CNAS Shawn Brimley Next Generation National Security Leaders Fellowship

The Center for a New American Security (CNAS) announced today that it is accepting applications for the 2021 class of the Shawn Brimley Next Generation National Security Leaders Fellowship.

Each year, CNAS selects a bipartisan group of 20-25 emerging national security leaders between the ages of 27 and 35 to participate in the program. In June 2018, CNAS renamed the fellowship in honor of the late Shawn Brimley, one of the founding members of CNAS, for his incredible contributions to the Center and the broader national security community.

The year-long, part-time fellowship aims to bring together young professionals across sectors within the national security field to learn best practices and lessons in leadership. Next Gen Fellows will have the opportunity to engage with key voices on national security and leadership principles through various engagements, including a monthly dinner series and participation in a week-long, exclusive international study tour.

“Developing the next generation of national security leaders has been an essential part of the Center’s mission since its founding,” said Michèle Flournoy, co-chair of the Next Gen program. “We fully expect that many members of this fellowship’s 2021 class will help build the future of U.S. national security policy, and we’re proud to play a role in the professional growth of such impressive young leaders.”

“This unique fellowship program offers emerging national security professionals a rich and diverse experience to prepare them for a successful future in the field,” said Robert Rangel, co-chair of the Next Gen program. “The coming class can look forward to remarkable learning opportunities that will both broaden and deepen their perspectives as national security leaders.”

Previous classes have traveled to Asia and the Middle East and have taken part in leadership roundtable dinners with former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, General Stanley McChrystal, former Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson, Congressman Mike Gallagher, and Ambassador Bonnie Jenkins, and many other former and current national security leaders.

CNAS will accept applications until 11:59pm ET on Sunday, October 11, 2020.

Please note: All events related to the program are currently taking place virtually under CNAS' COVID guidelines.

For more information about the program and application process, please visit our FAQs webpage. For questions concerning the program, please contact nextgeneration@cnas.org.