National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship

National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship is a prestigious award offered by the United States Department of Defense to support graduate students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) at universities such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, and California Institute of Technology. The fellowship aims to increase the number of United States citizens trained in STEM fields, particularly in areas of importance to the Department of Defense, such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and materials science, as researched by NASA, National Science Foundation, and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. The fellowship is administered by the American Society for Engineering Education, which also manages other programs such as the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program and the Department of Energy Computational Science Graduate Fellowship.

● Introduction

The National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship is a highly competitive award that provides support to graduate students pursuing research-based degrees in STEM fields at institutions such as Harvard University, University of California, Berkeley, and Carnegie Mellon University. The fellowship is designed to support students who are pursuing degrees in areas of importance to the Department of Defense, such as aerospace engineering, computer science, and electrical engineering, as studied by MIT Lincoln Laboratory, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and Los Alamos National Laboratory. The fellowship is also open to students pursuing degrees in mathematics and statistics, as applied by National Institute of Standards and Technology, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and United States Census Bureau. The award is given to students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and research potential, as recognized by National Academy of Engineering, National Academy of Sciences, and American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

● Eligibility_and_Selection

To be eligible for the National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship, applicants must be United States citizens or nationals, and must be pursuing a graduate degree in a STEM field at an accredited institution, such as University of Michigan, University of Texas at Austin, and Georgia Institute of Technology. Applicants must also have a strong academic record, as demonstrated by GPA, GRE scores, and letters of recommendation from faculty members at universities such as University of California, Los Angeles, University of Washington, and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The selection process is highly competitive, with applicants reviewed by a panel of experts in their field, including researchers from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The panel evaluates applicants based on their academic achievement, research experience, and potential to contribute to the Department of Defense mission, as aligned with the goals of Defense Intelligence Agency, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, and National Security Agency.

● Fellowship_Benefits

The National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship provides a number of benefits to recipients, including a stipend of $30,000 per year, as well as full tuition and fees, similar to the support provided by National Defense Education Act, Science and Engineering Education Act, and Stem Education Act. The fellowship also provides opportunities for recipients to participate in internships and research experiences at Department of Defense laboratories and facilities, such as Naval Research Laboratory, Air Force Research Laboratory, and Army Research Laboratory. Recipients are also eligible to participate in professional development opportunities, such as conferences and workshops, sponsored by Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Association for Computing Machinery, and Society of Women Engineers. The fellowship is typically awarded for a period of three years, during which time recipients are expected to pursue their graduate degree full-time, as supported by National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program, Department of Energy Computational Science Graduate Fellowship, and Hertz Foundation Graduate Fellowship Award.

● Application_Process

The application process for the National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship typically begins in the summer or fall of each year, with applications due in December or January, as announced by American Society for Engineering Education, National Society of Professional Engineers, and Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. Applicants must submit a number of materials, including a personal statement, transcripts, and letters of recommendation from faculty members at universities such as University of Southern California, Duke University, and University of Pennsylvania. Applicants must also provide information about their research experience and interests, as well as their career goals, as aligned with the objectives of National Aeronautics and Space Administration, National Institutes of Health, and Department of Energy. The application process is typically online, with applicants submitting their materials through a web portal managed by American Society for Engineering Education, National Academy of Engineering, and National Science Foundation.

● History_and_Funding

The National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship was established in 1989, as part of the National Defense Authorization Act, signed into law by President George H.W. Bush, with the support of Congress, Senate, and House of Representatives. The fellowship is funded by the Department of Defense, with support from Congress and the Executive Branch, as well as from private organizations such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman. The fellowship is administered by the American Society for Engineering Education, which also manages other programs such as the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program and the Department of Energy Computational Science Graduate Fellowship, with the collaboration of National Institute of Standards and Technology, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and United States Geological Survey. The fellowship has supported over 3,000 students since its inception, with many going on to pursue careers in STEM fields, as recognized by National Medal of Science, National Medal of Technology and Innovation, and Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers.

● Notable_Recipients

A number of notable individuals have received the National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship, including NASA astronauts Peggy Whitson and Scott Kelly, as well as Nobel Prize winners Andrea Ghez and William Daniel Phillips, who have contributed to the advancement of science and technology in the United States, as acknowledged by National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Other notable recipients include Google engineer Fei-Fei Li and Microsoft researcher Jenn Wortman Vaughan, who have made significant contributions to the development of artificial intelligence and machine learning, as recognized by Association for Computing Machinery, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and Society of Women Engineers. The fellowship has also supported students who have gone on to pursue careers in academia, industry, and government, including University of California, Berkeley professor Chenming Hu and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency director Victoria Coleman, as well as National Science Foundation director France Córdova and National Institutes of Health director Francis Collins.

Category:Science and technology fellowships