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2027-1 Artificial Intelligence Fellowship Programs | USMC

Gary Lloyd | Oct 28,26 | 01:34 EST

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The U.S. Marine Corps is soliciting nominations for its 2027-1 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Fellowship programs, a collaborative initiative between the Deputy Commandant for Information (DC I), Chief Data & AI Office (CDAO), and the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS). This program aims to advance AI capabilities through project-based research, where interdisciplinary teams of Marines will develop new algorithms, technologies, and solutions relevant to mission problems. The fellowship requires a command-endorsed, unclassified, and actionable AI use case for each applicant.

Purpose The primary goal of this announcement is to invite nominations for the upcoming 2027-1 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Fellowship programs offered by the U.S. Marine Corps. Background The fellowship is a collaborative initiative between the Deputy Commandant for Information (DC I), Chief Data & AI Office (CDAO), and the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS). It aims to select Marines for a project-based AI fellowship at NPS. The core purpose is to drive foundational progress in AI through hands-on research. Participants will form interdisciplinary teams, working together to develop innovative algorithms, technologies, and solutions directly applicable to critical mission challenges faced by the Marine Corps. AI Project A crucial component of the application is a proposed Artificial Intelligence use case that will serve as the primary project during the fellowship. To guarantee immediate and productive work, this project must meet several criteria: it needs official endorsement from the applicant's command, must remain unclassified, must be actionable, and the applicant must either already possess or have a reasonable expectation of acquiring the essential data required for its development. Program Structure The AI Fellowship program structure outlines that participants will operate under the Naval Postgraduate School's (NPS) operational control while maintaining administrative control under their current commands, primarily working remotely. Each cohort will comprise at least two individuals. The fellowship spans five months and involves three temporary additional duty (TAD) trips to the NPS Campus in Monterey, tentatively scheduled for January, April, and June 2027. Sponsoring commands are responsible for approximately $5,000 to cover these TAD expenses. A mandatory requirement for graduation is the completion of a high-quality, publishable research paper based on the capstone project. Furthermore, successful completion of the fellowship incurs a 15-month active-duty service obligation. Applicants must possess at least 20 months of obligated service at the program's commencement to cover both the 5-month fellowship and the subsequent 15-month obligation. Exceptions to this policy for Marines intending to transition or retire can be requested through their chain of command for case-by-case review by Manpower Management Office Assignments 3. Application Process Applications for the AI Fellowship must be submitted by 23:59 EST on 30 October 2026; late or incomplete submissions will not be considered. All applicants must fulfill the eligibility criteria detailed in paragraph 6 at the time of application, irrespective of personal circumstances or deployment status. Those who do not meet these requirements are advised to apply for subsequent cohorts. A mandatory endorsement letter, signed by the applicant's first O-6 commander, must be attached to the application through the designated online portal. Eligibility Requirements To be considered for the program, both military personnel and civilians must meet specific minimum eligibility criteria. These include presenting an unclassified, command-sponsored, and actionable AI use case with identified data, intended for the applicant to address during the fellowship. Eligible ranks and grades are O1-O5, E4-E8, and CWO 1-5 for active duty military, and GS-5 through GS-14 for civilians. Marines must possess a completed Military Occupational Specialty (MOS); those with student or training MOS are ineligible. Additionally, Marine applicants must not have been passed over for promotion, nor have an approved resignation or retirement date when applying. All participants must be capable of remote work/telework, requiring a personal computer and internet access throughout the program. Submission/Selection Process The online application for the fellowship is accessible via a provided URL. A selection committee is scheduled to convene around 04 November 2026. The Deputy Commandant for Information maintains the authority to override selection board outcomes if necessitated by mission requirements. Applicants can expect to be informed of their selection or non-selection no later than 20 November 2026. Successful candidates will subsequently receive further instructions for coordination.

Purpose

The primary goal of this announcement is to invite nominations for the upcoming 2027-1 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Fellowship programs offered by the U.S. Marine Corps.

Background

The fellowship is a collaborative initiative between the Deputy Commandant for Information (DC I), Chief Data & AI Office (CDAO), and the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS). It aims to select Marines for a project-based AI fellowship at NPS. The core purpose is to drive foundational progress in AI through hands-on research. Participants will form interdisciplinary teams, working together to develop innovative algorithms, technologies, and solutions directly applicable to critical mission challenges faced by the Marine Corps.

AI Project

A crucial component of the application is a proposed Artificial Intelligence use case that will serve as the primary project during the fellowship. To guarantee immediate and productive work, this project must meet several criteria: it needs official endorsement from the applicant's command, must remain unclassified, must be actionable, and the applicant must either already possess or have a reasonable expectation of acquiring the essential data required for its development.

Program Structure

The AI Fellowship program structure outlines that participants will operate under the Naval Postgraduate School's (NPS) operational control while maintaining administrative control under their current commands, primarily working remotely. Each cohort will comprise at least two individuals. The fellowship spans five months and involves three temporary additional duty (TAD) trips to the NPS Campus in Monterey, tentatively scheduled for January, April, and June 2027. Sponsoring commands are responsible for approximately $5,000 to cover these TAD expenses. A mandatory requirement for graduation is the completion of a high-quality, publishable research paper based on the capstone project. Furthermore, successful completion of the fellowship incurs a 15-month active-duty service obligation. Applicants must possess at least 20 months of obligated service at the program's commencement to cover both the 5-month fellowship and the subsequent 15-month obligation. Exceptions to this policy for Marines intending to transition or retire can be requested through their chain of command for case-by-case review by Manpower Management Office Assignments 3.

Application Process

Applications for the AI Fellowship must be submitted by 23:59 EST on 30 October 2026; late or incomplete submissions will not be considered. All applicants must fulfill the eligibility criteria detailed in paragraph 6 at the time of application, irrespective of personal circumstances or deployment status. Those who do not meet these requirements are advised to apply for subsequent cohorts. A mandatory endorsement letter, signed by the applicant's first O-6 commander, must be attached to the application through the designated online portal.

Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for the program, both military personnel and civilians must meet specific minimum eligibility criteria. These include presenting an unclassified, command-sponsored, and actionable AI use case with identified data, intended for the applicant to address during the fellowship. Eligible ranks and grades are O1-O5, E4-E8, and CWO 1-5 for active duty military, and GS-5 through GS-14 for civilians. Marines must possess a completed Military Occupational Specialty (MOS); those with student or training MOS are ineligible. Additionally, Marine applicants must not have been passed over for promotion, nor have an approved resignation or retirement date when applying. All participants must be capable of remote work/telework, requiring a personal computer and internet access throughout the program.

Submission/Selection Process

The online application for the fellowship is accessible via a provided URL. A selection committee is scheduled to convene around 04 November 2026. The Deputy Commandant for Information maintains the authority to override selection board outcomes if necessitated by mission requirements. Applicants can expect to be informed of their selection or non-selection no later than 20 November 2026. Successful candidates will subsequently receive further instructions for coordination.