Veteran Fellowship Program
The Hoover Institution Veteran Fellowship Program (VFP) is a nonresidential, year-long project-based program for 10 military veterans to accelerate solution-finding at a local, state, or national level. The program seeks participants who want to address challenges in the public sector with actionable outcomes. Focus areas should align with Hoover’s research priorities and seek to inform the formation and implementation of policy. The VFP is building an effective and enduring network of successful veteran practitioners, motivated to confront real-world challenges with support from networks at the Hoover Institution and Stanford University.
To see a list of the current class of Veteran Fellows, click here.
PROGRAM DESIGN
The Hoover Institution Veteran Fellowship Program is a ‘do-er’ program. It provides Fellows time to consolidate thinking on a problem, the space to collaborate and expand stakeholder networks, and the impetus to take active steps to move the policy needle. The VFP celebrates those veterans willing to be bold and innovate in challenging areas central to the well-being and success of our communities, networks, and nation.
The VFP integrates the public policy scholarship and platform of the Hoover Institution with military veterans who exemplify the credibility and talent of the military. The Program seeks to bring greater innovation and action to policy awareness and implementation. Veterans’ unique grasp of the country’s values, their personal initiative, and their wide networks present synergies where sound policy ideas can emerge.
PARTICIPANT PROFILE
The program is designed for military veterans who want to effect meaningful change. The VFP welcomes veterans who exemplify the following characteristics: persistence, flexibility, humility, collegiality, and personal inspiration for the goal they seek.
The program is open to veterans who served on active duty within the last twenty years and are successful mid-career practitioners with a desire to lead in their communities and a commitment to promoting ideas and actions for free societies. Candidates must come with impactful ideas and the drive to deliver results. Each veteran should possess the self-motivation, professional network, and vision to pursue their innovative project.
Fellows in the VFP will participate in up to five in-person engagements as well as virtual sessions throughout the year. Veteran Fellows will produce a capstone project which will allow them to conduct work on their topic within their communities. Hoover fellows and advisory council members will provide a consultative component.
Click here for answers to frequently asked questions.
Accepting applications for the next cohort until March 27, 2023
Veteran Fellowship Program | Testimonials
Hear how the Veteran Fellowship Program made an impact by listening to the testimonials.
CAPSTONE PROJECT
The program asks each Veteran Fellow to tackle a significant policy issue that aligns with the research priorities of the Hoover Institution. Topics may include:
Broad Themes
- Addressing Challenges Faced by Advanced Capitalist Societies
- America’s Role in the World
- Technology’s Opportunities and Risks to America’s economy, democratic governance, and national security
Subtopics
- State and Local Governance; Education; Workforce Development; Health Care; Civics and Revitalizing History; Media, Information Dissemination and Public Opinion; and Great Power Competition and Threats to the Homeland; Disparities to Income and Redistribution
This Program creates a bridge between Hoover’s scholarship and the project’s intended outcomes. The capstone should provide a real-world framework that integrates and applies a deep mastery of the problem and informed approaches for policy improvements or solutions. Capstone topics are defined at the discretion of the Veteran Fellows, articulated in the application process, and refined at the first in-person gathering in June.
ADMINISTRATION
The selection committee is composed of Hoover fellows and members of Hoover’s network. The committee selects program participants and recommends the cohort for each year to the director of the Hoover Institution for approval.
APPLICATION:
Only those who meet the following requirements should move forward with this application:
- US military veterans from Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, National Guard, Navy, or Space Force; and
- Served on active duty within the last twenty years; for those in the National Guard, their service must include at least one period of activation at the state for federal level.
Required Materials
Online Application: The online application requires you to provide basic personal contact, professional, and military background information, as well as answers to four program-specific questions.
Resume or CV: You will upload a copy of your most recent professional resume or CV. A PDF file is recommended.
DD214: You will upload a copy of your Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. A PDF file is recommended.
Letters of Recommendation: You will need to provide at least two but no more than three letters of recommendation. Letters should be from professional associates or colleagues from volunteer or nonprofit endeavors who can speak to your experience and the impact of your work. One letter should be associated with your place of employment. Please do not submit letters of recommendation from family or friends. Letters must be uploaded with the application form. PDF files are recommended.
Video Submission: In two minutes or less, please give your “elevator pitch” for why you should be selected for the Hoover Veteran Fellowship Program. Use this opportunity to discuss how you stand out from other applicants. In other words: why you, why your idea, why now and why Hoover? Using a webcam, cell phone, or video camera, please record yourself presenting your response. All videos should be titled with your full name. Maximum size is 100 MB. Preferred formats are MP4 and MOV. We will only view videos that are up to 2 minutes in length. Please send your compressed video or its link via email to hoovervfp@stanford.edu.
IMPORTANT DATES
DATE
DEADLINE
February 10, 2023
Veteran Fellowship Program Application Open
March 27, 2023
Application Close
April 28, 2023
Notification of Acceptance
June 6-9, 2023*
Program Launch/Module 1
September 20-21, 2023
Roll Call
November 7-10, 2023*
Module 2
January / February 2024* (date TBD)
Module 3
April, 2024* (date TBD)
Module 4
*In-person activity at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University campus
CONFIRMATION OF RECEIPT
You will receive a confirmation of receipt by email within 72 hours of submitting your application. If you have questions about the status of your application, contact hoovervfp@stanford.edu.
View Veteran Fellows by Year
Image: 1/11 Veteran Fellow, Nick Mastronardi
Image: 2/11 Veteran Fellows Iron Mike Steadman and Mary Kate Soliva
Image: 3/11 Senior Fellow H.R. McMaster
Image: 4/11 Veteran Fellow Megan Andros
Image: 5/11 Veteran Fellows Dave Winnacker and Donnie Hasseltine with design educator, Thomas Both, from Stanford d.school
Image: 6/11 Veteran Fellow Mary Kate Soliva with Senior Fellow Larry Diamond and Research Fellow Ayaan Hirsi Ali
Image: 7/11 Veteran Fellow Bob Murray with Senior Fellow John Taylor
Image: 8/11 Senior Fellow Niall Ferguson
Image: 9/11 Deputy Director Eric Wakin and Senior Fellow John Cogan
Image: 10/11 Veteran Fellow Pete Koizol
Image: 11/11 Distinguished Policy Fellow in Journalism Bill Whalen
