National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship – UW Graduate School Skip to content

National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship

The DoD, through the Office of the Under Secretary for Research and Engineering and the military services, promotes education in science and engineering disciplines relevant to the Defense mission. One means of promoting science and engineering education is through awarding fellowships to encourage promising U.S. scientists to pursue doctoral degrees in designated research disciplines. 

The DoD National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship Program is a competitive fellowship that is awarded to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and U.S. dual citizens who intend to pursue a Doctoral degree aligned to the DoD services Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs) in research and development at a U.S. institution of their choice.

Since program inception, over 4,000 fellowships have been awarded and over 60,000 applications received. DoD plans to award new three-year graduate fellowships each fiscal year (subject to the availability of funds) to individuals who have demonstrated ability and special aptitude for advanced training in science and engineering.

Program Objectives

  • Increase the number of U.S. citizens or nationals trained in disciplines of science and engineering of military importance
  • Develop continuing relationships with recipients and the sponsoring military services; each service is responsible for mentoring and interacting with its selected awardees
  • Attract science and engineering baccalaureate graduates to pursue doctorates in DoD mission related research areas from U.S. institutions

Awardee Stories

Learn More

Return to List of Fellowships