Senior Enlisted members now have unprecedented opportunity to earn a prestigious fellowship! The newly launched Senior Enlisted Education and Fellowship Panel will select two senior enlisted members for 10-month fellowships that prepare them to step into enterprise-level policy and strategy roles in the Service.
Currently accepting applications for Assignment Year 2027 (AY27), these highly prestigious 10-month fellowships are designed to instill strategic thinking and policy development skills in our top deck-plate leaders, preparing them to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving global landscape.
Empowering Deck-Plate Leaders
"This inaugural Phase III program is a pivotal milestone for our senior enlisted workforce," said CAPT Jared Silverman, Chief of the Enlisted Personnel Management Division. "By placing our most motivated Chiefs and Senior Chiefs directly into premier think tanks and strategic institutes, we are ensuring that invaluable deck-plate perspectives shape future Coast Guard policy and maritime strategy. The strategic expertise these Fellows bring back will be critical to advising the MCPOCG and our Flag Officers on the complex challenges ahead."
The AY27 Fellowships
For this inaugural year, two premier 10-month fellowships are available:
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Fellowship Program
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Location
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Core Responsibilities
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RAND
Senior Enlisted
Research Fellowship
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Boston, MA
or
Arlington, VA
|
Conduct impactful, independent research focused
on critical workforce development challenges
and human capital management functions.
|
|
U.S. Naval Institute (USNI)
Senior Enlisted
Engagement Fellowship
|
Annapolis, MD
|
Operate as the Coast Guard’s principal
liaison to the U.S. Naval Institute.
Conduct research, sit on the Editorial Board,
and steer major maritime strategy events.
|
Who Should Apply?
Chiefs and Senior Chiefs interested in working hard, representing the Service well, and pursuing challenging, strategic-level roles in the Coast Guard should apply. You do not need an advanced degree or specific Professional Military Education (PME) to apply.
How to Apply (Do Not Use Direct Access)
Applications are manually submitted as a single PDF. Your package must include:
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Command Endorsement Memo: Must note program preferences and address early rotation/backfill requirements if not tour complete.
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Letter of Recommendation: One-page maximum from the first Silver or Gold Badge in your chain of command (must be a designated CSEL, not a collateral duty badge).
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Candidate Writing Sample: A 1,500-word essay focusing on a deck-plate issue of your choice. This must demonstrate analytical aptitude and be formatted using standard APA guidelines with proper citations (do not use memo format).
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Record Verification: Ensure ESS, iPERMS, and other records are accurate before submission.
Submission details: Email your completed single PDF to the EPM-1 Boards and Panels shared mailbox (HQS-SMB-CGPSC-EPM-1-PANELS@uscg.mil) and CC SEFP@uscg.mil. For full instructions, the "READ ME FIRST" guide, and application materials, visit the SEFP Teams page (Access Code: j6cuh59).
Key Dates & Deadlines
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Milestone
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Date / Deadline
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Application Deadline
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August 31, 2026, at 23:59 EST (strictly enforced)
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Panel Convenes
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September 14, 2026
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Results Released
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Approximately two weeks after the panel adjourns
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For program-specific questions, contact the SEFP Program Manager, LCDR Jonathan Merrell.
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