All foreign military and security and defense participants are selected by the U.S. Military Group (MILGP) or German Federal Ministry of Defense in partnership with the host nation’s Ministry of Defense. Candidates must submit their application through these channels.

U.S. and German military officers may contact the Marshall Center directly: info [at] marshallcenter.org (info[at]marshallcenter[dot]org).

The majority of civilian candidates are identified in partnership with the ministries of the host-nation’s government, including the police and security forces. International organizations and non-government civilian candidates may also apply directly through the Marshall Center’s online application up to 150 days before the course start date.

Course participants are generally mid- to high-level professionals from government, defense, industry, or academia:

• Who are current or emerging leaders serving in defense, security, foreign affairs, disaster management, counterterrorism, or related positions.
• Whose work contributes to national, regional, global, and/or transatlantic security.
• And who are responsible for policy, planning, strategy, analysis, capability or technology development, acquisition, security cooperation, or implementation.

For Strategic Competition, European-led Defense, and Strength and Deterrence Through Resilience, the ideal candidate typically has 8 to 15 years of experience in security-related fields and a working understanding of security institutions, resource decisions, and decision-making processes.

For Emerging Security Issues, the ideal candidate is a junior-level security professional with 5 to 10 years of experience in security-related fields and a general need for applying course skills to adapt to emerging security issues and technologies for national and collective defense.

The Senior Executive Seminar is a seminar tailored for senior executives including national ministers, ambassadors, legislators, general officers, and other senior government officials focusing on the most critical and relevant contemporary security issues. Senior Executive Seminar participants attend by direct invitation or through coordination with the appropriate U.S. or German embassy.

Tuition may be waived for qualified participants. Eligibility determinations are made during the application process. However, lodging, travel, and meal costs remain the responsibility of the participant or sponsoring organization.

Candidates who are not eligible for a tuition waiver may attend at a cost of $691 per week.

The accepted form of payment is credit card through Pay.gov. Payment is required no later than 30 days prior to the start of the course.

• Foreign military officers and foreign security and defense civilian government officials from developing countries are generally eligible for a tuition waiver.
• Military officers and civilian government officials from states located in Europe or the territory of the former Soviet Union are generally eligible for a tuition waiver.
• Tuition may be waived for nongovernmental and international organization personnel only after concurrence is granted from the U.S. Department of State and the Defense Security Cooperation Agency.

Online application forms close 150 days before the course start date for those candidates who need Department of State or Defense Security Cooperation Agency approval to allow sufficient time for application processing.

For certain applicants, including U.S. and German military personnel and those having been previously approved to attend, applications may be accepted up to 60 days before the course start date. These applicants may initiate the process by contacting the Marshall Center at info [at] marshallcenter.org (info[at]marshallcenter[dot]org).

Following your nomination, the Marshall Center registrar/admissions office will follow-up with the necessary documents required and next steps.

Online application submissions undergo a thorough vetting process with the Marshall Center and the U.S. Department of State to verify eligibility and professional alignment. Applicants will then be considered on space-available basis.

The Marshall Center will notify all candidates of their status in a timely manner.

Attendance to a Marshall Center course is subject to the successful compliance with all administrative and security requirements.

Yes. We recognize that not all professionals can step away from their duties for a full four weeks. For this reason, weekly modules will be offered for flexible attendance options. Attendance of individual weeks may include additional educational or professional prerequisites.

Yes. Participants who successfully complete their registered portion of the course will receive an official certificate of completion from the Marshall Center and become Marshall Center alumni. Participants are required to attend all sessions and complete any required assignments or projects.

The Marshall Center does not issue visa support letters for self-funded participants. Upon acceptance, participants will receive an official confirmation letter. This letter, along with self-procured lodging and travel details, should be sufficient for visa application purposes. Applicants remain responsible for coordinating visa requirements with the appropriate embassy or consulate.

Applicants will be asked to submit documentation verifying their official employment status, Curriculum Vitae, English-language proficiency, and passport details for travel and registration purposes. Additional materials may be requested during the vetting process.

