How to Apply
How to Apply to the Kevin and Cynthia O'Brien Undergraduate Program in International Security
The Kevin and Cynthia O'Brien Undergraduate Program in International Security allows for you to apply to either the O’Brien Center (ONDISC) Undergraduate Fellows Program or the interdisciplinary International Security Studies Minor.
Applications for the fellows program are currently closed, we encourage interested students to apply during the next application cycle in fall 2026. In the meantime, students who would like to remain engaged with the program are encouraged to apply to the ISS Minor.
Are you ready to enroll into the International Security Studies Minor? Ask your academic advisor or one of the ISS Co-Directors (Professors Dan Lindley and Ian Johnson) to initiate a curriculum change eForm today!
Eligibility
The O’Brien Center Undergraduate Fellows Program is designed for political science majors and other interested students at Notre Dame who are able to complete all of the requirements, including a two-semester thesis. Many of our courses count toward the political science major. If you are not a political science or related major, or would prefer a more interdisciplinary program, consider our International Security Studies Minor, open to Notre Dame students in any program of study.
GPA requirement
The O’Brien Center Fellows Program is a competitive program. 3.84 is the current requirement for minimum cum laude honors.
We understand that GPAs often increase over time and that some students face challenges along the way. Students whose GPA is below cum laude may submit an additional paragraph to their statement of interest justifying their current GPA and explaining why it will improve.
GPA must be submitted via University of Notre Dame transcript, so Fellows Program applicants must have completed at least one semester at Notre Dame prior to applying.
There is no GPA requirement for the minor.
Application
For the Spring 2026 term, the Undergraduate Fellows Program is no longer accepting applications. We encourage interested students to apply until next Fall. In the meantime, please review the requirements as this is a competitive program. When applicantion reopen next fall and you have verified your eligibility, please complete the online application. The ONDISC faculty will review your application and be in contact with you regarding next steps.
For the International Security Studies Minor, make sure you also review the requirements for this academic program. After that, all you need to do to enroll is to meet with your academic advisor to submit a curriculum change eForm to add the "International Security Studies (ISS-POLS)" minor!