National Security Scholars – Launch Year

The National Security Policy Center is running a National Security Scholars pilot program for academic year 2026-2027. Twenty-five students who have met the prerequisite requirements have been invited to participate. The pilot is a 1-year program beginning Fall 2026 and ending Spring 2027.

We anticipate open enrollment to begin in Fall 2027. More information will be available in Summer 2027.

Program completion involves both coursework and programmatic requirements.

Coursework

Pre-requisite for pilot: Invited students have completed I4D or an approved internship

Undergraduate Students: All Majors/Minors must complete 2 courses in addition to their prerequisite

Batten Master of Public Policy Students: Must complete 1 course in addition to their prerequisite

*Note that completion of an approved national security internship counts as one course and courses/internships completed before Fall 2026 will count towards the requirement.

Approved Courses Fall 2026

LPPP 3559: The Soldier, The Citizen & the State (Dalton)

LPPS 3040: US National Security Policy (Stam)

LPPS 3045: Leadership in US Diplomacy (Zimmerman)

LPPS 3095: Human Security (Stam)

LPPS 3240: Terrorism and Counterterrorism (Moy)

LPPS 3340: Innovating for Defense (Robinson)

LPPS 5045: Humanitarian Diplomacy (Zimmerman)

LPPS 7050: Elements of Statecraft (Robinson)

LPPS 7250: National Security Leadership & Policy: Afghanistan (Moy)

LPPP 7559: Geopolitical Underpinnings of Foreign Policy (DeLozier)

Sample Classes Approved for Spring 2027

*Official list will be updated when class schedules are posted

LPPS 3040: US National Security Policy (Stam)

LPPS 3240: Terrorism and Counterterrorism (Moy)

LPPP 4991: Designing Human Security Policy (Stam)

LPPP 4991: Humanitarian Diplomacy (Zimmerman)

LPPP 5559: Global Disaster and Conflict (Gelsdorf)

LPPP 5559: Conflict Resolution: Tools for Dialogue & Change (Diaz)

LPPP 7630: Fundamentals of International Political Analysis (DeLozier)

LPPS 7184: Innovating for Defense (Robinson)

LPPS 7310: Geopolitical Underpinnings of Foreign Policy (DeLozier)

Programming

All participating students must earn a total of 9 programming points throughout the 2026-27 academic year. Qualifying programs and their point equivalency are determined by the NSPC. This can include attending NSPC-sponsored events, presenting at conferences, attending conversation lunches, and engaging in other NSPC-approved activities.

Qualifying Programs (9 total points required)

NSPC/national security Batten hour – 1 point

Conversation Lunches – 1 point each

NSPC programming (simulations, talks, etc) – 1 point each

IC Career Week events – 1 point each

Miller Center programming – 1 point each

Research Presentations – 3 points

Conference attendance – 3 points

NSPC/NSDPI student researcher – 3 points

Practitioner Mentor engagement – 3 points

Other (not listed) – Must be approved IN ADVANCE by NSPC administrators

Questions

For any questions about the National Security Scholars program, please fill out the contact form below, including “National Security Scholars” in the subject line.