Center for a New American Security

As part of its mission to prepare and foster the next generation of national security and defense leaders, the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) is pleased to announce the launch of its second annual Next Generation National Security Leaders Program.

For the second successive year, CNAS will gather potential future national security leaders to participate in a series of frank and open discussions on immediate and long-term national security and foreign policy challenges. The Next Generation National Security Leaders Program will consist of a bipartisan group of emerging analysts and practitioners who will participate in a series of events aimed at developing a shared understanding of the nations security interests and international priorities.

During the program, Next Generation Leaders will engage with influential figures in the national security field in a series of candid discussions on several of the most pressing issues the United States faces, as well as contribute to collaborative writing projects with their fellow Leaders.  Next Generation Leaders will also have the opportunity to participate in variety of CNAS-hosted events. 

The 2010-2011 program will again be led by CNAS President John Nagl and Steve Biegun, corporate officer and vice president of International Governmental Affairs for Ford Motor Company, former senior advisor to Senator John McCain, and CNAS advisory board member.

Application Process

To be considered for the Next Generation National Security Leaders Program applicants must submit a complete application, which includes:

• Online application form
• Letter of interest
• Résumé/CV
• Nominating letter from a non-family member describing your strength as a candidate.

Please do not submit the online form until you are ready to upload your complete application (with the possible exception of the nominating letter).  You will not be able to log back in to update your application.  Any changes to your application should be emailed to nextgeneration@cnas.org.

Applicants must:

• Be a United States citizen
• Be between 25-32 years old
• Possess a Bachelor’s Degree
• Have at least three years of professional experience in researching or executing U.S. national security policy
• Demonstrate a commitment to public service

Please note: CNAS encourages active duty members of the military to apply for the program.

CNAS understands that most of the participants will be employed full-time, but expects the Next Generation Leaders to attend and participate in all events. Please note that this is a time-consuming program. Efforts will be made to schedule events in such a way so as to reduce conflicts for the participants.

Please click the APPLY button below to submit your application.

*DEADLINE: ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL OR POSTMARKED BY 5:00 PM EASTERN TIME ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER, 3, 2010.

Applicants selected to participate in the program will be notified by Wednesday, September 15.
An opening reception will take place in early Fall. Unless otherwise stated, all events will take place in Washington, D.C.; individuals are responsible for any travel expenses incurred.

Nominating Letters

Nominating letters should be no longer than 500 words. Letters should address attributes such as the candidate’s experience, intellectual abilities, leadership capacity and potential. If not submitted with the other application materials through the online form, nomination letters can be emailed directly to CNAS at nextgeneration@cnas.org with "Nominating Letter" in the subject line or mailed to:

Center for a New American Security
c/o Zachary Hosford
1301 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Ste. 403
Washington, D.C. 20004

2009 Next Generation National Security Leaders Program

The 2009 program consisted of a series of dinner discussions led by CNAS President John Nagl and Steve Biegun, corporate officer and vice president of international governmental affairs for Ford Motor Company, former senior advisor to Senator John McCain, and CNAS advisory board member. Each dinner discussion centered on an imminent topic in national security and featured a guest presentation by a leading expert on the subject.  Topics included: Afghanistan and Pakistan, Natural Security (the intersection of national security and natural resource scarcity, energy, and climate change), the future of Asia, irregular warfare, and the effects of the economic crisis on national security. The program culminated in a closing dinner which featured a keynote address by the Honorable Senator John McCain.

Click here to see the 2009 Next Generation National Security Leaders.