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National Security & Counterterrorism Fellowship

Five Eyes Nations

This yearlong fellowship brings together the most promising rising leaders engaged in national security and counterterrorism work in the Five Eyes partner nations. Each year, the McCain Institute selects a group of character-driven leaders as fellows — young women and men of extraordinary achievement and promise who have demonstrated their commitment to national security and public service. The program prepares these individuals for future leadership opportunities and builds a professional network that connects them in a meaningful and enduring way.

Executed in partnership with the Australian National University, the fellowship experience takes place over the course of a calendar year with three week-long visits to Five Eyes capitals: Washington, D.C. in the spring, London in the summer, and Canberra in the fall. Throughout their fellowship year, Fellows remain embedded within their full-time work at their respective agencies and organizations.

The NSCT Fellowship was designed by Nicholas Rasmussen, who has brought a wealth of national security expertise and networks to the program. Rasmussen currently serves as the Department of Homeland Security’s counterterrorism coordinator. He was previously the executive director of the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism (GIFCT). Prior to that, he was the director of the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) from 2014 – 2017 and a former White House senior counterterrorism official under Presidents Bush and Obama.

PROGRAM CONTENT

  • Meetings with senior leaders at key government agencies, such as the NCTC and State Department in Washington, the Home Office and Foreign Office in London and the Department of Home Affairs in Canberra
  • Briefings with top journalists who cover counterterrorism and national security issues in each country
  • Events with experts from academic research centers
  • Leadership and executive management training to include workshops with premier scholars and national security practitioners
  • Visits to New York City, Belfast and Sydney for meetings with local law enforcement and counterterrorism leaders (as well as discussions with former extremists now partnering with counterterrorism officials)
  • Collaboration with other fellows in identifying and evaluating opportunities for national security and counterterrorism cooperation across Five Eyes nations
  • Possible participation in signature McCain Institute and Arizona State University conferences


Please direct questions to [email protected].
Download the program PDF here.

National Security & Counterterrorism Fellows

Application Details

Eligibility

Young professionals (35 and under) with exemplary character and a record of leadership, distinction and achievement in national security and counterterrorism work.

Class Composition

Approximately 15 fellows from the countries that compose the Five Eyes intelligence partnership: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Expenses

Covered by the McCain Institute with contributions, when possible, from the fellow’s home organization towards travel costs.

Application

Submit resume/CV and 500 word statement of purpose through the application portal. The application window for the 2025 cohort is Monday, June 24 – Sunday, August 11, 2024.

Apply for the 2025 Cohort Here

FAQs

What is unique about the McCain CT fellowship program?
The McCain NSCT fellowship is unique because of its emphasis on educating and creating a lasting network of rising leaders in national security and CT in the Five Eyes partner nations. Other peer programs do not share this Five Eyes focus. The program’s substantive focus on extremism and counterterrorism issues also differentiates it from other “Next Gen” leader programs. As this set of problems will be a part of the national security landscape for the foreseeable future, it is essential that we identify and prepare our best young leaders to tackle these challenges.

Why the Five Eyes construct?
There is no closer or more critical relationship than that between the United States and its anglophone security and intelligence partners. The mass shooting at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand this year only reinforced the need for improved and more innovative collaboration across this alliance—particularly to address the transnational elements of far-right extremism.

Where will you draw your fellows from?
The fellows will come from both within and outside of government service in the Five Eyes. The fellows will fully reflect the diversity of background and experience that exists across the Five Eyes partner nations— women and men of distinction and exceptional character.

How will you select fellows?
The selection committee will seek to identify applicants who possess significant professional experience in the field, as well as exceptional personal qualities that would position them to excel as values- and character-based leaders of the next generation.

When does the program begin and end?
The fellowship will run from January to December of each calendar year.

How much travel does the fellowship require?
All fellows are required to travel to Washington, D.C., London, and Canberra for one week each over the course of the calendar year. Any other travel opportunities (to relevant conferences, e.g.) will be completely optional.

When will the trips to Washington, D.C., London and Canberra will take place?
The trips to Washington, London and Canberra will most likely take place in the winter, spring and fall, respectively. Accepted fellows will be notified of the exact dates at a later point.

What will fellows do between the international trips?
Fellows return to their full-time jobs to apply lessons learned at each module and have intermittent virtual and in-person engagements with their cohort and with the alumni network.

Are fellows able to work while participating in the program?
Yes! We fully encourage and expect fellows to continue working full-time.

How strict is the age limit?
“35 and under” is a guideline, not a requirement.

Do applicants need to be citizens of a Five Eyes country (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United States or the United Kingdom)?
Yes. Individuals from beyond the Five Eyes are not eligible at this point.

How many years of experience should applicants have?
The most competitive applicants will be mid-career, meaning that they will have had at least five years of experience working in national security and counterterrorism.