- Academics
- Fellowships
- Courses
- Training
- Internships, Scholarships, and GRAs
- Younger Students
- Resources
About
CNS is located at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, a graduate school of Middlebury College.
CNS strives to combat the spread of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) by training the next generation of nonproliferation specialists and disseminating timely information and analysis. It is the largest nongovernmental organization in the United States devoted exclusively to research and training on nonproliferation issues.
Apply
- Internships, Scholarships, and GRAs | Higher Education
- Visiting Fellowships | Working Professionals and Higher Education
- Summer Undergraduate Fellowship Program | High School Students
- Critical Issues Forum (CIF) | High School Students
Academics
- MA in Nonproliferation and Terrorism Studies (NPTS): The Middlebury Institute of International Studies NPTS degree is focused on building the skills you need to work professionally to curtail the spread of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and threats from violent extremism and financial crimes.
- Certificate in Nonproliferation Studies: Earn a certificate in as little as one semester.
- Dual Degree with Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO): Earn both a Master’s in Nonproliferation and Terrorism Studies from the Middlebury Institute and a Master’s in International Affairs from MGIMO, one of Russia’s most prestigious and internationally respected educational institutions.
Upcoming Fellowships
Applications for CNS International Visiting Fellows program
Fall 2021 fellows
CNS offers a prestigious international Visiting Fellows program aimed at full-time professionals with demonstrated interests and engagement in WMD nonproliferation, disarmament and arms control fields, including nuclear, biological, and chemical safety, security and public safety.
Visiting Fellows are typically selected from emerging and developing countries, and could include diplomats, experts, and officials from national governments; experts from think tanks, academia, and industry; researchers/scientists/engineers; university instructors, and other related professionals.
The program is offered on location at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies (MIIS) in Monterey, CA during the Spring semester (early February to mid-May) and again in the Fall (early September to mid-December). Qualified candidates should submit applications by March 31 for the Fall program, and by September 15 for the Spring program.
- The program is designed to assist junior and mid-career policy and technical professionals to obtain an in-depth understanding of legal, political, regional, and technical aspects of WMD nonproliferation.
- Develop the skills necessary to have a positive impact on arms control and nonproliferation policy in their respective countries and in the international arena.
Upcoming Courses
View the full list of upcoming and recent courses.
Tuition-Free Nuclear Safeguards Course and Paid Summer Internships in International Nuclear Safeguards Policy
Applicants must either be a currently enrolled graduate student or a young professional in the nuclear nonproliferation field.
Now accepting applications for 2024 Spring Visiting Fellows program
Applications for the Spring 2024 program will be accepted between August 1 and September 30, 2023.Paid Summer Internships in International Nuclear Safeguards Policy
Applications deadline is March 11, 2022 – tuition-free International Nuclear Safeguards Policy Course and paid internships at the Lawrence Livermore National Lab.
Featured Course Reports
CNS Summer Undergraduate Fellows Share Research Projects at Event with Major Supporters
The projects were driven by high-quality research methodologies and innovative studies, resulting in original perspectives and engaging presentations.
CNS Co-Hosted a U.S. Technical Exchange for Women in Nuclear Fields from Black Sea and Central Asia
The groups met stakeholders in U.S. policy and nuclear security science in Washington DC and New Mexico. They discussed recent developments and shared practices for promoting DEIA policies with U.S. peers.
MIIS/MANPTS Alumnus Hideo Asano Strives to Join Forces for Nuclear Abolition
This new group is aiming to persuade the Japanese government to sign and ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) by the year 2030.
2024 CIF Spring Conference Report
High school students and teachers from Japan and the United States discuss ways to advance nuclear disarmament through youth education.
Intersection of Racial Justice and Nuclear Disarmament
CNS and MIIS student council DEI committee cohost the BIPOC speaker series event featuring Dr. Vincent Intondi.
U.S. Hosts Regional Maritime Sanctions Enforcement Workshop in Manila
CNS and VERTIC with the U.S. Department of State, delivered a workshop for customs, coast guard, and legal officials from the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Taiwan to enforce maritime sanctions.
CNS Washington, DC Residential Program on North Korea Sanctions
CNS reengaged eight countries on implementation of sanctions, particularly due to the changes in North Korean sanctions evasion during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Critical Issues Forum Teachers and Bread Loaf Teacher Network Meeting on Disarmament and Nonproliferation Education
The goal of the Teachers Retreat was to expand and solidify the disarmament and nonproliferation educator network in the United States.
The Power of VR and Storytelling: Building Empathy for a Nuclear Weapons Free World
Critical Issues Forum 7th Speaker Series: The risk of nuclear weapons is as great as it has been since the end of the Cold War, making this Speaker Series topic extremely timely.
