FY26-2 Artificial Intelligence Fellowship Programs

1. Purpose.  The purpose of this message is to
solicit nominations for the FY26-2 Marine Corps Artificial
Intelligence (AI) Fellowship programs.  
2. Background. The Deputy Commandant for Information (DC I),
Service Data Office (SDO), in partnership with the Naval
Postgraduate School (NPS), is sending Marines to NPS for a
project-based AI fellowship. The program is designed to make
fundamental advancements in AI through project-based research.
The cohorts are comprised of interdisciplinary teams that
collaborate to create new algorithms, technologies, and solutions
relevant to mission problems.  
3. AI Project.  All applications will include an AI use case as the
primary project that will be developed throughout the fellowship.
To ensure candidates begin work immediately and maximize the
productivity of their time, this project must be endorsed by the
command, unclassified, actionable, and the applicant must have 
access to, or reasonably assume they will be able to obtain the
necessary data.  
4. Program Structure.  AI Fellows will be under operational control
of NPS for the duration of the program and will be expected to
telework daily. Their current command will retain administrative
control. 
4.a. No fewer than two individuals will be selected to participate
in each USMC NPS AI Fellowship cohort. 
4.b. The fellowship lasts 5 months and includes three unit funded
temporary additional duty (TAD) trips to the NPS Campus in Monterey.   
4.c. Tentative dates for the TAD trips for the upcoming cohort are
as follows:
TAD 1: 8 to 12 June 2026;
TAD 2: 24 to 27 August 2026;
TAD 3: 2 to 5 November 2026. 
4.d. There are no costs for sponsoring commands associated with
participation other than approximately $5k to cover TAD.  Marines
who are selected to participate in the program should remain remote
throughout its duration. 
4.e. As a requirement for successful graduation, participants must
produce a publishable, quality research paper based on their
capstone project.  
5. Application Process.  
5.a. Applications must be received NLT 30 April 2026. Requests to
submit late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.   
5.b. Applicants must meet program requirements in accordance with
paragraph 6 at the time of submission, regardless of their personal
situation or deployment status.  Applicants who do not meet the
requirements are ineligible and must apply for a future cohort once
the requirements are met.   
5.c. Applicants must inform their chain of command of their intent
to apply and are required to submit a command endorsement letter
signed by the first O-6 commander in their chain of command via the
application portal. Applicants missing this endorsement letter will
not be considered. 
5.d. Candidates may indicate whether they wish to be considered for
either or both programs.   
6. Eligibility Requirements.  Marines and civilians must meet the
following minimum eligibility requirements for consideration for
this program: 
6.a. An unclassified command sponsored, actionable AI use case, with
associated data identified, for solutioning by the selectee in the
program. 
6.b. Rank/Grade: O1 – O5; E4 – E8; CWO 1-5; GS-5 through 14. 
6.c. Demonstrated experience of self-directing and exceling
in a semi-unstructured environment. 
6.d. Be remote/telework capable 
(personal computer and internet connection is required throughout). 
7. Submission/Selection Process: 
7.a. Online application portal will close at 2359 (EST) on or about
30 April 2026. The application is located at: https:
forms.osi.apps.mil/r/KuXD4BgLmg 
7.b. The selection committee will be convened
on or about 4 May 2026.
The Deputy Commandant for Information reserves the right to modify
board results based on mission requirements. 
7.c. Applicants will be notified of selection/non-selection NLT 15
May 2026. The selected applicants will receive additional
coordinating instructions. 
8. Direct all questions to MARADMIN POCs. 
9. Release authorized by Lieutenant General J. A. Matos III,
Headquarters Marine Corps, Deputy Commandant for Information.