Herbert Scoville Peace Fellowship 2025/2026, USA

Looking for an opportunity to build a meaningful career in peace, security, or policy? The Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship offers that chance. This six-to-nine month full-time fellowship in Washington, DC is ideal for recent graduates who want hands-on experience in nonprofit or public interest organizations dealing with some of the world’s most pressing peace and security issues.

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know: what the fellowship is, how it works, the benefits, who can apply, how to apply, deadlines, and tips to make a strong application.

What is the Scoville Peace Fellowship?

The Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship was founded in 1987 to honor Dr. Herbert “Pete” Scoville Jr., a scientist and public servant deeply involved in arms control and nuclear nonproliferation. It’s a national‐level fellowship in the United States, designed to bridge the gap between academic study and careers in peace and security policy. Fellows are placed in nonprofit, public‐interest think tanks or advocacy organizations in Washington, D.C., where they work full time, learning the ropes of policy research, advocacy, writing, analysis, and communication.

What Fellowship Projects Focus On: Issue Areas

Scoville Fellows typically work in one or more of the following issue areas:

  1. Nuclear Nonproliferation & WMD (Weapons of Mass Destruction) – e.g. arms control, chemical/biological weapon threats.

  2. Climate & Security Nexus – how environmental change, resource pressures, and disasters interact with security.

  3. Peacebuilding & Conflict Resolution – refugee crises, dispute mediation, institution building, atrocity prevention.

  4. Emerging Technology Threats – cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, drones, space security, etc.

  5. Global Health Security – pandemics, biosecurity, health policy in emergencies.

Benefits of the Scoville Peace Fellowship

The fellowship is structured not only to give participants financial support, but also to provide professional growth, mentorship, and a launchpad for long-term careers in peace and security. Here’s a breakdown of what fellows gain:

1. Financial Support

  • Monthly Salary/Stipend: Fellows receive a living stipend of approximately $4,079 per month (subject to annual adjustment).

  • Health Insurance: Comprehensive coverage provided for the fellowship period.

  • Travel Allowance: Full funding for round-trip travel to Washington, DC, at the start and end of the fellowship.

  • Professional Development Fund: An additional $1,000 allowance to be used for skill development, such as attending policy workshops, conferences, language courses, or specialized training sessions.

2. Professional Placement

  • Fellows are matched with leading nonprofit think tanks and advocacy organizations in Washington, DC.

  • Host organizations include experts working on nuclear disarmament, arms control, peacebuilding, cybersecurity, climate change and security, refugee protection, and more.

  • Fellows work full-time (6–9 months) on meaningful projects, such as:

    • Drafting policy memos and reports.

    • Conducting in-depth research on pressing security challenges.

    • Organizing briefings and attending congressional hearings.

    • Engaging in advocacy, outreach, and coalition-building.

3. Mentorship and Training

  • Each fellow is assigned a mentor from the Board of Directors and a former Scoville Fellow for personalized career guidance.

  • Access to seminars, workshops, and lectures with top policymakers, NGO leaders, and academics.

  • Structured feedback to help develop writing, analysis, and advocacy skills.

4. Networking Opportunities

  • Fellows build long-lasting connections with policy experts, NGO leaders, U.S. government officials, and international organizations.

  • The Scoville Alumni Network provides a powerful community for career advancement; many alumni have gone on to positions in the UN, State Department, Congress, research think tanks, and global NGOs.

5. Career Growth

  • Past fellows report that the fellowship accelerated their careers by providing credibility, visibility, and entry points into policy and research organizations.

  • Exposure to the inner workings of policymaking in Washington, DC, equips fellows with practical experience beyond academia.

Features of the Fellowship

Here are the standout features that make the Scoville Peace Fellowship unique among global opportunities:

  • Location: Washington, DC — the heart of U.S. policymaking and international advocacy.

  • Focus Areas:

    • Nuclear nonproliferation & disarmament.

    • Emerging technology & security (AI, cybersecurity, drones, space).

    • Climate change and global security.

    • Refugee and migration issues.

    • Global health and biosecurity.

    • Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding.

  • Program Duration: 6 to 9 months (two cycles each year — Fall and Spring).

  • Cohort Size: ~5–6 fellows are selected per cycle, making it highly competitive and prestigious.

  • Host Organizations: Fellows are placed with more than 25 partner NGOs and think tanks. Examples include: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Brookings Institution, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI), and many others.

  • Work Style: Fellows are treated as junior staff, not interns. They contribute to real projects that influence debates and policies at the highest levels.

