APPLY: Korean Peninsula Specialist Program 2026-2027

Accepting Applications:
Next-Generation Korean Peninsula Specialists Program

Application Submission Period: Monday, June 1, 2026 – Sunday, June 28, 2026

The National Committee on American Foreign Policy’s (NCAFP) Forum on Asia-Pacific Security (FAPS) is accepting applications from qualified individuals to join an Emerging Leaders workshop and mentorship program focused on security issues related to the Korean Peninsula.

The project will showcase the new ideas and work of selected participants surrounding the following themes: the changing balance of power in the region, the future of multilateral architecture (with special focus given to either/and Japan or the United States), the nexus of economic and security policies, how to address North Korea’s nuclear challenge, and transnational issues. 

What You’ll Gain

• One-on-one mentorship with a senior-level policy expert
• Advanced training in policy writing and public communication
• Network of rising experts on the Korean Peninsula
• In-person conference and workshops in New York City
• Publication in a professionally edited policy volume
• Publication of a podcast episode with Director Susan Thornton

Qualifications and Expectations

Preferred applicants are Ph.D. candidates, junior researchers, and project management professionals with less than 10 years of experience on security issues related to the Korean Peninsula, who are well poised to influence the policy planning process in the future.

Participants must commit to the following:

• Attending all virtual meetings and workshops (7 virtual roundtables, 2 mentor sessions)
• Traveling to NYC for a 2-day in-person conference in early December 2026
• Completing a publishable policy paper aligned with their selected topic
• Recording a podcast episode on the policy paper’s topic

*Please note that, depending on the participant’s nationality, the participant may need to apply for a visa to visit the U.S. and attend the in-person part of the program. The NCAFP cannot guarantee the participant’s obtainment of a visa.

How to Apply:

All materials must be submitted through the official form by attaching the following items:

• Resume/CV  
• One-page letter of interest, explaining your goals for the program and relevance of your background
• Short bio, no more than 300 words 
• A well-developed one-page prospectus of the research topic related to security issues in the Indo-Pacific, on which the participant will develop policy recommendations. Preference will be given to policy-relevant topics related to the Korean Peninsula and/or Korea’s role in the regional security architecture. 

***Incomplete applications will not be reviewed*** 

Optional additional materials include: 

• A letter of recommendation from a peer or professional colleague 
• A writing sample, no more than 5 pages

Questions or needing assistance with submitting your application? Contact Emily Sparkman, Deputy Director of the Forum on Asia-Pacific Security program at contact@ncafp.org.