Call for Applications
Fall 2026 Cohorts Now Accepting Applications
The James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS) invites applications for its internationally recognized Visiting Fellows Program — one of the world’s premier professional training programs dedicated exclusively to weapons of mass destruction (WMD) nonproliferation, arms control, disarmament, nuclear security, and related international security challenges.
Since its establishment in 1991, the Program has trained more than 380 emerging leaders from over 30 countries, including diplomats, researchers, scientists, journalists, academics, and government officials. Originally focused on practitioners from the Newly Independent States of the former Soviet Union, the Program has expanded over the past three decades to include participants from East Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, the Black Sea region, and Europe.
Today, CNS Visiting Fellows serve in senior government positions, international organizations, academic institutions, and policy research centers around the globe. Many represent their countries at high-level international nonproliferation and nuclear security negotiations, while others contribute to national capacity-building through education, research, and professional training initiatives. Fellows also become part of an influential global network of practitioners and scholars — informally known among alumni as the “MIIS mafia.”
Spring 2023 fellows with program director Jean du Preez.
Program Objectives
The Visiting Fellows Program provides intensive, interdisciplinary training for junior and mid-career professionals working in:
- Foreign ministries and government agencies
- Export control and regulatory bodies
- Research institutes and universities
- Journalism and policy analysis
- International security and public safety sectors
The Program is designed to deepen participants’ understanding of the international nonproliferation and disarmament regime, including the legal, political, regional, technical, and scientific dimensions of WMD-related issues.
Through a combination of seminars, simulations, research projects, and interaction with leading international experts, Fellows develop the analytical and practical skills needed to contribute effectively to arms control, nonproliferation, and international security policymaking in their home countries and internationally.
Fall 2015 fellows from Egypt, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Mali proudly display their program completion certificates.
About the Program
The Visiting Fellows Program is offered twice annually and runs for approximately 3 1/2 months:
- Spring Session: Early February – Mid-May
- Fall Session: Early September – Mid-December
The Program is hosted at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey, California. Participants learn directly from leading U.S. and international experts in fields including international relations, political science, history, nuclear science, biological and chemical security, and emerging technologies.
The curriculum includes:
- Expert-led lectures and seminars
- Small-group policy discussions
- Applied research projects with CNS advisors
- Arms control and negotiation simulations
- Exposure to real-world nonproliferation policy processes
- Opportunities to audit selected graduate-level courses at the Middlebury Institute
A cornerstone of the Program is experiential learning. Fellows participate in realistic negotiation and crisis simulations, including a semester-long arms control negotiation exercise during the Fall session.
Fall 2019 Fellows from China, Ukraine, Serbia and Costa Rica with Visiting Fellows program director Jean du Preez and Ms. Margarita Kalinina-Pohl, CNS program director for CBRN security
Program Structure
- Offered twice annually in Monterey, California
- Small-group format with a maximum of four participants per session
- Fellows receive certificates upon successful completion of the Program and research presentation
Financial Support
A limited number of qualified participants will receive full financial support covering:
- Tuition fees
- Housing
- Health insurance
- Daily living expenses
Additional qualified candidates may be admitted on a self-funded basis, depending on available space.
Who Should Apply?
CNS welcomes applications from qualified candidates from emerging and developing countries, including:
- Researchers, scientists, and engineers
- Doctoral and post-doctoral scholars
- University professors and instructors
- Diplomats and government officials
- Experts from think tanks, NGOs, and industry
- Other professionals working on international security-related issues
Fall 2021 fellows from Bulgaria, Japan and Ukraine with CNS founding Director, Prof William Potter and Visiting Fellows program manager Mr Jean du Preez
Apply to the CNS Visiting Fellows Program
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants should:
- Demonstrate professional interest or experience in WMD nonproliferation, nuclear, biological, or chemical security, arms control, disarmament, or related fields
- Possess strong written and spoken English skills
- Be eligible to obtain a U.S. J-1 visa
Application Deadline
Applications are now being accepted for the Fall 2026 Visiting Fellows Program.
- Application Deadline: 30 June 2026
- Program Dates: September – December 2026
CNS also welcomes expressions of interest for the Spring 2027 session.
Application Materials
Interested candidates should submit the following materials by email to the Program Director:
- Current résumé/CV
- At least one letter of recommendation from a supervisor, mentor, or academic advisor
- A brief statement of purpose (approximately 500 words) describing:
- Professional experience and interests
- Relevance of the fellowship to career goals
- Preferred session for participation
- A brief explanation of financial need and funding motivation
Contact Information
For additional information about the CNS Visiting Fellows Program, please contact:
Jean du Preez
Program Director for Education and Training
James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies
Email: [email protected]
