NATIONAL SECURITY & SEPARATION OF POWERS
SUMMER PROGRAM
PRAGUE, CZECHIA (CZECH REPUBLIC)
JULY 6 – 18, 2025
Applications are currently OPEN
About the Program:
The National Security Institute at George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia Law School is hosting its eighth annual summer program abroad – this year in Prague, Czechia – with U.S. Supreme Court Justice Neil M. Gorsuch. Students will learn about the historical roots and the modern application of the separation of powers in the national security context in two courses awarding a total of 2 credits.
Interbranch Conflicts in National Security: War, Intelligence, and Negotiations – Taught by Professor Jamil N. Jaffer
Separation of Powers – Taught by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Neil M. Gorsuch
The Separation of Powers course will examine the philosophical doctrines underlying the American approach to our system of governance, the constitutional pedigree of the separation of powers, and the understanding of such separation by the framers, as well the application of separation of powers principles in the modern era, including in the administrative state and national security contexts. The Interbranch Conflicts course will analyze three-to-four case studies of conflicts between Congress and the President in national security, including disputes over war-making, surveillance and other counterterrorism efforts, and international agreements.
NSI also brings amazing national security experts and leading legal voices. Previous guests have included: US Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan; Susan M. Gordon, former Deputy Director of National Intelligence; Judge Patrick Bumatay of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals; Judge Jennifer Elrod of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals; Ellen McCarthy, former Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research; and Michael Mukasey, former US Attorney General.
The program is limited to 25 students. Applications are open for all 1L, 1E, 2L, 2E, 3E, and LLM students who will be studying at Scalia in Fall 2025/Spring 2026.
DUE DATE: MARCH 3, 2025 AT 11:59PM ET
APPLICATIONS ARE CURRENTLY OPEN
Cost of the Program (2025 Summer Program Estimated Costs):
Tuition: In-State: $1,776.00; Out-of-State: $2,926
Non-Tuition Costs: $3,800-$4,000 (Includes round-trip airfare, transportation to and from the airport, daily meals, and single-occupancy lodging).
Please note: The NSI Summer Program has been granted a waiver that allows students to use a portion of their scholarship to cover the two credits for the program. Additional information will be provided to students selected to attend the program. If you have any concerns, please direct all inquiries to [email protected].
NSI is also able to provide a small number of merit-based awards to help students to supplement travel and other expenses.
**Please note, discretionary travel, lodging, shopping, and other incidental expenses are not included. Additionally, the above costs are estimates and are subject to change.**
Informational Sessions:
NSI will hold two information sessions about this program.
Tuesday, January 28, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM via ZOOM, COMPLETED.
Tuesday, February 11, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM IN PERSON, Hazel Hall Room 329, COMPLETED
If you have any questions about the summer program, application, or info sessions, please reach out to [email protected]
To complete the summer program application please download and complete the following Grade Release Form. You will be asked to upload this document as part of the application.