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Future Practitioner Education

Educating the next generation of practitioners is just as important as educating current practitioners. Developing and mentoring the successors of today's local, state, national, and international leaders is vital to the continued enhancement of our national security.

GNSI will work with our USF colleagues and partners to develop programs/initiatives focused on creating opportunities for students interested in pursuing a national security career.  These opportunities include:

New for 2026, the DC Experience promises to deliver a world-class experience! Over five intensive days, students interested in public services careers will immerse themselves into the heart of the U.S. national security enterprise:

• Visit key government agencies, national security institutions and leading think tanks
• Engage directly with practitioners and experts in the nation's capital
• Deepen their understanding of the national security landscape
• Build meaningful professional connections

Throughout the program, students will gain firsthand insight into how U.S. policy, strategy, and global engagements are shaped, broadening their perspectives on potential career paths and helping them identify future opportunities within the national security community.

Applications are now open! To apply for the DC Experience, you'll need to send us:

• Your CV or résumé
• Personal Statement (500-word max) explaining how the DC Experience fits with your educational and professional goals

Submit via email only to: GNSISubmissions@usf.edu
Deadline for applications is February 15, 2026.

 

We're proud to partner with The International Security and Intelligence Programme presented by the Cambridge Security Initiative & The Department of War Studies at King's College London at Emmanuel College at the University of Cambridge, in Cambridge, England.

Each year, we send students to Cambridge to study at the ISI Programme. This year's dates: July 5 through August 1.

The ISI Programme was created by and is currently chaired by Sir Richard Dearlove, former Chief of the British Secret Intelligence Service (aka MI6), the Cambridge Security Initiative (CSi) launched the International Security and Intelligence (ISI) Programme in 2016. The aim of this unique program is to provide participants with an opportunity to engage with leading academics and practitioners from the intelligence and security communities in the historic setting of one of the world’s foremost universities. Drawing on a wide-ranging experience of and research in the field, the program initially focuses on transatlantic intelligence and security perspectives, before moving on to explore broader global perspectives.

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Last year, two USF students – May Birch and Kyle Rudd – were the first to attend ISI. They wrote a student blog for us, chronicling their experience in Cambridge.

2026 APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN! This summer, we'll be sending up to four USF students to King's College London from July 5 through August 1. GNSI will take care of your flight to the UK, local train to and from Cambridge, lodging and some meals.

DEADLINE for applications is February 20, 2026. Selected students will be notified in mid-to-late March. 

If you're interested in applying, here's what you need to send to us:

• Your CV or résumé
• A personal statement (500-word max) explaining why you would like to participate in ISI 2026. Please focus your statement on professional or academic experiences and what you believe you'll gain from the program
• ISI research supervision proposal, including the subject area, title, brief description, relevant work and sources
• Unofficial transcript

Submit via email only to: GNSISubmissions@usf.edu
Deadline for applications is February 20, 2026.

Want to find out more about ISI? Please see  the  website.

For additional questions, please email Dr. David Oakley, GNSI Academic Director.

 

The GNSI Future Strategist Program is open to all USF students interested in a career in global and national security.  FSP will offer students opportunities with:

• engaging with security practitioners
• researching/publishing security topics
• participating in security related conferences, events and visits
• pursuing internships, fellowships and scholarships
• participating in the National Security Mentor Program that connects students with current or former practitioners to help the students identify opportunities and career paths

GNSI will provide opportunities to attend career panels and fairs to help students identify and pursure challenging career opportunities.

ºÚÁϱ¬ÁÏ will have a regular opportunity to showcase their knowledge, capabilities and skills of security-related topics and strategy during a team competition.

GNSI will support USF students interested in attending the prestigious program, located at Cambridge University in the U.K.