FY25 Artificial Intelligence Phantom Fellowship Call for Applicants

1. Purpose. This message announces the availability and application 
requirements for the August 2025 USMC Cohort 4/DAF Cohort 14 
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Phantom Fellowship program.  

2. Background. The Deputy Commandant for Information (DC I), Service
Data Office (SDO), in partnership with the Department of the 
Airforce (DAF), is sending Marines to the Massachusetts Institute of 
Technology (MIT) for a rigorous AI education fellowship. The program 
is designed to make fundamental advancements in AI to improve 
operations while addressing broader progress in the field of AI. The 
cohorts are comprised of interdisciplinary teams, including Marines 
and Airmen, who collaborate across disparate fields of AI to create 
new algorithms, technologies, and solutions.  

3. Use Case Identification. An UNCLASS command sponsored, actionable 
AI use case, with associated data identified, is a pre-requisite for
all applications to ensure candidates can begin work immediately and 
maximize their time in the program. This use case will be submitted 
in the application. 

4. Program Structure. Phantoms will be under operational control 
(OPCON) to the AIA for the duration of the program and will be 
expected to telework daily. The USMC will select no more than three 
Marines to participate in each cohort, which lasts 5 months and 
includes three unit funded temporary additional duty (TAD) trips to 
the main MIT campus in Boston. Dates for the TAD trips for the 
upcoming cohort are as follows: TAD 1 – 10 to 15 August 2025; 
TAD 2 – 02 to 07 November 2025; TAD 3 – 11 to 16 January 2026. 
There are no costs for sponsoring commands associated with 
participation other than approximately $5k to cover TAD. Marines who 
are selected to participate should remain remote throughout its 
duration. As a requirement for successful graduation, participants 
must produce a publishable, quality research paper based on their 
capstone project. For more information, please visit the official 
Phantom program website at: https:(slash)(slash)aia.mit.edu . 

5. Application Process. Applications must be received NLT 16 June 
2025. Requests to submit late or incomplete applications will be 
disapproved without exception. Candidates must meet program 
requirements in accordance with paragraph 6 at the time of 
submission, regardless of their personal situation or deployment 
status. Candidates who do not meet the requirements are ineligible 
and must apply to a future cohort once the requirements are met. 
Candidates must provide a signed and dated letter of approval from 
the first O-6 in their command. Please fill out the application and 
submit all supporting materials for consideration via the following 
link: https:(slash)(slash)forms.osi.apps.mil/r/ajQVxsG7Lq.     

6. Eligibility Requirements. Marines and civilians must meet the 
following minimum eligibility requirements for consideration for the 
program: 
6.a. An UNCLASS command sponsored, actionable AI use case, with 
associated data identified, for solutioning by the selectee in the 
program. 
6.b. Rank/Grade: O1 - O4; E4 - E7; GS-3 through 13. 
6.c. Demonstrated experience of self-directing and exceling in a 
semi-unstructured environment. 
6.d. Be remote/telework capable (personal computer and internet 
connection is required throughout). 

7. Selection Authority. Submissions will be reviewed by the USMC 
Artificial Intelligence Working Group and assessed based on current 
priorities. No more than two Marines will be selected per cohort. 

8. Direct all questions to MARADMIN POCs. 

9. Release authorized by Lieutenant General M. G. Carter, 
Headquarters Marine Corps, Deputy Commandant for Information.