The Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory's Future Technology Office (FTO) is soliciting nominations for the CY26 DARPA Service Chiefs' Fellowship Program (SCFP). The program embeds officers with DARPA for roughly 12 weeks, exposing them to emerging defense technology and connecting them with program managers across DoD. Fellows return to the Marine Corps as informal liaisons to DARPA. Previous applicants are not grandfathered in and must submit a new package.
Heads up: This is primarily an active duty program, but officers on active reserve status are eligible. The application deadline is 1 May 2026 for both available quarters.
Who it affects
Active duty Majors and Lieutenant Colonels in any MOS. Captains who are Major selects may apply if they are projected to promote before attendance. GS-14 and GS-15 civilians may be nominated, though active duty applicants get priority. Officers on active reserve status are also eligible per paragraph 8.
A few other gates to know:
- Minimum Secret clearance required; TS preferred
- At least a bachelor's degree required
- Must be competitive for promotion with solid operational experience
- Should not anticipate separation or retirement within three years of program completion
- If your expected rotation date falls before your requested quarter, coordinate with your monitor and get approval from your receiving command before applying
What you need to do
This is a sequential application process. Follow these steps in order:
- Complete an AA form (NAVMC 10274) with the address and subject line filled in as specified below.
- Assemble all required enclosures: military photo, military bio, undergraduate transcripts (unofficial accepted), graduate transcripts if applicable, and DAU transcripts if applicable.
- Fill in Block 12 with: a personal statement, up to three technology focus areas of interest, your preferred quarter(s) in priority order, primary and secondary MOS, current assignment and rotation date, security clearance level and adjudication date, deployment history, key billets held, degree info, and contact info. Include this statement verbatim:
"I do not anticipate resigning or retiring within three years of program completion." - Obtain an endorsement from the first Colonel (or higher) in your chain of command.
- Email the completed package to both POCs before the deadline.
AA form addressing:
Block 7 (To):
Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory
Attn: Future Technology Office
1000 Corporate Drive, Suite 200
Stafford VA 22554
Block 8 (Subject):
DARPA Service Chiefs Fellowship Program Application
POC contacts:
- Chandler B. Hirsch (CTR, MCWL FTO):
chandler.hirsch.ctr@usmc.mil/(571) 254-7249 - John E. Moore (CIV, MCWL FTO):
john.e.moore4@usmc.mil/(571) 254-7185
After the deadline, remaining spots may be filled on a space-available basis. Selections will be announced by MARADMIN.
Key dates
- 1 May 2026: Application deadline for both quarters
- QTR 3: 29 Jun to 16 Sep 2026 (Arlington, VA)
- QTR 4: 21 Sep to 16 Dec 2026 (Arlington, VA)
Applying for both quarters improves your odds of selection.
The official version
This guidance comes from MARADMIN 103/26. The program operates under a 2011 Memorandum of Agreement between CMC and DARPA. More on DARPA programs at www.darpa.mil.
This is written by a reservist, for reservists. It is not an official publication of HQMC or MARFORRES. Always verify guidance with your command or unit S-1 before acting on any article or summary.