Front Range Consortium National Security Scholars Program
The Front Range Consortium (FRC) National Security Scholars Program is a transformative opportunity for students interested in pursuing a career in US national security. In this program, students will participate in a year-long series of seminars, workshops, and immersive learning experiences aimed at developing the knowledge and skills required for undergraduate students to enter the US national security workforce upon graduation.
The FRC National Security Scholars Program begins and ends with experiential learning opportunities. Participants will attend a three-day onboarding experience in Colorado Springs during the fall semester, during which time they will visit the US Air Force Academy’s Institute for Future Conflict (IFC), the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and US Northern Command (NORTHCOM), and other defense and intelligence-related institutions in the Colorado Springs area. In the spring semester, participants will engage in a five-day staff ride to Washington, D.C. to visit Capitol Hill, the Pentagon, US State Department, and other organizations involved in the development and implementation of US national security policy. Both events are paid for by the FRC.
Scholars selected for the program are expected to participate in monthly online or in-person events and lectures in Colorado during the academic year. Scholars are also expected to publish at least one article for the US Air Force Academy’s Institute for Future Conflict (IFC) policy commentary platform, Future Conflict, or a similar outlet or relevant journal during their scholarship year. Students will receive a one-time award of $4,500, paid to their university for tuition or research, for participation in and successful completion of the program. Scholars may be considered for internship programs with FRC partner organizations after the scholarship year has concluded.
The FRC National Security Scholars Program is available to undergraduate students studying and researching in fields related to US national security at FRC participating universities along the Colorado Front Range. The FRC currently includes Colorado College, Colorado State University, the United States Air Force Academy, the University of Colorado – Boulder, the University of Colorado – Colorado Springs and the University of Denver. Due to security restrictions in place by the organizations the FRC will visit, only US citizens are eligible to participate in the FRC National Security Scholars Program.
Preferred Concentrations
Homeland Security/Defense, Agriculture, Intelligence Analysis, Emergency Management, International or Foreign Affairs, Political Science, Economics, Game Design and Development, Mathematics, Chemistry, Atmospheric Science, Public Health, National Security Studies, Computer Science/Engineering, IT/Cybersecurity, Data Science/Analytics, Engineering (Aeronautical, Aerospace, Astronautical, Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Electronics, Industrial, Mechanical, Nuclear), or any comparable field of study related to National Security.
Application Instructions
Applications are due by 11:59pm MDT on Monday, August 11, 2025. Incomplete and late applications will not be considered. Scholarship recipients will be announced by Wednesday, 3 September 2025.
To apply, students must submit the following documents via email to Col (ret) Erin Staine-Pyne at erin.staine-pyne@usafa.org:
- Résumé or curriculum vitae
- Cover letter: one-page (or less) essay detailing how the FRC National Security Studies Scholars Program will impact you and clarifying your intent to work in the field of U.S. national security in the future
- Unofficial transcript
- Letter of recommendation: one letter of recommendation provided by a faculty mentor or supervisor; the recommender should send this letter directly to Col Staine-Pyne at the email address listed above by the deadline
Eligibility and Evaluation
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be enrolled full-time as a rising undergraduate Junior or Senior at a Front Range Consortium school (Colorado College, Colorado State University, United States Air Force Academy, University of Colorado – Boulder, University of Colorado – Colorado Springs, University of Denver)
- Have a current overall GPA of 2.75 or higher
- Be pursuing a degree in a field of study related to U.S. national security
- Be a U.S. citizen
The selection process will evaluate the following items and processes:
- Awards will be based on a combination of applicant resiliency, merit, and academic excellence
- Each scholarship applicant will be vetted by a combination of the Director of the Front Range Consortium and leadership at FRC schools and/or the national security community
- Awards will be paid directly to the respective college/university to be applied to tuition, fees or for research. Cadets will follow government guidelines for scholarship awards.
- Scholars must be willing and able to commit to active participation in all FRC National Security Scholars Program events, including required travel
a. Fall travel is tentatively scheduled for September 24-26, 2025
b. Spring travel is tentatively scheduled for May 17-21, 2026
c. Travel dates are subject to change
d. Travel (hotels, airfare, food) will be paid for by the FRC