The National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship Program awards Fellows who intend to pursue a Doctoral degree in fields aligned with the Department of Defense (DoD) Services’ Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs) in research development. 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: November
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: November 15, 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 14: Contact recommenders to ask for recommendations. Submit first draft of Personal Statement to Office of National Fellowships (national.fellowships@unh.edu).
- By September 28: Submit first draft of Research Essay
- By October 12: Submit second draft of Personal Statement
- By October 26: Submit second draft of Research Essay
- By November 2: Submit third draft of Personal Statement and Research essay
- By November 9: Complete and FERPA form to request a copy of your 91ÖÆƬ³§ transcript
- November 13, 2026: Submit your application ahead of the National Application Deadline
- November 15, 2026: NATIONAL APPLICATION DEADLINE
