The Harding Fellowship

Four military personnel in uniform pose by the Jayhawk statue, mascot of the University of Kansas. A brick building and a sign reading 'The University of Kansas' are visible in the background. The image highlights a connection between the military and the university, under a clear blue sky.

CPT Matt Becker, CPT Jared Petersen, CPT Steven Denaro, and CPT Thepnakone "Tommy" Souimaniphanh, pose with a Jayhawk statue at the University of Kansas during their orientation visit Feb. 24, 2025. The four individuals are the second group of Harding Fellows. Their cohort is the first to experience the expanded broadening opportunity that includes a civilian master's degree program. (Photo Credit: Sarah Hauck)

The Harding Fellowship is a competitive, three-year broadening opportunity for Army leaders who combine operational excellence with a passion for ideas, communication, and professional development.

Established as an initiative of the Chief of Staff of the Army, the Fellowship selects talented captains, master sergeants, and chief warrant officers to serve as editors-in-chief of the Army’s branch journals. Fellows begin their journey with a fully funded year of graduate study, earning a Master of Science in Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Kansas. They then serve for two years at their respective Center of Excellence, leading the editorial direction of their branch’s professional journal.

Harding Fellows carry forward the legacy of Maj. Gen. Edwin “Forrest” Harding, who revitalized Infantry Journal during the interwar years and helped reestablish the journal as an essential platform for Army thought. Like Harding, today’s Fellows work to ensure Army journals are relevant, accessible, and grounded in the needs of the force.

A Fellowship in Three Phases

  • Graduate Study (Year One):

    Fellows attend an intensive, in-residence graduate program at the University of Kansas’ William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications. The curriculum strengthens analytical thinking, writing, and editorial skills—preparing Fellows to lead Army publications with professional rigor and creativity.

  • Editorial Leadership (Years Two and Three):

    After graduation, Fellows report to their assigned Center of Excellence to serve as the full-time editor-in-chief of their branch journal. They work directly for their branch commandant, shaping the journal’s content and driving professional discourse within their community.

  • Return to the Field:

    After their Fellowship, participants return to the force with sharpened communication skills and deep familiarity with the most pressing issues in their branches—well-equipped to lead, influence, and innovate.

Eligibility

The Harding Fellowship is open to active-duty:

  • Captains who have completed their Captains Career Course
  • Master Sergeants
  • Chief Warrant Officers 4

Applicants must have:

  • A bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA
  • No Army-funded graduate degree at the time of application
  • A specialty in a participating branch for the given cycle

Participating Branches (2026 Cohort)

The following branches will nominate fellows in the 2026 application cycle:

  • Protection (Chemical, Engineer, Military Police) – Fort Leonard Wood, MO
  • Armor – Fort Moore, GA
  • Army Communicator (Signal and Cyber) – Fort Eisenhower, GA
  • Aviation – Fort Novosel, AL
  • Pulse of Army Medicine (Medical Service, Medical Corps, and other specialties) – Joint Base San Antonio, TX
  • Field Artillery – Fort Sill, OK

Participating branches rotate each year to align with the structure of the Army’s professional journal ecosystem.

How to Apply

The official application window opens each summer through the Army’s Broadening Opportunities Program, published by Human Resources Command. Selectees will begin graduate study in May 2026 and assume their editorial roles in summer 2027.

Applicants must also apply to and be accepted by the University of Kansas graduate program separately, in accordance with university admission requirements.

For the most up-to-date application information:

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