The National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship Program awards Fellows who intend to pursue a doctoral degree in research areas broadly aligned with military research and development priorities. Recipients may study at a U.S. institution of their choice.
The NDSEG Fellowship program was established in 1989 by direction of Congress as an approach to increasing the number of United States citizens receiving doctoral degrees in science and engineering disciplines of military importance.
Deadline: October
Value: The NDSEG Fellowship lasts for 3 years and pays for full tuition and all mandatory fees; a monthly stipend ($43,200 annually); a $5,000 travel budget over the Fellow’s tenure for professional development; and up to $1,600 a year in health insurance.
Eligibility: Be a U.S. Citizen, U.S. Dual Citizen, or U.S. National; Senior planning to graduate by August of fellowship year or graduate student status (must have no more than two years of graduate study completed and at least 3 years of graduate study remaining); Be applying to, accepted to, or currently enrolled at an accredited graduate-level institution within the United States; Intend to pursue a doctoral degree; Be pursuing research in alignment with one or more specific topics identified in the Department of Defense's Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs).
Major: Science and Engineering Fields
Fellowship Type: Undergraduate, Graduate
Nomination: No, but applicants are strongly encouraged to work with the Office of National Fellowships on their applications.
Website:
NDSEG Application Deadlines
- National Deadline: October 30, 2026
NDSEG Recommended Steps and Timeline
- August 17: Review the , carefully read the application instructions, and create an account to start your online application. Familiarize yourself with the work done by the three sponsoring DoD facilities: Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), the Army Research Office (ARO), and the Office of Naval Research (ONR). Review the DoD Strategy Document. Contact Fellowships Office to let us know you plan to apply.
- By September 7: Contact recommenders to ask for recommendations. Submit first draft of Personal Statement to Office of National Fellowships (national.fellowships@unh.edu).
- By September 21: Submit first draft of Research Essay
- By October 5: Submit second draft of Personal Statement
- By October 12: Submit second draft of Research Essay
- By October 19: Complete and FERPA form to request a copy of your UNH transcript
- October 26: APPLICATIONS DUE!
- Submit final drafts of application materials to Office of National Fellowships (national.fellowships@unh.edu) ahead of the National Deadline.
- October 30, 2026: National Application Deadline
