduate students and young professionals from diverse and inclusive backgrounds and perspectives. NSI provides these individuals with a unique venue to interact, dialogue, and gain in-depth knowledge on nuclear weapons, arms control, nonproliferation, and other related challenges. Those accepted into the program are hosted once per month from January to June at CSIS in Washington, DC where they participate in daylong workshops that include discussions with senior experts, professional development seminars, break-out discussions, debates, simulations, and table-top exercises. Topics include deterrence, regional analysis, arms control, nonproliferation, nuclear security, and emerging technology. Developing your research, writing, and analytic skills are critical components of the Nuclear Scholars Initiative. Scholars are expected to prepare a research product during their time as a scholar. Options include writing an article for the annual PONI journal, a short analysis piece for the Next Generation Nuclear Network (NGNN) website, or a collaborative research project. Scholars will have opportunities to present your research at a PONI conference. During the six months, scholars will be given the opportunity to hone their research product through reviews with their peers, members of the Mid-Career Cadre, and senior experts. PONI can cover travel costs for select participants located outside of the Washington, DC. PONI is pleased to offer a limited number of spots to non-U.S. citizens for the 2024 cohort. A virtual attendance option will be provided if accepted participants are unable to travel. Reach out to Lachlan MacKenzie ([email protected]) for more information.