ALCOAST 046/26 - FEB 2026 SOLICITATION FOR APPLICATIONS FOR THE MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (MIT) SEMINAR XXI PROGRAM

R 061747Z FEB 26 MID320018523501U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 046/26
SSIC 1520
SUBJ: SOLICITATION FOR APPLICATIONS FOR THE MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE
OF TECHNOLOGY (MIT) SEMINAR XXI PROGRAM
1. The Coast Guard will nominate up to four (4) people to
attend MIT's "Seminar XXI: Educating U.S. National Security Leaders"
program.
2. Seminar XXI is a prestigious educational program for 80
senior military officers, government officials, and industry
executives in the national security policy community. The goal of
the program is to equip rising military officials and civilian
executives with the multidimensional analytic skills needed to
understand foreign relations and shape effective policy options for
the United States. The extensive network that Fellows develop in
the nine-month program is of enduring value to them and their
respective organizations.
3. Participants will meet for nine sessions during the 2026-27
academic year, beginning in September 2026 and ending in May 2027.
Sessions will include one (1) introductory session; three (3)
weekend sessions in Warrenton, VA; and five (5) weeknight sessions
in Washington, D.C. Participants must be committed to attending all
meetings and dedicate a significant amount of time each month to the
preparatory readings.
4. Eligibility: Active and Reserve officers in, or already selected
for, grades O-5 to O-8 and civilian employees in grades GS-14 to
SES are eligible. MIT approves these criteria, and no waivers are
granted. Due to the schedule and time commitment for each session,
personnel assigned in the Washington, D.C. area from September 2026
to May 2027, including those receiving PCS orders to the area, are
preferred. Personnel outside Washington, D.C. must incur all travel
costs to ensure attendance at all required sessions.
5. Application materials for the AY26 MIT Seminar XXI Program
are now available on the updated Senior Education and Fellowships
Program (SEFP) SharePoint page at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://uscg.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/cg092/cg0923/SEFP/default.aspx

The SEFP Teams page remains available via DoD365 below and using the
following code: j6cuh59.
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://dod.teams.microsoft.us/l/channel/19%3Adod%3AwX2TA95RdQs
SFNCQjcYysp2q20vrnmgQtCUzvlOg4jU1%40thread.tacv2/AY26%20MIT%
20Seminar%20XXI?groupId=d23cf119-826b-4e00-b29d-54671de79f55&tenant
Id=369ba0d5-02cb-4d2f-94fd-9212cc24b78c&ngc=true&allowXTenantAccess
=true

A panel will review the application packages and select four
individuals to nominate for the program. The Director, Force
Readiness Command (FORCECOM) will announce the nominees via message
in early April, and the Senior Education and Fellowships Program
Manager (FC-C) will help nominees apply to MIT by 15 April 2026.
MIT will make final determinations and notify individuals of their
acceptance status by mid-summer.
6. Application: All applicants must complete the following
application package:
    a. Two single-page (PDF) letters of recommendation in memorandum
form. The first letter must be from the first Flag officer or
equivalent in applicant's chain of command. The second letter may be
from a sponsor of the candidate's choice. Both letters shall be
addressed to "MIT Seminar XXI Selection Panel."
    b. AY26 MIT Seminar XXI Admission Form D.
    c. AY26 MIT Seminar XXI Applicant Questionnaire saved as PDF.
    d. A single page resume (without a photo, applicant's format of
choice, no template provided).
    e. Copy of last personnel evaluation (civilians only). Applicants
must update and verify personnel records for accuracy and email the
above application documents as a single PDF file to the Senior
Education and Fellowship Program at SEFP@uscg.mil no later than
12 March 2025. Any application not meeting the requirements
described in the "Application Instructions and Guidelines" on the
SEFP Teams or SharePoint pages will not be considered. There are no
waivers or exceptions.
7. Funding: Tuition for this program is funded by FORCECOM.
Attendees must provide their own transportation to Seminar XXI
events in the Washington, D.C. area. There is no additional service
obligation associated with this program. However, members selected
are expected to:
    a. Attend all sessions.
    b. Submit at least one article or essay to the SEFP newsletter
or other strategic publication.
8. Additional Seminar XXI program information can be found on
the MIT website:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

http://semxxi.mit.edu/

9. The point of contact for MIT Seminar XXI is LCDR Emily Brockway,
Senior Education and Fellowships Program Manager (FC-C) at:
Emily.H.Brockway@uscg.mil.
10. Ms. J. L. Sinclair, Director, Force Readiness Command
(FC-D), sends.
11. Internet release is authorized.