APPLY: Korean Peninsula Specialist Program 2026-2027
Applications Open June 1, 2026:
Next-Generation Korean Peninsula Specialists Program
Application Submission Period: Monday, June 1, 2026 – Monday, June 22, 2026
The National Committee on American Foreign Policy’s (NCAFP) Forum on Asia-Pacific Security (FAPS) will soon start accepting applications from qualified individuals to join an Emerging Leaders workshop and mentorship program focused on security issues related to the Korean Peninsula.
The program is designed to help emerging academics translate their research ideas into policy recommendations and to develop public communications skills. Applicants’ research proposals should focus on topics with relevant policy implications. In addition to peer workshops and skills training, each participant will be matched with a mentor from the NCAFP’s network of senior-level former policymakers to further inform the development of the final products—a short policy paper and podcast presentation.
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
- 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.
Application Materials:
All materials must be submitted through the official form when applications open. Attach the following items to the form:
- 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? Contact Emily Sparkman, Deputy Director of the Forum on Asia-Pacific Security program at contact@ncafp.org.