To compete and thrive in the 21st century, democracies, and the United States in particular, must develop new national security and economic strategies that address the geopolitics of information. In the 20th century, market capitalist democracies geared infrastructure, energy, trade, and even social policy to protect and advance that era’s key source of power—manufacturing. In this century, democracies must better account for information geopolitics across all dimensions of domestic policy and national strategy.
About
The National Security Fellows Program is a 10-month postgraduate research fellowship for U.S. military officers (Lt Col/Colonel or equivalent) and civilian officials from the Intelligence Community who show promise of rising to the most challenging leadership positions in their organizations.
This approved senior service college fellowship provides officers and officials with the tools to make the transition from operational to strategic expertise. Fellows study public management and security matters and learn to appreciate and evaluate diverse perspectives on a range of issues. They belong to a fellowship community that brings other practitioners such as politicians, journalists, diplomats and educators to Harvard. After they leave Cambridge, Fellows continue to take part in a variety of events that are organized regularly for alumni of Harvard Kennedy School.
Selection for this program is handled internally by the respective military services and federal government agencies.
The Fellowship is structured to help Fellows
- Build a network of colleagues in varied disciplines in and out of government
- Connect with world-class faculty, a resource Fellows can reach back to as they take on new challenges in their post-war-college careers
- Prepare for executive-level service in security and intelligence organizations of the US Government
- Foster communication between senior members of DoD and the students and faculty of Harvard Kennedy School to facilitate understanding and engagement
- Develop enhanced leadership and communication competencies
During their year at Harvard, National Security Fellows
- Pursue group research projects and write a paper aimed at senior policymakers
- Present the results of their research to policy makers in Washington, DC
- Audit classes at Harvard, MIT, and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University
- Participate in the 2-week National Security Fellows Executive Program
- Attend guest speaker seminars hosted by the National Security Fellows and other groups around Harvard, MIT, and the Fletcher School
- Lead a semester-long weekly study group on security affairs
- Participate in working groups associated with the Belfer Center for for Science and International Affairs and other research centers at Harvard, including the
- Institute of Politics
- Center for Public Leadership
- Weatherhead Center for International Affairs at Harvard
- Security studies programs at the Fletcher School and MIT
Unique Advantages
As a National Security Fellow, you will have access to top scholars and practitioners, including senior visitors to the Belfer Center’s Intelligence and Defense Projects. You’ll sit in classes with graduate students from the US and the international community, many of whom will become leaders in their own arenas: since 1970, Harvard Kennedy School has graduated 17 heads of state. You will become part of a network of 700 National Security Fellows alumni/ae, distinguished professionals who have participated in the fellowship since its inception in 1984.
Life at Harvard
Boston is a great place to bring a family. The area is rich in our nation’s history, and there are events, museums, and attractions for every interest.
Featured People
Class of 2021
Class of 2020
Papers will be added here.
Contact
For questions on the National Security Fellows program, please contact Bill Rapp at 617-998-1565 or by email at william_rapp@hks.harvard.edu