US-Black Sea Nonproliferation Professionals Exchange: US Module
Participants from six countries fostered ties between US and Black Sea technical and policy communities with tours of both of the National Laboratories, nuclear science museums, and Washington DC.
Training
- Certificate in Nonproliferation Studies: Designed for professional training in the control, reduction, and elimination of weapons of mass destruction (including chemical, nuclear, and biological weapons).
- Young Women in Nonproliferation Initiative: Featuring articles, learning tools, and resources for women who are interested in stopping the spread of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and is part of a larger effort to inspire more women within higher education to WMD-related research and careers.
- New Tools for Verification Research and Analysis (PDF): Satellite imagery, 3D modeling, geospatial data, new media, and virtual reality applications.
Internships, Scholarships, and GRAs
- Internships & Fellowships
- Scholarships at The Middlebury Institute: CNS is a research center at The Middlebury Institute, that offers a variety of competitive scholarships toward our master’s programs for both U.S. and international students.
- Graduate Research Assistant (GRA): Work-study positions reserved ONLY for MIIS students currently enrolled in classes.
Younger Students
Participants of 2019
Summer Undergraduate Fellowship Program
Participants in the program conduct research on issues related to the spread and control of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), including: nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, and regional security issues in the former Soviet Union, Eurasia, East Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East. Interns may also develop their own research projects under the guidance of senior CNS faculty. The training program starts in June and continues for two to three months. Undergraduate programs include the Summer Undergraduate Nonproliferation Internship and the Davis United World College Fellowship in Nonproliferation.
Critical Issues Forum for High Schools
The CIF program is designed to promote awareness of nonproliferation and disarmament issues as well as develop critical thinking skills among high school students from around the world, including the United States, Japan and Russia, through educational outreach activities. Through the program, students develop appreciation and understanding of different national and cultural perspectives on complex but vital international security issues.
Resources & Tools
For Educators
- Teaching Tools for Professors
- CIF Conference: High School Teachers participating in the conference are also trained in the supporting workshops
- Applying New Tools to Nonproliferation: A Nuclear Detective Story
Fundamentals
Research by CNS for the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI)
- NTI Education Tutorials: The tutorials were made to build understanding among a new generation of experts and leaders on these often complex issues. The interactive tutorials include overviews of key issues, a glossary, maps, quizzes and more.
- Countries: Overviews of each country’s nuclear, chemical, biological, and missile programs as well as participation in treaties and regimes
- Treaties & Regimes: Includes full text documents, country memberships, an analytical overview, and a chronology tracking ongoing work and related developments. All entries are updated regularly, as events warrant.
- Facilities: Nuclear, chemical, biological, and missile facilities of the countries profiled on the NTI website, often including locations on a Google map.
- Glossary: Commonly used terms in nonproliferation and disarmament studies.
Topics of Interest
Research by CNS for the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI)
- Missile Test Database: Interactive visuals, expert analysis, and raw data concerning ballistic missile and satellite launch vehicle (SLV) launches by North Korea and Iran. The databases are routinely updated. Additional countries may be added in future.
North Korea | India and Pakistan - Global Trafficking Database: Nuclear and other radioactive material that has been lost, stolen, or is otherwise out of regulatory control. (Free and open access information)
Resource Collections
Research by CNS for the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI)
- 3D Missile Model Collection: Interact with 3D models of ballistic and cruise missiles, organized by country.
- Civilian HEU Reduction and Elimination Resource Collection: Read research that tracks global civil highly enriched uranium (HEU) holdings, discusses common applications and alternatives, and profiles countries that produce, utilize, or export civil HEU. Included are details of domestic and international efforts designed to address civil HEU security, and remaining implementation challenges.
- Nuclear Disarmament Resource Collection: Find information and analysis of nuclear weapons disarmament proposals and progress worldwide, including detailed coverage of disarmament progress in countries who either possess or host other countries’ nuclear weapons on their territories.
- Submarine Proliferation Resource Collection: Discover the submarine capabilities and imports/exports of select countries around the world. The main focus is on technological improvements to global submarine fleets, such as the spread of nuclear propulsion and Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technologies, which increases the capability of submarines to deliver weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Also tracked is conventional submarine proliferation in potential global flashpoints, particularly the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. See also: 3D Submarine Model Collection
- UNSCR 1540 Resource Collection: Read about Resolution 1540, which requires all states to implement measures aimed at preventing non-state actors from acquiring nuclear, biological or chemical weapons, related materials, and their means of delivery.
