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

The John Quincy Adams Society has officially opened applications for its Spring 2026 cohort of the Marcellus Policy Fellowship—one of the most respected training opportunities for rising professionals interested in shaping the future of U.S. foreign policy. This fully remote, skill-building fellowship offers emerging thinkers the knowledge, mentorship, and practical writing experience needed to excel in today’s highly competitive national security and foreign policy landscape.

A Distinguished Fellowship Inspired by a Historic Legacy

The Marcellus Policy Fellowship draws its inspiration from the early career of John Quincy Adams. In 1793, the young Adams wrote a series of influential essays under the pseudonym “Marcellus,” arguing for American neutrality in the escalating conflict between France and Great Britain. His thoughtful positions caught the attention of President George Washington, who appointed him U.S. ambassador to the Netherlands the following year. These writings helped shape foundational principles of American statecraft.

In that same tradition, the Marcellus Policy Fellowship equips the next generation of foreign policy leaders with the intellectual grounding and analytical skills necessary to influence U.S. national security policy in the twenty-first century. Fellows examine complex global challenges, debate prudent foreign policy approaches, and develop the kind of cogent, evidence-based arguments that characterized Adams’ early work.

What the Fellowship Offers

Over several months, participants engage in an intensive, structured program designed to deepen their understanding of foreign policy while sharpening their writing and analytical capabilities. Fellows produce a comprehensive policy paper, a polished policy memorandum, and a publishable op-ed, all under expert guidance. These writing samples often become essential tools for advancing careers in government, think tanks, journalism, academia, and other policy-oriented fields.

Sessions take place via Zoom on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7–8 PM Eastern Time, making the program accessible to participants across different locations. Each cohort includes 8–12 Fellows, allowing for close mentorship, individualized feedback, and rigorous discussion.

Graduates consistently report that the Fellowship strengthens their competitiveness for internships, full-time positions, and graduate programs related to U.S. foreign policy and national security.

Eligibility and Stipend

The Spring 2026 cohort is open to:

• Current undergraduate students

• Current graduate students

• Individuals with 0–2 years of professional experience in foreign policy

Importantly, internships—including paid internships—do not count toward the two-year experience limit. Experience in other fields is not counted, and only the proportion of work directly related to foreign policy is considered for hybrid roles. Military service only counts when duties heavily involve foreign policy expertise.

The Fellowship welcomes applicants pursuing or intending to pursue careers in government, media, academia, public policy, think tanks, advocacy, and related sectors. U.S. citizenship is not required.

All selected Fellows receive a $750 stipend upon completion of the program.

Why the Marcellus Policy Fellowship Matters

In today’s fast-changing global environment, the United States faces complex challenges—from shifting great-power dynamics to emerging technologies and evolving security threats. Addressing these issues requires informed professionals capable of assessing risks, crafting strategic arguments, and articulating practical policy solutions.

The Marcellus Policy Fellowship is designed to cultivate precisely these abilities. Participants gain:

• Deep exposure to key foreign policy debates

• Hands-on experience producing professional policy documents

• Mentorship from seasoned foreign policy experts

• Strengthened credentials for competitive policy careers

• A lasting network of peers committed to principled, informed foreign policy thinking

Explore Past Work

Applicants interested in understanding the caliber of work produced by Fellows can review policy analyses from previous cohorts, including Fall 2025, Spring 2025, Fall 2024, Spring 2024, and earlier years dating back to 2020. These publications showcase the breadth of research topics and the rigorous policy thinking the Fellowship encourages.

Apply Now for the Spring 2026 Cohort

Applications are open now through 5 PM EST on January 16. Those interested in developing strong analytical skills, enhancing their policy writing, and contributing meaningfully to the national foreign policy conversation are strongly encouraged to apply.

APPLY HERE

The Spring 2026 Marcellus Policy Fellowship represents a rare opportunity to build the expertise and strategic insight necessary for a successful career in U.S. foreign policy. If you are committed to influencing America’s role in the world, this program offers the ideal foundation to begin that journey.