What is ACONA?

The Arms Control Negotiation Academy (ACONA) is a 12-month, high-level professional development program for a competitively selected cohort of rising international security experts and practitioners. The ambitious training curriculum addresses critical historical case studies, technological know-how, and advanced negotiation skills in the realm of arms control. Participants attend three negotiation boot camps, earn a Certificate in Arms Control Negotiation, and become part of the ACONA network of next-generation arms control negotiators.

Curriculum

The ACONA Fellowship Term is July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024.

ACONA Fellows will hone their negotiation techniques through immersive exercises; study arms control topics with preeminent experts; conduct joint research on pressing international security issues; and develop professional and interpersonal networks.

The Fellowship covers the cost of travel and accommodation at three immersive workshops (“boot camps”). It is our goal to hold at least one of three boot camps in person in Reykjavík, Iceland.

• History, Technology, Negotiation: Experienced scholars and practitioners will meet with ACONA Fellows and discuss the history and politics of arms control, new technological challenges, and crucial negotiation skills and techniques.

• Immersive ​Training: Each boot camp will include an immersive training exercise that enables ACONA Fellows to hone their negotiation skills in an international security scenario.

• Collaborative Research: ACONA Fellows will collaborate outside the boot camps on an innovative research project on arms control negotiation. Fellows will collaborate in ways that are complementary in terms of their interests and expertise. ACONA partners will disseminate the findings through their networks to impact the ongoing arms control debate.

Requirements

ACONA Fellows are selected through a competitive process. To successfully complete the program, Fellows are required to:

• participate in the three immersive workshops (“boot camps”) over the course of twelve months,
• actively engage in discussions with distinguished scholars and practitioners, and
• ​collaborate with a small group of Fellows on an international research project and submit the results of that project by the end of their 12-month Fellowship.

Eligibility

ACONA welcomes applications from highly qualified candidates who demonstrate 3-5 years of advanced professional or research experience in one of the following broad fields:

• Arms control and nuclear issues;
• Negotiation and mediation;
• International peace, security, and global affairs, particularly U.S.-Russia-China-EU relations.

International experience, advanced degree(s), and public recognition of achievements desirable. 

How to Apply

​The call for applications for the 2023-2024 ACONA Fellowship Cohort is currently open and closes on May 12, 2023, 11:59pm EDT (Saturday, May 13, 2023, 03:59am UTC):



The following application documents must be submitted to acona@fas.harvard.edu by May 13, 2023, 03:59am UTC:

• Motivation letter (1-2 pages) that documents passion for arms control, negotiation, and/or international peace and security. In your letter, please state that you have reviewed the curriculum and requirements, confirm that you intend to participate in all parts of the 12-month ACONA program, and explain what you would bring to the ACONA community.

• CV/resume (max. 5 pages) that reflects relevant experience.

• Letter of recommendation that highlights exceptional relevant work.

Partners

The Arms Control Negotiation Academy (ACONA) is an international and multi-institutional collaboration led by and hosted at the Negotiation Task Force at Harvard University’s Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, in collaboration with the Woodrow Wilson Center's History and Public Policy Program, Höfði Reykjavík Peace Centre, Peace Research Institute Frankfurt, the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, and the Project on Managing the Atom at Harvard University's Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs.