The National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship

Description: The Department of Defense (DoD) is committed to increasing the number and quality of our nation's scientists and engineers. The DoD will offer fellowships to individuals who have demonstrated ability and special aptitude for advanced training in science and engineering. The target audience for the NDSEG Fellowship Program includes those who are at or near the beginning of their graduate study in science or engineering.
 
The National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowships will be awarded to applicants who will pursue a doctoral degree in, or closely related to, one of the following specialties: Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, Biosciences (includes toxicology), Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Cognitive, Neural, and Behavioral Sciences, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Geosciences (includes terrain, water, and air), Materials Science and Engineering, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering (includes undersea systems such as autonomous vehicles and other networked platforms), Oceanography (includes ocean acoustics, remote sensing, and marine meteorology), Physics (includes optics)
 
Dollar Value: The DoD will pay the Fellow's full tuition and required fees, In addition, Fellows will receive a stipend of $30,500 the first year, $31.000 the second year and $31,500 the third year.
 
Number of Scholarships: Approximately 200 new three-year graduate fellowships are awarded annually based upon available funding.
 
Eligibility:
  • Must be U.S. citizens or nationals.
  • NDSEG Fellowships are intended for students at or near the beginning of their graduate study in science or engineering. This means current seniors, current first year graduate students and those who have received their bachelor's degree but have not started graduate school.
  • Applicants must have received their bachelor's degrees by fall of application year.
  • Fellowships are tenable only at U.S. institutions of higher education offering doctoral degrees in the specified areas of science or engineering. Applicants do not have to have been accepted by such a graduate program at the time the application is submitted. In that case, information supplied should reflect a plan or preference at the time of submission. Should the applicant be selected, appointment will be contingent upon admission to a suitable graduate program.
 
Application Procedures: A complete fellowship application consists of the following elements: Master Personal Information Form (Parts 1 and 2); Official transcripts; Three Reference Evaluation Forms and; Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores (general test only). All applicants are encouraged to apply online.
 
Deadline: December 18, 2012
 
Contact:
NDSEG Fellowship Program
c/o American Society for Engineering Education
1818 N Street, N.W. #600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-331-3516
Fax: 202-265-8504
Email: ndseg@ascc.ora
 

Frequently asked questions

How can candidate find out if they are eligible for the National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship?
There are four eligibility requirements: citizenship, discipline, academic status, and the ability to accept the full benefit. Specific questions are grouped by requirement below. Applicants must meet all four requirements in order to be eligible. If there are further questions please contact the fellowship program at ndseg@asee.org.
 
Does a candidate have to be a citizen of the United States to apply?
The NDSEG Fellowship Program is open only to applicants who are citizens or nationals of the United States. The term "nationals" refers to native residents of a possession of the United States such as American Samoa. It does not refer to a citizen of another country who has applied for U.S. citizenship. Persons who hold permanent resident status are not eligible. Proof of citizenship will be required upon formal offer.
 
The candidate's field of study is under two or more disciplines, what discipline they apply under? The specific science or engineering specialty is not listed, should they apply?
The stated goal is to increase the number of U.S. citizens and nationals trained in scientific and engineering disciplines of military importance. The sponsors of the NDSEG Fellowship Program have interest in a broad range of disciplines, as well as specialties that combine multiple aspects, or lie at the borders of the listed disciplines. In general, NDSEG recommends selecting the discipline that most closely matches the course of study proposed to pursue in graduate school. For additional guidance, speak to the academic or research advisor and visit the websites of the sponsoring agencies. Applicants may also wish to review information regarding which disciplines are most competitive (see http://www.asee.org/fellowships/ndseg/preface.cfm#chances).
 
Are candidates eligible if they will not be pursuing a doctoral degree?
Applicants are required to enroll at a U.S. institution in a full-time graduate program leading to a doctoral degree in the discipline of study. Fellowships are awarded only to applicants who intend to pursue a doctoral degree. Accepted into a program at the time the application is submitted is not required; however, the award is contingent upon the applicant's admission to a suitable program.
 
Are candidates eligible if currently enrolled in a Master's program and will be starting a Ph.D. after completion of the Master's?
If applying while in the first or second year of a Master's program, then applicants are still considered eligible.
 
Are candidates eligible if enrolled in an M.D./Ph.D. program?
No, you are not eligible, as the applicant must be pursuing solely a Ph.D.
 
Can a portion of my tenure as a Fellow be spent at a non-U.S. institution?
The NDSEG Fellowship Program only provides tuition and stipend support to fellows attending a U.S. institution. The program does not offer a deferral option. A fellow would not be able to enroll at an institution located outside the U.S.
 
What is the minimum GPA or GRE required for consideration for the fellowship?
Although the NDSEG Fellowship is a highly competitive program, there is no minimum GPA or GRE requirement. All completed applications are considered in full. The required statements, GPA, GRE scores, reference letters and forms, and transcripts are all reviewed and evaluated.