U.S. Marines gathered at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) in Monterey, California, August 11–14, to launch a new initiative in military innovation and education: the inaugural U.S. Marine Corps–Naval Postgraduate School Artificial Intelligence (AI) Fellowship.

Part of the implementation of the 2024 Marine Corps Artificial Intelligence Strategy, the fellowship is designed to accelerate AI adoption and development across the force by building a cadre of AI-literate Marines empowered with technical knowledge, practical experience, and operational insight.

“This fellowship leverages eager Marines knowledgeable about the Fleet’s modern and relevant issues, faculty experts, state-of-the-art facilities at Naval Postgraduate School, and the incomputable potential of artificial intelligence and machine learning,” said Dr. Christopher Paul, U.S. Marine Corps Chair for Information at NPS and lead organizer of the program.

The pilot cohort of Marines will spend five months immersed in AI education and applied research, splitting time between their home commands and the NPS campus. Through a mix of mentorship, coursework, and prototype development, each fellow will address a real-world challenge aligned to the needs of the Fleet Marine Force.

“Our goal is to optimize AI’s application across the force,” Paul said. “To do that, we need to grow the AI-proficient and literate population in the military, which this fellowship aims to do.”

The Marine Corps is committed to developing and deploying emerging technologies that give Marines the advantage in future conflicts. The USMC–NPS AI Fellowship is a concrete step toward equipping warfighters with tools and knowledge to operate in an increasingly digital battlespace.

While the pilot program is currently limited to Marines, future iterations aim to expand participation to include service members from other branches of the Joint Force.

The fellowship reflects the Marine Corps’ broader commitment to education, innovation, and preparing for the complex challenges of the modern operating environment.

Information on future fellowship opportunities will be announced via Marine Corps administrative message.

For inquiries regarding the pilot program, contact: Capt. Stephanie Baer, Communication Strategy Officer, Deputy Commandant for Information, stephanie.baer@usmc.mil.