2026 Kuehn Excellence in Security and Service Scholarship

2026 Kuehn Excellence in Security and Service Scholarship
About Rick Kuehn

Rick Kuehn has served as a member of the Leadership Initiatives board since 2012 where he has worked tirelessly to expand internship opportunities for students interested in the fields of security, intelligence, and the armed forces.

Rick’s career has taken him all over the world, as a logistician, pilot, military officer, humanitarian, project engineer, executive, and more. He managed an engineering consulting start-up in Manhattan, led a water supply project in Kipingi, Kenya with Engineers Without Borders, responded to disasters with the American Red Cross in Greater New York, commanded an Air Force rapid-response team that responds to humanitarian and other emergencies, and led strategic level planning teams working directly for decision makers at the 4-Star level and above.

Rick earned a BA in history and a BE in computer engineering from Stevens Tech, an International Business MBA from the University of South Carolina, and a Masters in Military Studies from Marine Corps University.
Scholarship Purpose: The Kuehn Excellence in Security and Service Scholarship aims to further Rick’s efforts to expand educational opportunities to students interested in national security and international relations. The scholarship is designed to support and empower high school students who share Rick’s commitment to address the complex challenges of today’s security landscape.

Eligibility: The Kuehn Excellence in Security and Service Scholarship is open to top rising freshmen and graduating seniors who are interested in pursuing a career in business.

Deadline: The Kuehn Excellence in Security and Service Scholarship applications must be received no later than December 5th, 2025, to be considered. All scholarship recipients will be announced on January 15th, 2026.

Scholarship Award: The Kuehn Excellence in Security and Service Scholarship will award one full scholarship for the Leadership Initiatives National Security & Diplomacy Internship from July 26th – August 1st, 2026. The Kuehn Excellence in Security and Service Scholarship Fund will also award ten partial scholarships to promising students to attend the internship program.

Scholarship Application Components
- Student information
- Personal statement, approximately one to two pages detailing:
  1. Your academic interests
  2. Your future education plans
  3. How your future aspirations align with the goals of global security, protecting civilians, and maintaining peace abroad
Applicant Information
Student Name*

First NameLast Name
Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Student Personal Email*
example@example.com
Student phone number*
Parent or Guardian Name*

First NameLast Name
Parent or Guardian Email*
example@example.com
School Information & Security Club Participation
Current Grade*
High School Name*
Link to High School Website*
Graduation Year*
If you receive the scholarship, would you be available and willing to attend the National Security & Intelligence Internship?*

Yes, I would be able and willing to travel to Washington DC for the National Security & Intelligence Internship from July 26th – August 1st, 2026.No, I would not be able and willing to travel to Washington DC for the National Security & Intelligence Internship.
The Kuehn Excellence in Security and Service Scholarship does not include travel to and from Georgetown University.*

Yes, I understand that travel will not be included in the scholarship and my family will be able to cover the cost of the travel to and from Georgetown University.Unfortunately my family will not be able to cover the cost of the travel to and from Georgetown University.
Do you participate in any security or foreign policy clubs at your school?*

Speech and DebateMock TrialYoung Democrats of AmericaYoung Republicans of AmericaYouth in GovernmentModel United NationsJunior Reserve Officers' Training CorpsGirls Who CodeCyberPatriotOther
Name of Speech and Debate Advisor*

First NameLast Name
Email of Speech and Debate Advisor *
example@example.com
Name of Mock Trial Advisor*

First NameLast Name
Email of Mock Trial Advisor *
example@example.com
Name of Young Democrats of America Advisor*

First NameLast Name
Email of Young Democrats of America Advisor *
example@example.com
Name of Young Republicans of America Advisor*

First NameLast Name
Email of Young Republicans of America Advisor *
example@example.com
Name of Youth in Government Advisor*

First NameLast Name
Email of Youth in Government Advisor *
example@example.com
Name of Model United Nations Advisor*

First NameLast Name
Email of Model United Nations Advisor *
example@example.com
Name of Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) Advisor*

First NameLast Name
Email of Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) Advisor *
example@example.com
Name of Girls Who Code Advisor*

First NameLast Name
Email of Girls Who Code Advisor *
example@example.com
Name of CyberPatriot Advisor*

First NameLast Name
Email of CyberPatriot Advisor *
example@example.com
Name of Organization*
Supervisor/Advisor/Mentor Name*

First NameLast Name
Supervisor/Advisor/Mentor Email*
Personal Statement
Below is a sample personal statement of a Kuehn Excellence in Security and Service Scholarship applicant. Please use this sample as an example of formatting for your personal statement.
Approximately one to two pages detailing:
1. Your academic interests
2. Your future education plans
3. How your future aspirations align with the goals of global security, protecting civilians, and maintaining peace abroad
File Upload*

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I understand that the 2026 Kuehn Excellence in Security and Service Scholarship can only be used to attend the Leadership Initiatives National Security & Intelligence Internship held at Georgetown University from July 26th – August 1st, 2026. This scholarship can not be transferred to any other program or institution or be requested as a payment.

All applications received after the deadline of December 5th, 2025, will not be considered to receive this scholarship. Decisions will be made by the Leadership Initiatives Scholarship Committee and will be announced on January 15th, 2026.
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2026 Kuehn Excellence in Security and Service Scholarship

Applicant Information

School Information & Security Club Participation

Personal Statement