The Olmsted Foundation selects the finest young military officers to become Olmsted Scholars. Top candidates show an aptitude for leadership and the qualities that accompany it: self-discipline, drive, a spirit of adventure, and a history of personal achievement.
To be eligible, candidates must be active duty officers in the US Armed Forces, have at least 3 years of commissioned service, and have no more than 11 to 13.5 years of total active federal military service (depending on specific military branch). They must also demonstrate outstanding performance and serve primarily in operational career fields. Eligibility requirements differ slightly from Service to Service. Please see our Eligibility Requirements page for more details.
The selection process is as follows:
The Olmsted Foundation traditionally selects 15 to 20 Scholars each year, distributed between all six Services. Candidates who are not selected to become a Scholar may reapply if they are within the eligibility window.
Officers interested in applying to become an Olmsted Scholar may do so through their respective personnel headquarters. The Olmsted Foundation does not solicit or process Olmsted Scholar Program applications directly.
Services nominate their top finalists to the Olmsted Foundation on an annual basis after designated screening boards review the applicants from each Service.
For more information, please contact your respective service point of contact listed below:
It is critical to assemble the application package and complete your dossier by the deadlines imposed for each specific Service Screening Board process. Historically, the Army requires applications in July-August, the Navy in August-September, the Air Force in August, the Space Force in September-October, and the Coast Guard in May-June. The Marine Corps uses its annual Commandant’s Career-Level Education Board and Commandant’s Professional Intermediate-level Education Board to screen and nominate candidates.
While the Foundation makes every attempt to assign Scholars to one of their top preferred locations, an exact match is not always possible. However, the Foundation will not select a Scholar for a country for which he or she is not a volunteer. The Foundation normally does not assign two Scholars to the same city at the same time. To view current locations not open to the next Olmsted Scholar class, click here.
University application and registration is the responsibility of the Scholar. The Foundation only guarantees full tuition support to universities selected by the Scholar and approved by the Foundation.
Scholars are expected to study liberal arts taught in the host-nation language; business or STEM programs will not be approved. However, the specific liberal arts major is at the discretion of the Scholar, with the Foundation’s concurrence. Olmsted Scholar candidates are expected to thoroughly research universities in their preferred cities to ensure that their undergraduate backgrounds will allow them to be accepted to and complete a master’s degree liberal arts program within the time overseas.