Eligibility Criteria

To ensure the fellowship attracts the most qualified and passionate candidates, applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Educational Qualifications

  • Must have completed at least a bachelor’s degree (undergraduate).

  • Recent college graduates or graduate students (Master’s/PhD level) are welcome to apply.

  • Applicants must demonstrate strong academic performance, typically a GPA of 3.5/4.0 or equivalent.

2. Field of Interest

  • Applicants must show a deep and genuine interest in issues related to:

    • Peace and conflict resolution.

    • Nuclear disarmament, arms control, and WMD policy.

    • Humanitarian policy, refugee protection, and global security.

    • Environmental security and climate change.

    • Cybersecurity and emerging global threats.

3. Professional and Extracurricular Experience

  • Evidence of public-interest activism or advocacy (campus organizations, NGOs, volunteer work, public campaigns, research projects, or student leadership roles).

  • Strong writing, analytical, and communication skills.

  • Preference is given to candidates who have already engaged in policy, research, or advocacy work, even at the student level.

4. Citizenship and Residency

  • Open primarily to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.

  • Non-U.S. citizens may apply if they reside in the U.S. and hold a work visa for the duration of the fellowship.

  • Applicants living outside the U.S. without work authorization are not eligible.

5. Personal Attributes

  • Strong commitment to building a career in peace and security policy.

  • Ability to work independently and adapt quickly in a professional policy environment.

  • Demonstrated leadership, initiative, and interest in international affairs.

How to Apply

Here is a breakdown of the application process:

Review Participating Organizations

  • Visit the Scoville website to see the list of host organizations. Choose 5-6 organizations whose work aligns with your interests.

Prepare Application Materials

You’ll need to have:

  • Curriculum vitae (CV) (max ~2 pages).

  • Personal essay (~750 words) discussing your qualifications, interest in peace/security, career goals.

  • Policy/opinion essay (~750 words) on a timely issue in one of the allowed focus areas (e.g., “What is the greatest emerging threat to international peace & security and why?”) and propose solutions.

  • Official academic transcripts (undergrad + graduate if applicable).

  • Two letters of recommendation from people who can assess your academic, communication, and leadership potential.

  • List of references for organizations you’d prefer to work with.

Submit Online

Deadlines & Start Dates

  • The Spring 2026 Fellowship deadline is October 20, 2025; the fellowship starts between January 15 and April 1, 2026.

  • The Fall 2026 Fellowship deadline is January 9 or 15, 2026 (check specific year) with start dates between July 15 and October 1, 2026.

Selection Process

  • Applications are initially screened for eligibility and completeness.

  • Top candidates are invited to interviews (typically via Zoom).

  • Final selections are made by the fellowship’s Board of Directors.

Click here for more scholarship information

What to Expect During the Fellowship

Once selected, a Scoville Fellow will:

  • Work full-time for 6-9 months in Washington, DC, at one of the host nonprofit/public interest organizations.

  • Engage in research, writing, advocacy, organizing, or policy analysis depending on host organization’s mission.

  • Participate in seminars, policy briefings, coalition meetings, expert rounds and networking settings.

  • Receive mentorship from a board member and a former fellow.

  • Use a small development fund for professional growth such as attending conferences or policy training.

Why Apply

  • Professional Experience & Skills: Work in a policy, advocacy, or think-tank environment: writing policy briefs, research, public speaking, etc.

  • Networking: Access to experts, senior professionals, and an alumni network that can be vital for future careers.

  • Career Advancement: Many past fellows go on to significant roles in NGOs, government, academia, or international institutions.

  • Credibility & Visibility: The Scoville Fellowship is prestigious; being selected signals seriousness about peace/security work.

Important Information & Tips

  • Apply early: Prepare your essays, secure recommendation letters, and pick host organizations well before the deadline.

  • Tailor your essays: Especially the policy/opinion essay. Choose an issue you care about, demonstrate awareness of current debates, and propose realistic solutions.

  • Show activism or public-interest involvement: Even smaller scale works (student clubs, volunteering, writing) count.

  • Proofread carefully: Spelling, grammar, structure, and argument clarity matter.

  • Pick host organizations wisely: Look at their recent work, see whether their mission aligns with your interest area. That makes your placement more meaningful.

  • Be ready for interviews: Know your essays well, be able to discuss current issues in peace and security.

Conclusion

The Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship 2025/2026 is a strong stepping stone into the world of policy, advocacy, and international security. For recent grads who are passionate about making a difference, it offers real work experience, mentorship, networking, and visibility. If this sounds like your path, take the time to prepare well, submit a polished application, and seize this chance to build momentum in your career.

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