July 31, 2025
CNAS Shawn Brimley Next Generation National Security Leaders Fellowship Now Accepting Applications for the 2026 Class
Washington, Thursday, July 31, 2025 — The Center for a New American Security (CNAS) is now accepting applications for the 2026 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. The year-long, part-time fellowship was renamed in 2018 in honor of the late Shawn Brimley, one of the founding members of CNAS, for his incredible contributions to the Center and to the broader national security community.
The NextGen Fellowship aims to bring together a diverse group of young professionals from across the national security field to develop their leadership skills. NextGen fellows have the opportunity to engage with key national security leaders through various events, including a monthly dinner series, a week-long international study tour, and a leadership seminar.
“Preparing the next generation of national security leaders lies at the heart of CNAS’s mission,” said Michèle Flournoy, cofounder of CNAS and cochair of the NextGen program. “We fully expect that many members of this fellowship’s 2026 class will help build the future of U.S. national security policy, and we’re proud to play a role in the professional development of such impressive up-and-coming leaders.”
“For years, the fellowship program has prepared talented, emerging national security professionals for bright futures in the field,” said Vance Serchuk, cochair of the NextGen program. “The new NextGen class can look forward to a series of exceptional learning experiences 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, Admiral Cecil Haney, Congressman Mike Gallagher, Ambassador Bonnie Jenkins, Ambassador Nate Fick, and many other current and former national security leaders.
Applications are open now until 11:59 p.m. ET on Sunday, September 21, 2025.
For more information about the program and application process, please visit our FAQs page. For questions concerning the program, please contact [email protected].
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