Apply Now for the Spring 2026 Marcellus Policy Fellowship: A Premier Pathway for Emerging U.S. Foreign Policy Leaders – Opportunities for Youth

The John Quincy Adams Society has formally opened functions for its Spring 2026 cohort of the Marcellus Policy Fellowship—considered one of the most revered coaching alternatives for rising professionals excited by shaping the way forward for U.S. overseas coverage. This absolutely distant, talent-constructing fellowship provides rising thinkers the data, mentorship, and sensible writing expertise wanted to excel in right now’s extremely aggressive nationwide safety and overseas coverage panorama.

A Distinguished Fellowship Inspired by a Historic Legacy

The Marcellus Policy Fellowship attracts its inspiration from the early profession of John Quincy Adams. In 1793, the younger Adams wrote a sequence of influential essays underneath the pseudonym “Marcellus,” arguing for American neutrality in the escalating battle between France and Great Britain. His considerate positions caught the consideration of President George Washington, who appointed him U.S. ambassador to the Netherlands the following yr. These writings helped form foundational ideas of American statecraft.

In that very same custom, the Marcellus Policy Fellowship equips the subsequent technology of overseas coverage leaders with the mental grounding and analytical abilities essential to affect U.S. nationwide safety coverage in the twenty-first century. Fellows look at complicated world challenges, debate prudent overseas coverage approaches, and develop the form of cogent, proof-primarily based arguments that characterised Adams’ early work.

What the Fellowship Offers

Over a number of months, individuals interact in an intensive, structured program designed to deepen their understanding of overseas coverage whereas sharpening their writing and analytical capabilities. Fellows produce a complete coverage paper, a elegant coverage memorandum, and a publishable op-ed, all underneath skilled steerage. These writing samples usually change into important instruments for advancing careers in authorities, suppose tanks, journalism, academia, and different coverage-oriented fields.

Sessions happen by way of Zoom on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7–8 PM Eastern Time, making the program accessible to individuals throughout totally different places. Each cohort consists of 8–12 Fellows, permitting for shut mentorship, individualized suggestions, and rigorous dialogue.

Graduates constantly report that the Fellowship strengthens their competitiveness for internships, full-time positions, and graduate applications associated to U.S. overseas coverage and nationwide safety.

Eligibility and Stipend

The Spring 2026 cohort is open to:

• Current undergraduate college students
• Current graduate college students
• Individuals with 0–2 years {of professional} expertise in overseas coverage

Importantly, internships—together with paid internships—don’t depend towards the two-yr expertise restrict. Experience in different fields just isn’t counted, and solely the proportion of labor straight associated to overseas coverage is taken into account for hybrid roles. Military service solely counts when duties closely contain overseas coverage experience.

The Fellowship welcomes candidates pursuing or desiring to pursue careers in authorities, media, academia, public coverage, suppose tanks, advocacy, and associated sectors. U.S. citizenship just isn’t required.

All chosen Fellows obtain a $750 stipend upon completion of the program.

Why the Marcellus Policy Fellowship Matters

In right now’s quick-altering world atmosphere, the United States faces complicated challenges—from shifting nice-energy dynamics to rising applied sciences and evolving safety threats. Addressing these points requires knowledgeable professionals able to assessing dangers, crafting strategic arguments, and articulating sensible coverage options.

The Marcellus Policy Fellowship is designed to domesticate exactly these skills. Participants acquire:

• Deep publicity to key overseas coverage debates
• Hands-on expertise producing skilled coverage paperwork
• Mentorship from seasoned overseas coverage consultants
• Strengthened credentials for aggressive coverage careers
• A lasting community of friends dedicated to principled, knowledgeable overseas coverage considering

Explore Past Work

Applicants excited by understanding the caliber of labor produced by Fellows can evaluation coverage analyses from earlier cohorts, together with Fall 2025, Spring 2025, Fall 2024, Spring 2024, and earlier years courting again to 2020. These publications showcase the breadth of analysis subjects and the rigorous coverage considering the Fellowship encourages.

Apply Now for the Spring 2026 Cohort

Applications are open now by means of 5 PM EST on January 16. Those excited by growing sturdy analytical abilities, enhancing their coverage writing, and contributing meaningfully to the nationwide overseas coverage dialog are strongly inspired to apply.

APPLY HERE

The Spring 2026 Marcellus Policy Fellowship represents a uncommon alternative to construct the experience and strategic perception mandatory for a profitable profession in U.S. overseas coverage. If you’re dedicated to influencing America’s function in the world, this program provides the perfect basis to start that journey.

 

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