PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — The Carnegie Corporation of New York has awarded $1 million to Brown University’s Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs to establish a military fellows program.

The 24-month program, which will open in September 2019, will bring to Brown up to eight mid-level military officers from across the country who plan to serve in policy-related positions later in their careers.

Two cohorts of fellows will each spend a year auditing graduate-level courses, engaging in security-related seminars and participating in a security research working group with faculty and students. Each fellow will cap off the yearlong experience with a written policy analysis focused on a security issue of their choice.

According to Ed Steinfeld, director of the Watson Institute, the program presents a key opportunity to build bridges between the U.S. military and the academic world.

“For scholars, a key part of developing sound security-related research involves engaging directly with military personnel who have firsthand experience in challenging security environments,” Steinfeld said. “And for the Brown community as a whole, it’s important to better understand this aspect of public service.”

The Watson Institute plans to issue a call for applications to the fellows program later this spring. The first cohort of fellows will start at Brown in September.