Fellowships

The Military Writers Guild is proud to announce The Forge Fellowship, a fully-funded writing fellowship. This program offers two military or veteran writers the opportunity to pursue independent, self-directed writing projects over an extended period, producing policy-relevant work that challenges conventional thinking and bridges the gap between operational experience and strategic discourse.

What We're Looking For

We seek military professionals and veterans with demonstrated writing potential and projects that address critical gaps in current policy discourse. Whether you're working on analysis of technological competition with near-peer adversaries, examining civil-military relations, exploring lessons from recent conflicts, or addressing other pressing national security challenges, this program provides the financial support and professional guidance you need to transform your ideas into substantive publications.

The Forge Fellowship Experience

This fellowship supports writers who work best independently, pursuing innovative ideas that may challenge institutional orthodoxy.

The fellowship structure includes:

• Extended Writing Period: June 2026 through March 2027 to develop and complete your project at your own pace

• Financial Support: Small stipend to support your writing work and offset opportunity costs

• Mentorship Access: Regular check-ins with established military writers who can provide guidance, feedback, and publication advice

• Publication Assistance: Connection to our network of editors and publication contacts to help place your finished work

• Flexibility: Work on your own schedule, in your own location, using your own methods — we support your independent process

What You'll Produce

Each Forge Fellow commits to producing a substantive written work of at least 5,000 words. This could take the form of:

• A work that addresses the character of future warfare, roles and missions of the military services, and other expressly military topics

• Policy analysis for journals like Foreign Affairs, War on the Rocks, or Parameters

• Historical or strategic studies for academic publications

• Contemporary military issue analysis for influential media outlets

• Literary or social commentary that brings military perspectives to broader audiences

• Book chapters or extended essays that contribute to strategic discourse

Beyond the Writing Period

Our support doesn't end when your fellowship concludes. The Forge Fellowship provides:

• Publication assistance through our network of editors and publication contacts

• Opportunities for broader impact including potential congressional testimony, media appearances, academic conference presentations, and peer-reviewed publications

• Connection to the Military Writers Guild community and future fellows

• Recognition as a Forge Fellow, joining a distinguished cohort of independent military thinkers

Program Timeline

• Application Period: April 2026 until the fellowships are filled

• Fellowship Period: June 2026 - March 2027

• Work Location: Your choice—work where you're most productive

• Support Structure: Regular mentorship check-ins throughout the fellowship period

Who Should Apply

This program is designed for:

• MWG members—can be active duty military members, veterans, or military-affiliated civilians

• Writers with a specific project in mind that addresses policy-relevant military or national security issues

• Individuals who work best independently and can manage long-term self-directed projects

• Those with innovative or unconventional ideas that challenge existing frameworks

• Writers who can commit to the full fellowship period and publication process

How to Apply

Applications will open in April 2026. The application will require:

• A detailed project proposal (no more than 2,000 words)

• A writing sample demonstrating your capability

• Your publication goals and target outlets

• Information about your military background and relevant expertise

• A work plan showing how you'll use the fellowship period

The fellowship includes a stipend to support your writing work. Specific stipend amounts will be provided to selected fellows.

Join a Tradition of Independent Military Thinking

Today's military thinkers often develop their most important insights outside formal institutional structures, working independently to translate operational experience into strategic innovation.

This fellowship recognizes that some of the most important military writing happens not in collaborative environments, but through the sustained, independent effort of individual thinkers willing to challenge orthodoxy and pursue unconventional ideas.