Eligibility/Qualifications
To be eligible to participate in the Nonproliferation Graduate Fellowship Program, the following criteria must be met:
- U.S. citizen eligible for high-level security clearance
- Graduate student (completed in 2009 or currently enrolled)
- Career interest in nuclear nonproliferation, U.S. national security interests
- Demonstrated maturity, good judgment, self-motivation
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work in an integrated environment
- Highly desirable academic specializations include:
- International Affairs
- Political Science
- Economics
- Chemical Sciences
- Physics
- Nuclear Science/Engineering
- In addition, being conversationally fluent in a language as well as having program management and budget skills are a plus.
Note: The ability to expeditiously qualify for a top security clearance is of the utmost importance for participation in the program. To obtain a security clearance, enabling access to sensitive information, individuals will be subject to a federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements, including demonstration of non-use of illegal drugs for 12 consecutive months prior to submission of the clearance request. Non-use of illegal drugs is initially determined through an initial drug screen and review of the individual's Questionnaire for National Security Positions (QNSP). Once the Security Clearance is granted, individuals will then be subject to random and for-cause drug testing. During the course of the federal background investigation, the other following areas will also be examined: employment and school records, criminal history, financial and credit history, academic performance and attendance, and residence history. If performance in any of these or other areas would preclude eligibility for a security clearance, graduate students interested in the program should not apply.
"The NGFP offers the opportunity to witness and experience the day-to-day implementation of U.S. nonproliferation programs. For some, this is an eye-opening experience and nothing more. For others, it leads to a unique opportunity to get your foot in the door where policy is put into practice."
—Brian Waud, NGFP graduate