The Hoover Institution International Seminar (HIIS) is a seven-day in-person seminar for international foreign policy and defense policy professionals. HIIS brings international government, military, and private sector leaders together with leading scholars and policy makers in the United States. The purpose of the seminar is to foster common understanding of the most significant challenges and opportunities our nations face and to generate ideas about how we can work together to overcome those challenges, exploit opportunities, and build a better future. HIIS is growing a network of individuals from different countries who are aligned around common interests and values.
Three main assumptions under the seminar program:
First, multinational cooperation among free and open societies is essential for maintaining the political and economic orders foundational to security and prosperity.
Second, calls to refurbish the “liberal international order,” often overlook the fundamental component of that order: a group of states and networks of individuals committed to working together, solving common problems, and acting on opportunities.
Third, solutions to most global problems—whether geopolitical, economic, or humanitarian—require coalitions of actors at the country level.
SEMINAR DESCRIPTION
The program is on the campus of Stanford University from June 21 through June 27, 2026. Participants will meet virtually prior to the seminar and will be expected to do some advance preparation. Participants arrive at the seminar prepared to engage with specific case studies, lead discussions, and make presentations. The seminar features prominent experts who will lecture and lead discussions on specific topics related to economics and technology; national security and defense; politics and democracy; and foreign policy. Final policy briefings will take place at the end of the seminar. After the seminar, remain engaged with colleagues and the Hoover Institution to foster sustained international cooperation.
APPLICATION PROCESS
The call for applications will open in October 2025 and close on February 1, 2026 at 11:59 p.m PDT. Applicants will be expected to submit a cover letter of stated interest, a short essay on a common problem shared by countries, a letter of recommendation, and a short video in English that provides a description of a policy problem. Applications will be sought from mid-career foreign and defense policy professionals.
Applications will be processed as they are received, so applicants are encouraged to submit applications well before the deadline. Applicants will be alerted of final decisions by March 2nd, 2026.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Only those who meet the following requirements should move forward with this application:
· Applicant must be working as a foreign policy or national security professional in their respective country for at least five years.
· Applicant must be able to write, prepare, and deliver presentations in English.
· Applicant must attend virtual sessions and complete the assignments in the lead-up to the in-person seminar.
· Applicants must attend in person for the entire seminar.
Your registered name and email will be used for this application. To change this information, you can edit your profile from the menu in the upper-right corner.
International Seminar Program
The Hoover Institution International Seminar (HIIS) is a seven-day in-person seminar for international foreign policy and defense policy professionals. HIIS brings international government, military, and private sector leaders together with leading scholars and policy makers in the United States. The purpose of the seminar is to foster common understanding of the most significant challenges and opportunities our nations face and to generate ideas about how we can work together to overcome those challenges, exploit opportunities, and build a better future. HIIS is growing a network of individuals from different countries who are aligned around common interests and values.
Three main assumptions under the seminar program:
First, multinational cooperation among free and open societies is essential for maintaining the political and economic orders foundational to security and prosperity.
Second, calls to refurbish the “liberal international order,” often overlook the fundamental component of that order: a group of states and networks of individuals committed to working together, solving common problems, and acting on opportunities.
Third, solutions to most global problems—whether geopolitical, economic, or humanitarian—require coalitions of actors at the country level.
SEMINAR DESCRIPTION
The program is on the campus of Stanford University from June 21 through June 27, 2026. Participants will meet virtually prior to the seminar and will be expected to do some advance preparation. Participants arrive at the seminar prepared to engage with specific case studies, lead discussions, and make presentations. The seminar features prominent experts who will lecture and lead discussions on specific topics related to economics and technology; national security and defense; politics and democracy; and foreign policy. Final policy briefings will take place at the end of the seminar. After the seminar, remain engaged with colleagues and the Hoover Institution to foster sustained international cooperation.
APPLICATION PROCESS
The call for applications will open in October 2025 and close on February 1, 2026 at 11:59 p.m PDT. Applicants will be expected to submit a cover letter of stated interest, a short essay on a common problem shared by countries, a letter of recommendation, and a short video in English that provides a description of a policy problem. Applications will be sought from mid-career foreign and defense policy professionals.
Applications will be processed as they are received, so applicants are encouraged to submit applications well before the deadline. Applicants will be alerted of final decisions by March 2nd, 2026.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Only those who meet the following requirements should move forward with this application:
· Applicant must be working as a foreign policy or national security professional in their respective country for at least five years.
· Applicant must be able to write, prepare, and deliver presentations in English.
· Applicant must attend virtual sessions and complete the assignments in the lead-up to the in-person seminar.
· Applicants must attend in person for the entire seminar.
Your registered name and email will be used for this application. To change this information, you can edit your profile from the menu in the upper-right corner.