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Fellowship • Research • Collaboration • Dissemination • Commentary

Understanding the Cold War Through Scholarship, Testimony, and Public Engagement

The National Institute for Cold War Studies is a nonprofit research organization dedicated to advancing Cold War scholarship, preserving the personal testimonies of those who lived it, and connecting historians, veterans, educators, and the public.

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The Cold War shaped the modern world — yet much of its history remains unexamined, underrepresented, or inaccessible. NICWS brings together scholars, veterans, and researchers to preserve primary sources, produce serious scholarship, and make Cold War history available to a wide audience.

Scholarship

Research articles, publications, and historical analysis grounded in empirical evidence and rational conclusions.

Testimony Preservation

Collecting and archiving personal accounts from veterans, government personnel, and industry workers who experienced the Cold War firsthand.

Public Engagement

Educational resources, outreach events, and partnerships that bring Cold War history to historians, students, and the general public.

About NICWS

  • IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit historical research institute
  • Manuscript submitted to Routledge (January 2026) on the Reagan military buildup currently in production
  • Working relationship with the Fighter Pilot Podcast (121,000+ subscribers)
  • Cold War testimony archive currently under development as a permanent research resources
  • Public history initiatives include oral history collection events and educator resource development
  • Committed to elevating underrepresented regional perspectives and diverse historical methodologies

How NICWS Advances Cold War Scholarship

NICWS pursues its mission through five core institutional activities that connect researchers, preserve historical testimony, and share knowledge with a broad public.

Community and Fellowship

A professional home for historians of all backgrounds — academic, independent, and lay — built on collegial discourse and mentorship across regional and institutional lines.

Productive Collaboration

A platform for members to share research through blogs, podcasts, articles, and major publications, expanding the collective understanding of the Cold War.

Research and Collections

Active collection, analysis, and cataloging of primary and secondary sources, with particular emphasis on personal testimonies from Cold War participants.

Resource Distribution

Educational and research resources for students, educators, journalists, and policymakers — including research guides, timelines, and connections to partner institutions.

Cold War, Then and Now

A moderated forum where historians offer informed perspectives on the Cold War’s legacy and its relevance to contemporary affairs.

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