Additional information on 2027 course offerings can be found on the Marshall Center website.

Strategic Competition (25 January 2027 – 19 February 2027 ) is a four-week resident course for experienced security practitioners and industry professionals that sharpens strategic thinking by examining strategic competition across regions and domains, with particular attention to Europe and the transatlantic community.

European-led Defense (5-30 April 2027) is a four-week resident course focused on translating defense resources into ready forces, usable munitions, resilient logistics, and integrated command structures that support NATO’s regional defense plans.

Strength and Deterrence through Resilience (6-30 July 2027) focuses on protecting supply chains, critical infrastructure, and communications networks, from hybrid threats, malign cyber actors, and transnational organized crime.

Emerging Security Issues (20 September 2027 – 5 November 2027) is a seven-week resident course equipping mid- and senior-level practitioners to navigate emerging security issues, including threats in space and cyber domains, new technologies and innovations, the operational application of data and artificial intelligence, AI-enabled warfare and capability development, and emerging stakeholder requirements.

Instruction is conducted by Marshall Center faculty and bolstered by international, subject-matter experts from the U.S., Germany, NATO, and partner institutions bringing decades of professional expertise in their respective subject areas.

Guest speakers often include senior military leaders, ministers, diplomats, scholars, and practitioners directly engaged in European and transatlantic security policy. Guest speakers also participate in subsequent seminars, giving participants an opportunity to engage directly and discuss current security issues face to face.

The course follows a full-time schedule, Monday through Friday, typically from 0830 to 1630, combining lectures, seminars, workshops, and simulation and wargaming exercises. Occasional evening sessions or social events support networking and applied learning.

Business attire or service dress uniform is standard on the first and final days, as well as for events featuring distinguished visitors. Business casual for civilians and military personnel is appropriate for most other course activities.

A cancellation and refund policy will be provided during the admissions process. Participants unable to attend are encouraged to notify the Registrar/Admissions Office as soon as possible to discuss transfer or refund options.

Participants attending resident courses will have access to essential on-base facilities, including dining, fitness, and recreation areas, consistent with host-nation and U.S. installation policies.

Yes. All graduates join the Marshall Center global alumni network, gaining access to alumni resources including the research library, events, regional alumni groups, newsletters, and ongoing professional engagement opportunities.

Yes. Self-nominated participants may use a designated booking code to arrange lodging directly with Edelweiss Lodge and Resort. Booking instructions will be provided upon acceptance. Lodging is not included in tuition, and some lodging is a 15-minute walk from the classroom.

Family members and spouses may accompany participants to the local area; however, base access is not permissible for family members. As a result, family members may not stay in installation lodging or participate in course activities or official evening social events.

As required, pre-course work or reading will be assigned by the course director. Course materials and access to relevant resources will be provided by email in the weeks leading up to the course.

iPads and keyboards will be provided upon arrival. Participants may bring a personal device for taking notes or completing assignments; however, personal or non-Marshall Center devices will not have access to the course site or course content. IT support is not available for personal devices.

Applications are processed in the order they are received. Applicants will generally receive an acceptance decision at least 60 days before the start of the course.

There is currently no waitlist. Applicants will receive an acceptance or non-acceptance decision.

Yes. Marshall Center resident courses (4- and 7-week course) are accredited by the University of the Bundeswehr Munich and offer participants the opportunity to earn European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System credits.

For the latest information on admissions and applications, visit the University of the Bundeswehr Munich’s Master's program in International Security Studies.

Yes. Institutional payments are accepted. Ministries, agencies, or organizations funding participant attendance may coordinate directly with the Registrar’s Office for invoicing and payment instructions.

Online participation is by invitation only and subject to availability.

Courses are conducted entirely in English. To participate successfully, participants should have professional working-level proficiency to engage effectively in lectures, discussions, seminars, workshops, and to complete written assignments.

Applicants must submit either:

• a valid English-language test certificate (issued within the past 12 months) or
• proof of completion of an undergraduate or graduate program conducted entirely in English.

Refer to the table below for accepted tests and minimum score requirements.