The program earned national recognition after its debut. The inaugural 2025 cohort was recognized among the U.S. Department of State’s 2025 Diplomatic Wins—a distinction that reflects the program’s standing as a meaningful investment in global security cooperation.

“It is an honor to have been selected as a host site for this prestigious program that will bring professionals from around the world to tackle a vexing global issue and national priority,” says Steven Lux ’97 M.P.A., director of Executive Education. “Based on last years’ experience, we anticipate another true exchange of ideas and perspectives.”

Funded by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State and administered by the Institute of International Education, the fellowship is part of the Fulbright Program and provides executive-level training for senior foreign leaders who shape policy in areas critical to U.S. interests.

The 2026 program is structured around three components. An academic seminar Aug. 17-21 will bring Maxwell faculty and expert practitioners together for sessions on synthetic drug production trends, illicit financing and cryptocurrency tracking, interdiction technologies, forensic analysis, and legal frameworks for drug precursor control. Professional placements Aug. 24-26 will embed fellows with law enforcement agencies, forensic laboratories, financial intelligence firms and interagency task forces at high intensity drug trafficking areas across the country.

The program concludes with four days in Washington, D.C., during which fellows will meet with policymakers and practitioners at the State Department and other federal agencies engaged in drug control and international cooperation.

Fellows represent countries from Central Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East, the Pacific Islands, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa. They hold leadership responsibilities in areas including border protection, drug enforcement, public policy, forensic science, law enforcement, prosecution and international investigations.