John S. McCain Strategic Defense Fellowship Program

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Cohort 6 Application (2025-2026)

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The McCain Fellowship Cohort 6 Application Period is open!

The application period opened on December 1st, 2025, with an initial cut-off date of January 5th, 2026, at 11:59pm ET.

Important Note: This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS application period. Applications are accepted through open continuous announcements via USAJOBs through September 30, 2026. Applications received before 11:59pm on January 5, 2026, will receive primary consideration and be evaluated and referred for current available positions. Subsequent cutoff dates include March 5, 2026; May 5, 2026; July 6, 2026, and September 30, 2026. Qualified applicants that apply after the initial cut off date will be considered and referred if initial vacancies are not filled and if future vacancies become available.

To apply, select a job series below to visit the job announcement on USAJOBS:

When applying, applicants should note the following guidelines:

  1. Grade Level Selection. When filling out an application, applicants must select the grade levels they want to be considered for. Applicants should note that they will only be evaluated for the grade levels they have selected.
  2. Required Documents Submission. Applicants should carefully ensure all required supporting documents are uploaded when applying as incomplete applications will not be considered. Applicants will be prompted to upload supporting documents and will have the opportunity to include additional documents as needed. Visit this reference for uploading supporting documents.

For additional information on the application process, please review the Application Resources section and the additional tabs below.

To stay informed on the application period, sign up for our mailing list.

Eligibility

Participation in this Program is open to citizens of the United States or lawful permanent residents of the United States. To be eligible to apply, applicants must be:

  1. A recent graduate who has earned a graduate degree from an accredited institution of higher education in the United States not more than 2 years before the date of acceptance into the Fellows Program;

    OR

  2. A current graduate student who will be awarded a graduate degree from an accredited institution of higher education in the United States not more than 6 months after the date of acceptance into the Fellows Program.

The date of acceptance into the Fellows Program is defined as the Fellow’s Entry on Duty (EOD) date. The Fellow’s EOD date is contingent upon their successful completion of all pre-employment and onboarding requirements. The EOD date for Cohort 6 McCain Fellows is projected to be in June 2026.

Career Series

The job series identified below are the positions the Department is seeking to fill in the 2025-2026 application cycle. Prospective applicants may find a general description of each job series in the Occupational Handbook.

  • Foreign Affairs (0130)
  • Human Resources (0201)
  • Miscellaneous Admin & Program Analysis (0301)
  • Management & Program Analysis (0343)
  • Financial Administration & Program (0501)
  • Operations Research (1515)
  • Information Technology (2210)

DoD Components

The DoD Components participating in the program are identified below.

Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation (CAPE)
Position Seeking to Fill:
  • 1515 - Operations Research
Director of Administration and Management
Position Seeking to Fill:
  • 0343 – Management Analyst
Washington Headquarters Services (WHS)
Positions Seeking to Fill:
  • 0301 – Correspondence Controller
  • 0201 – Human Resources Specialist
Office of the Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment
Positions Seeking to Fill:
  • 0343 – Management Analyst
  • 2210 – IT Specialist
Office of the Under Secretary of War for Comptroller
Positions Seeking to Fill:
  • 0343 – Management Analyst
  • 0501 – Financial Management Analyst
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs
Position Seeking to Fill:
  • 0301 – Misc Admin & Program Analyst
Office of the Under Secretary of War for Policy
Position Seeking to Fill:
  • 0130 – Foreign Affairs Specialist

Completed Application Package:

Your application package must be complete with the following required documents:

  1. Completed Résumé (2 pages or less)
    • Per OPM, applicants’ résumé must be limited to 2 pages or less. Résumés that exceed the two-page limit will result in immediate ineligibility and no further consideration will be given.
  2. Two letters of recommendation
    • From previous employers, professors, coaches, internship supervisors volunteer activity leads, or work colleagues, addressing work ethic, academic ability, and accomplishments.
  3. An endorsement letter
    • From applicant’s graduate institution (i.e., academic advisor, registrar office, student conduct office, or dean) addressing the applicant’s academic history and overall character (i.e., no record or honor investigations, plagiarism, accusations, suspensions, misconduct, etc.).
  4. Unofficial transcripts of educational achievement at the undergraduate and graduate level.
  5. An academic writing sample
    • i.e., published articles, dissertation, thesis, etc.
  6. Provide a response to one or more of the following compelling narratives:
    1. Career goals. Describe your career goals, areas of interest, and how the McCain Fellows Program will help you achieve those goals.
    2. Accomplishments. Describe and provide examples/evidence of any learning, professional, leadership, and work accomplishments.
    3. Benefits for the Department of Defense. Describe how your selection benefits the DoD and your motivation for service in the Department.
    4. Essay. Describe what you want to accomplish and achieve during the fellowship.

Incomplete application packages will not receive further considerations, and late submissions cannot be accepted.

General Application Timeline:

The timeline below applies only to the initial cut-off date of January 5, 2026. Dates are tentative and are subject to change.

Timelines for subsequent cut-off dates will be posted as they become available. Please check back regularly for updates.

December – January Cohort 6 Application Period Opens and Closes
January – February Applications will be reviewed by participating DoD components for consideration. Participating DoD organizations may contact applicants directly to schedule an interview.
February - March Applicants will receive notification of the status of their application. Tentative job offers will be extended to selected applicants via USAJOBs on a rolling basis.
Spring 2026 Completion of pre-employment process and extension of Firm Job Offers on a rolling basis.
June 2026 Tentative program start date for Cohort 6