Virginia Tech School of Public and International Affairs

As breakthroughs in artificial intelligence (AI) and biotechnology outpace global governance, the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) and The Elders are launching a new intergenerational initiative to generate the ideas and leadership needed for a safer future against biological threats.

NTI and The Elders are pleased to invite applications for a high-level Intergenerational Dialogue that will focus on emerging technologies, pandemic preparedness, prevention, and response (PPR), and global biosecurity governance.

This dialogue will bring together early career professionals with senior global leaders to explore how technological innovation can strengthen health security while reducing catastrophic biological risks.

Building on NTI’s Next Generation for Biosecurity project and The Elders’ leadership on pandemic prevention and global cooperation, this initiative will foster candid exchange across generations, elevate diverse perspectives, and generate forward-looking ideas to inform global advocacy and policy priorities.

Intergenerational Dialogue

Rapid advances in emerging technologies — including AI, synthetic biology, and advanced laboratory automation — are reshaping both opportunities and risks across the life sciences. These tools have the potential to transform global pandemic preparedness and response, improve equitable access to medical countermeasures, and strengthen biosurveillance. At the same time, they raise urgent questions about biosecurity and biotechnology governance as barriers to misuse continue to erode.

This Intergenerational Dialogue will convene members of The Elders alongside a cohort of emerging biosecurity leaders to:

• Explore how emerging technologies can strengthen global pandemic PPR and reduce inequities in access to medical countermeasures, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
• Examine how innovation, especially at the intersection of AI and the life sciences, can both heighten and help mitigate biosecurity risks.
• Reflect on gaps, tradeoffs, and priorities for global governance frameworks as technologies evolve.
• Develop actionable ideas and recommendations that bridge technical expertise, policy considerations, equity, and public trust.

The dialogue will also include a focus on advocacy and storytelling, with the goal of translating complex biosecurity and pandemic preparedness challenges into compelling narratives that can mobilize political action.

Biosecurity Field Immersion

The cohort will also take part in a biosecurity field immersion — an additional learning experience designed to deepen technical understanding and foster international collaboration.

The field immersion will:

• Engage participants in site visits to leading biosecurity institutions, laboratories, and policy bodies, as well as structured discussions with UK-based biosecurity experts
• Provide interactive sessions focused on international biosecurity governance, emergency preparedness and response, and risk communication
• This immersion is intended to complement the Intergenerational Dialogue by grounding high-level discussions in real world practice, institutional experience, and operational challenges.

Who Should Apply

NTI encourages applications from students and early career professionals (i.e., less than five years of relevant work experience) working at the intersection of:

• Pandemic preparedness, prevention, and response
• Biosecurity, biosafety, or biotechnology governance
• Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, synthetic biology, or advanced laboratory systems
• Science and technology policy, global health, international security, or related fields

Applicants may come from government, academia, international organizations, civil society, industry, or the private sector. NTI is committed to selecting a cohort that reflects diverse regional, disciplinary, and professional perspectives, with attention to gender and geographic balance.

Format and Timing

• Location: United Kingdom
• Format: In-person, half-day intergeneration dialogue with the Elders and additional field immersion activities (approx. one week)
• Timing: Late October 2026

NTI will cover all travel and accommodation costs. Selected applicants must be able to participate in remote preparatory discussions (approximately once a month July – September), contribute to a framing paper, attend the in-person trip to the United Kingdom, and advance follow-up outputs.

Outputs and Opportunities

Following the dialogue, participants will:

• Contribute to the development of public-facing content (e.g., educational infographics, public‑facing explainer videos, op‑eds, social media graphics, fact sheets, public webinars, community outreach materials) that synthesize key insights and recommendations
• Engage with creative partners (e.g., storytellers, campaigners, or cultural organizers) to expand the reach and impact of these ideas
• Join a growing global network of Next Generation for Biosecurity leaders engaged in advancing responsible innovation and global norms against biological threats

Completion of these outputs will occur virtually between late October and December 2026. Participants will have opportunities to begin preparatory drafting and planning before the October dialogue.

Evaluation and Selection Process

The selection process will take place in three stages:

1. Application Review: All submitted applications will be reviewed to assess applicants’ experience, perspectives, and alignment with the goals of the intergenerational dialogue.
2. Virtual Interviews: A subset of applicants will be invited to participate in virtual interviews to further explore their interests and insights.
3. Final Selection: Following the interviews, a final cohort will be selected. Final selections will seek to balance technical expertise, policy insight, and geographic and gender diversity to ensure a rich and productive dialogue.

All applicants will be notified of selection decisions following the completion of the review process by late June 2026.

How To Apply

Interested individuals must complete the online application form, which includes short essay responses on pandemic preparedness, emerging technologies, biosecurity governance, and the value of intergenerational exchange.

• Application deadline: Sunday, May 3, 2026 at 11:59PM ET
• Application form: https://www.tfaforms.com/5213832

Please be aware that this application contains multiple essay-based questions and may take longer to complete than expected. We recommend setting aside sufficient time to craft your responses.

For questions about the application or this opportunity, please contact nti-bio@nti.org.