The Strauss Center is pleased to announce that applications are open for the 2026-27 Brumley Graduate Fellows and Undergraduate Scholars programs, due March 1, 2026. These unique academic and professional development opportunities provide research training, mentorship, and networking for exceptional students from varied disciplines across the Forty Acres who have a demonstrated interest in international security and law.

For Graduate Students: The Brumley Next Generation Fellows Program
The Brumley Fellows program at the Strauss Center provides a transformative experience for UT master’s, Law, and Ph.D. students from an array of disciplines, accelerating their path towards career success through an emphasis on building professional and scholarly skills and networks. As part of the Brumley Fellows program, Fellows will:

• Attend Brumley Fellows Colloquia. Once per month during the fall and spring semesters, Fellows will convene in a lunchtime colloquium to discuss their original research project, engage with a visiting guest speaker, and hone their skills in writing, briefing, professionalism, and career development. The date of each colloquium will be set based on Fellows’ schedules each semester.
• Conduct Original Research. Under the guidance of a faculty mentor, and backed by the financial support detailed below, Brumley Fellows will conduct their own research project and submit it to the Strauss Center by the end of May. The mentor will assist the Fellow in developing a research plan, help determine the form of the final product, and advise on career and professional development matters. Fellows will be required to meet regularly with their mentor as part of the fellowship requirements.
• Receive Funding. Fellows will receive a fellowship award in the amount of $3,000 for the 2026-27 academic year, disbursed evenly in the first few weeks of the Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 semesters, which is contingent upon active participation. Fellows will also be eligible to apply for additional funding from the Strauss Center, in support of travel for conferences, research expenses, and other scholarly or professional activities approved on a case-by-case basis.
• Participate in Events on Behalf of the Strauss Center. Fellows are expected to maintain a deep level of engagement with the Strauss Center during their Brumley fellowship year, attending public events covering a wide range of international security and law issues, as well as granted opportunities to participate in private engagements with guest speakers as they visit the Forty Acres.

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For Undergraduate Students: The Brumley Next Generation Scholars Program

The Brumley Next Generation Scholars Program was launched in 2010 with the goal of providing new research and mentorship opportunities for promising UT undergraduate students interested in careers in international security and law. This program now also includes a focus on civic engagement, expanding the reach of the program by engaging more students on a wider range of local, national, and international policy issues. As part of the Brumley Scholars program, Scholars will:

• Take the Course. Register for PA 325 Next Generation Scholars Research, a 3-credit research training and professional development course taught by Dr. Stephanie Holmsten and Dr. Michael Mosser in the fall semester. Scholars are required to participate in all sessions of the course, which are expected to meet every Friday from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm in Sid Richardson Hall at the LBJ School of Public Affairs.
• Do Independent Research. Commit time during the spring semester to work with a mentor to refine the ideas generated and workshopped in the fall semester course to produce op-eds, policy memos, communications with elected representatives, or the like.
• Attend Events. Make a concerted effort to attend Strauss Center events and conferences, including the annual Brumley Scholars trip to Washington, DC over the winter break.
• Receive Funding. Earn a stipend of $750, awarded the spring semester. Students may use this stipend to conduct independent research, travel to a study abroad program or summer internship, attend a professional conference, or engage in other experiential and scholarly pursuits approved by program faculty.

The application deadline for both programs is Sunday, March 1 at 11:59 pm CT. For any questions about the Brumley programs or the application process, contact Brittany Horton at brittany.horton@austin.utexas.edu.