Background
Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs (CCEIA) is an independent, research-driven nonprofit that works to empower ethics by identifying and addressing the most critical ethical issues of today and tomorrow. Carnegie Council has been a thought leader on nuclear ethics since the inception of the weapon itself.
The Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation (HFG) examines enduring and urgent problems of violence, such as war, crime, and human aggression. Through basic and applied research, we aim to understand the causes, manifestation, and control of violence in the United States and around the globe. The Foundation awards competitive research grants and fellowships to advance scholarship, and disseminates knowledge to inform policy, practice, and public discourse.
After 80 years of robust scholarship and diplomacy on nuclear weapons, a dangerous shift is underway: While the great powers of Russia, China, and the U.S. build up and modernize their nuclear capacities, the credibility of extended deterrence is strained to the point of breaking, and proliferation among middle and smaller powers appears inevitable. The alarming shift in policy on the world’s most destructive weapon is heightened by seeming public indifference.
Nuclear capabilities are expanding while institutional restraints are weakening. In 2025, CCEIA partnered with the HFG to convene researchers, practitioners, journalists, and religious leaders who identified a normative shift—what we call "nuclear complacency"—as an urgent threat to international stability. The primary finding from the workshop, amplified by recent world events, was that due to changing U.S. commitments, the principle of extended deterrence has crumbled. With the tumbling of this pillar of the international world order, what comes next?
Opportunity for Researchers & Practitioners
In partnership with HFG, Carnegie Council seeks to hire a non-resident, part-time fellow for a 12-month term to lead a proactive research and education agenda addressing the end of extended deterrence through influential publications, policy engagement, high visibility convenings, and education of emerging leaders.
The distinguishing characteristic of this fellowship will be its focus on the ethical choices presented by a more nuclearized world. What values and principles should guide us? And how should we navigate the inevitable tradeoffs in striving for both peace and security?
Research proposals could address:
- The future of deterrence: What does deterrence look like in a more nuclearized world?
- The future of non-proliferation: Is it possible to balance nuclear security with the growing multipolarity of global power and shifting global alliances?
- Navigating emerging threats: How will innovations in AI, cyber, and outer space capabilities affect nuclear strategy?
As part of the fellowship application, please provide an overview of your objectives and proposed activities. If a proposal advances to the next stage of review, the submitter will receive an introductory email within 60 days of submission, inviting them to participate in a discovery call and to learn more about the role. We anticipate the non-resident fellow would start their work by Fall 2026.
Deadline for submission is 11:59pm EST Sunday July 12, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please review CCEIA and HFG’s previous collaboration and frequently asked questions below prior to beginning work on your submission. All proposals must be submitted through the form below on this page. While Carnegie Council can guarantee that all proposal submissions are reviewed, we cannot guarantee an individual response to each proposal.
The non-resident fellow would be expected to engage with the life of Carnegie Council and HFG over the twelve-month term and add to our offerings and programs on nuclear deterrence in myriad ways. High-impact outputs will include:
- One high-visibility convening that engages global policymakers, decision-makers at multilateral institutions, local government leaders, engaged citizens, media, and the business community
- Two to three op-ed pieces in significant national and/or international media outlets that provide meaningful thought leadership and serve as pieces of intellectual and applied influence
- One peer-reviewed journal article advancing scholarly understanding
- Engagement with CCEIA’s Carnegie Ethics Fellows to enhance their understanding of the complex issues in this space and educate the next generation of leaders
- Laying the foundation for further development of educational and classroom resources for students and educators
The selected candidate should have:
- Doctoral-level expertise, whether through a Ph.D. or equivalent applied experience in their domain
- Interest in developing an ethics-based output with the prospect of real-world application
- A network of relevant professional connections who would be interested in engaging with this work
- Availability to work closely with Carnegie Council and HFG for a 12-month period following proposal acceptance
Yes. The non-resident fellowship is open to candidates outside of the United States. Due to in-person programming requirements, the selected candidate will need to have the appropriate travel documents (passports, visas, etc.) to successfully participate.
The non-resident fellow will receive a monthly stipend of $3,500 USD for the duration of the 12-month fellowship. They will also receive direct support from Council staff in the planning, execution, and delivery of publications, convenings, and public-facing outputs. This includes research, access to the Council's networks, publication design and printing, convening planning, and more.
Finalists may be asked to conduct a 30-minute discovery call via Zoom. The discovery call helps the submitter and Carnegie Council align expectations during the project period. All finalists will receive formal notification of their proposal status within 60 days of submission.
For any questions related to the fellowship, the contents of a high-quality proposal, or what the Council's leadership team is looking for, please reach out to Kathleen Egan.