George C. Marshall Fellowship 2026: Develop Grand Strategy Skills and Advance U.S. National Security Leadership

Introduction: A Premier Fellowship in Grand Strategy and Strategic Leadership

The George C. Marshall Fellowship is a prestigious leadership development program offered by The Heritage Foundation. Designed for exceptional conservative professionals early in their careers, this fellowship provides a comprehensive foundation in grand strategy theory and practice, strategic leadership, and the integration of national power instruments to advance U.S. national security interests.

Inspired by the legacy of George C. Marshall, the program equips fellows with the intellectual framework and practical tools needed to address complex global challenges while preserving the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense.

The 2025 George C. Marshall Fellowship is structured as an immersive, multi-month experience combining expert-led discussions, hands-on workshops, historical analysis, and real-world strategic exercises.

About the George C. Marshall Fellowship

Mission

The mission of the George C. Marshall Fellows program is to provide exceptional conservative professionals with the opportunity to:

• Apply the principles of grand strategy.

• Integrate all instruments of national power (diplomatic, informational, military, and economic).

• Develop practical approaches to achieving U.S. national security objectives.

• Strengthen leadership capabilities grounded in conservative policy principles.

Vision

The program offers a comprehensive overview of grand strategy theory and its practical application to today’s global challenges. It is designed for individuals early in their careers who are likely to take on significant responsibilities in advancing U.S. national security.

Participants gain:

• Exposure to leading national security experts.

• Practical insights into defense and foreign policy.

• A structured understanding of geopolitical threats.

• Real-world exercises simulating strategic decision-making.

The fellowship emphasizes both theoretical depth and applied leadership training, ensuring participants leave with actionable knowledge.

2026 George C. Marshall Fellowship Program Schedule

The 2026 cohort follows a structured curriculum running from April through September.

Program Launch

April 30 (5 p.m.–7 p.m.)
Dinner and discussion with a guest speaker.
This opening session introduces fellows to the program’s intellectual framework and sets expectations for the months ahead.

Defense Budget 101

May 14 (5 p.m.–7 p.m.)
Practical briefing and workshop on the Defense Budget.

This session provides an in-depth understanding of:

• The U.S. defense budgeting process.

• Strategic resource allocation.

• Budget priorities and trade-offs.

• How funding decisions reflect national strategy.

Participants engage in hands-on analysis to connect policy objectives with fiscal realities.

Gettysburg Staff Ride

May 29 (All Day)
Day trip, lunch, and battlefield tour in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

This immersive historical experience at Gettysburg Battlefield allows fellows to:

• Study strategic decision-making in historical context.

• Analyze leadership under pressure.

• Evaluate operational successes and failures.

• Draw modern lessons from Civil War strategy.

Staff rides are a traditional military leadership development tool, reinforcing critical thinking and situational analysis.

Module 2: Deterring China

June 11 (5 p.m.–7 p.m.)
Dinner and discussion with a guest speaker.

June 25 (5 p.m.–7 p.m.)
Practical exercise.

This module focuses on:

• The strategic challenge posed by China.

• Deterrence theory and application.

• Military, economic, and diplomatic tools.

• Scenario-based strategic exercises.

Fellows examine current geopolitical tensions and develop policy recommendations within a structured framework.

Module 3: Hemispheric Security

July 9 (5 p.m.–7 p.m.)
Dinner and discussion with a guest speaker.

July 23 (5 p.m.–7 p.m.)
Dinner and panel discussion.

This module addresses:

• Western Hemisphere security dynamics.

• U.S. relations with regional partners.

• Emerging threats in the Americas.

• Strategic coordination across institutions.

Participants engage with policy experts and panelists to explore multidimensional security challenges.

Program Graduation

September 10 (Time and location TBD)
Dinner and happy hour.

The program concludes with a formal graduation event recognizing fellows’ achievements and fostering long-term professional networks.

Why Apply for the George C. Marshall Fellowship?

The fellowship provides:

• Advanced training in grand strategy.

• Direct engagement with national security experts.

• Applied policy workshops.

• Leadership development grounded in conservative principles.

• Networking with peers committed to advancing U.S. national security.

• Exposure to real-world policy analysis and strategic planning.

• A prestigious credential associated with The Heritage Foundation.

This is not merely a lecture series. It is an immersive strategic leadership development experience.

Application Process

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply through the official application portal.

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