The ACONA Professional Development Fellowship Program 2026-2027

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Call for applications for the 2026-2027 ACONA Fellowship are now open!!! Join The Cohort today !!!

The Arms Control Negotiation Academy (ACONA) is a 10-month, high-level professional development program for a competitively selected cohort of rising international security experts and practitioners.
The ambitious training curriculum addresses critical historical case studies, technological know-how, and advanced negotiation skills in the realm of arms control. Participants attend three negotiation boot camps, earn a Certificate in Arms Control Negotiation, and become part of the ACONA network of next-generation arms control negotiators.

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​ACONA welcomes applications by highly qualified candidates of all nationalities who demonstrate 3-5 years of advanced professional or research experience. The most highly qualified candidates will be able to demonstrate several years of professional or research experience in their field, international experience, an advanced degree, and public recognition of their achievements.

The fellowship will start on September 1, 2026, and end on June 30, 2027. Their target audiences are:

• Rising international security experts, researchers, and practitioners
• Professionals in government ministries, research organizations, and NGOs working on arms control, non‑proliferation, and nuclear policy
• Graduate students and early‑career professionals seeking advanced training in negotiation and diplomacy

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Only a small cohort (around 16 fellows) is selected each year, and they require full participation for 10 months, including travel and intensive workshops.

The ACONA Fellowship Term is September 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027. The Fellows will hone their negotiation techniques through immersive exercises; study arms control topics with preeminent experts; conduct joint research on pressing international security issues; and develop professional and interpersonal networks.

​ACONA aims to hold the third Boot Camp and Conference in Reykjavík, Iceland. In this case, the fellowship covers the cost of travel to and accommodation at the final boot camp and conference.​

• History, Technology, Negotiation: Experienced scholars and practitioners will meet with ACONA Fellows and discuss the history and politics of arms control, new technological challenges, and crucial negotiation skills and techniques.
• Immersive ​Training: Each boot camp will include an immersive training exercise that enables ACONA Fellows to hone their negotiation skills in an international security scenario.
• Collaborative Research: ACONA Fellows will collaborate outside the boot camps on an innovative research project on arms control negotiation. Fellows will collaborate in ways that are complementary in terms of their interests and expertise. ACONA partners will disseminate the findings through their networks to impact the ongoing arms control debate.

The ACONA program provides an unparalleled opportunity for scholars and professionals to develop their negotiation skills, solve intricate international problems, and expand their networks.