Please read the candidate profile course description prior to completing your application.

Civilian applicants (Government and non-government): Applicants must have a minimum of a four-year university or college degree or equivalent work experience in lieu of a four-year degree. Exceptions will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. All application forms and supporting documents must be submitted at the same time and sent directly to CHDS.

Military/Defense Force applicants: Must be graduates of a Command and General Staff College (CGSC) or equivalent program. Exceptions will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis taking into consideration professional experience in public/military/policy service. Forms must be submitted through the Military Group at the US Embassy in the respective countries.

This course will be conducted in English. Claims of proficiency in English, if this is other than your native language, will be verified. An interview and/or language test may be required.

Guidance for the required personal statement, letters of recommendation, work statement, and curriculum vitae and/or resume appear bellow.

Scholarships
Scholarships are offered to candidates from Caribbean or Latin American countries. Individuals selected to attend are eligible for a fully-funded scholarship (CHDS covers all course-related expenses i.e., roundtrip air travel, hotel accommodations, per diem and tuition). Candidates from countries outside the Western Hemisphere should contact the registrar’s office prior to completing the application to verify fellowship eligibility. All candidates from Canada and the United States must coordinate to pay all their own expenses. There are no exceptions to this requirement. Please direct all inquiries to the registrar at chdsregistrar@ndu.edu.

Application Documents
Please submit the following documents:

A. Application Form

B. Personal statement (Mandatory):
Attach a personal statement of approximately 500 words (i.e., two typed pages double-spaced) that 1) Describes the specific background you will bring to this course.
2) Explains what you will contribute to the course, and 3) explains how you will use the experience for your personal benefit and the benefit of your organization and country. Explicitly state career goals or plans, especially research, teaching, public service, political participation, etc.

C. Letters of Recommendations (Mandatory):
The importance of the letters of recommendation cannot be overstated. They are often used to determine the final Fellow selections when a limited number of qualified candidates of similar backgrounds must be selected from a large applicant pool. Ensure that they are substantive and address the points stressed below.
Provide a minimum of two letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation must appear on letterhead paper and the signature must be visible (important for applications submitted via e-mail). One must be from your supervisor or the head of the organization for which you work. This relationship should be identified in the letter. Heads of organizations for whom no supervisor exists should seek letters from individuals from the defense or security sectors.

The individuals writing the recommendations must describe what they believe you will contribute to the course and the specific anticipated benefits to you and your organization resulting from your participation in this program.

NOTE: Letters of Recommendation must be prepared for each individual. Letters of Recommendation for groups of people will not be considered.

D. Curriculum Vitae and/or Resume (Mandatory)
Submit a current Curriculum Vitae and/or Resume with your application. Please include your education history with your curriculum vitae.

E. Work Statement (Mandatory)
Submit a work statement verifying your current employment status.

F. Other Documents
Any other documents which may strengthen your application may be submitted up to a maximum of 10 pages. Do not submit book, magazines, CD’s or other electronic media.

Selection Process
All completed applications received during the application period (September 8 – December 18, 2009) will be reviewed by three members the Academic Selection Committee. Please review the Selection Process and Notification Process sections of this website for additional details.

Application forms and required documents may be e-mailed to chdsregistrar@ndu.edu or faxed to the CHDS Registrar at 1-202-478-2153, or mailed to the address below:

Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies
ATTN: Registrar
National Defense University
260 5th Avenue, Bldg 64
Washington, DC 20319-5066

All applications received in the Registrar’s office will be acknowledged via e-mail. If receipt of your application has not been confirmed within 5 working days, please contact the Registrar’s Office.