BPIA U.S. Foreign Affairs Leadership Project 

Preparing the People and Policy for the Future of U.S. Foreign Policy

Strong foreign policy requires more than good ideas. It requires people who know how to govern.

The BPIA U.S. Foreign Affairs Leadership Project is a selective initiative focused on strengthening the policy, talent, and governing capacity needed for the future of U.S. foreign policy.

The United States spends enormous energy debating what its foreign policy should be, but far less attention on whether we are preparing the people and institutions capable of carrying it out. The Project seeks to build a stronger governing bench of professionals prepared not only to contribute ideas, but to develop policy, manage institutions, navigate Congress and the interagency process, translate strategy into implementation, and serve effectively during periods of political and institutional transition.

Three Core Pillars of Project

Selected participants will contribute across three core pillars:

Policy & Implementation

Participants will help develop substantive recommendations for the future of U.S. foreign policy and consider how those recommendations could be translated into practical institutional, legislative, and executive action.

Talent & Leadership

The Project will identify and cultivate professionals with expertise, leadership potential, and an interest in future public service across the U.S. foreign affairs and national security apparatus.

Public Service Preparation

Participants will take part in seminars, practitioner engagements, simulations, and other activities designed to strengthen understanding of political appointments, agency management, congressional relations, the interagency process, federal decision-making, and policy implementation.

Who Should Apply

The Project is intended for U.S. citizens with demonstrated experience, expertise, or strong professional potential in areas such as:

• Foreign affairs and diplomacy
• National security and defense
• International development
• Economic statecraft and trade
• Congress and legislative affairs
• Federal government and public administration
• Governance and institutional reform
• Regional and functional policy expertise
• International organizations
• Related policy and public-service fields

Applicants may range from emerging professionals to senior practitioners, former public servants, scholars, policy experts, congressional professionals, and others interested in contributing to the future of U.S. foreign policy and public service.

What Participation May Include

Selected participants may contribute through:

• Policy working groups
• Policy research and writing
• Implementation and institutional reform exercises
• Public-service preparation seminars
• Senior practitioner discussions
• Diplomacy and governance simulations
• Congressional and executive branch engagement
• Talent and leadership development
• Future public-service readiness activities

Participation will require active engagement, substantive contribution, and a willingness to work constructively across different professional and policy perspectives.

Application & Eligibility

Participation in the BPIA U.S. Foreign Affairs Leadership Project is competitive and selective. Submission of an application does not guarantee admission.

Applicants will be evaluated based on professional experience, demonstrated expertise, policy judgment, leadership potential, ability to contribute to the Project’s work, and commitment to active participation.

U.S. citizenship is required for participation because the Project is specifically focused on developing a U.S. public-service and foreign-affairs leadership bench oriented toward potential future service within the United States government and related U.S. policy institutions.

Applicants should plan to spend approximately 45 minutes to one hour completing the application.

If selected, participants will be assessed a $75 administrative fee. Limited need-based scholarships will be available.

Important Notice

The BPIA U.S. Foreign Affairs Leadership Project is an independent BPIA initiative and is not affiliated with, operated by, or recruiting on behalf of any presidential campaign, presidential transition organization, political party, federal agency, or presidential administration.

Participation does not constitute an offer, promise, or guarantee of government employment, political appointment, nomination, recommendation, or placement.

Application Deadline

September 16, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EDT

Apply

Complete the application

BPIA U.S. Foreign Affairs Leadership Project
Preparing the People and Policy for the Future of U.S. Foreign Policy