National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship
Offered by U.S. Department of Defense (NDSEG Program Office)
About This Scholarship
The National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship is a highly competitive award sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense for doctoral students in science and engineering disciplines of military importance — spanning fields like aeronautics, computer science, electrical engineering, materials science, mathematics, oceanography, and physics. It is one of the largest STEM fellowships in the country and has supported thousands of Ph.D. students since 1989.
The fellowship provides three years of support: full tuition and mandatory fees at any accredited U.S. institution, a monthly stipend (listed by the program at $3,400 per month, roughly $40,800 per year and about $122,400 over the three-year award), plus a health insurance allowance. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or nationals who are college seniors or early-stage graduate students planning or pursuing a research doctorate.
The FY2027 application period opens August 3, 2026, and closes October 30, 2026, at 5 p.m. Eastern. There is no application fee.
Eligibility
- U.S. citizen or national
- College senior or graduate student at or near the beginning of doctoral study in a covered science or engineering discipline
- Planning to pursue a research-based Ph.D. at an accredited U.S. institution
- Application requires academic records, recommendations, and written statements; no fee
How To Apply
- Check eligibility and register at the NDSEG application portal (ndseg.sysplus.com) once the FY2027 window opens August 3, 2026
- Complete the application with transcripts, recommendations, and research/goal statements
- Submit by October 30, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern
Frequently Asked Questions
What does NDSEG pay for?
Three years of full tuition and mandatory fees, a monthly stipend (program-listed at $3,400/month), and a health insurance allowance, usable at any accredited U.S. university with a qualifying doctoral program.
Is there a service commitment?
No military service obligation is attached to the NDSEG Fellowship; it is a merit award designed to grow the nation's defense-relevant science and engineering talent base.