Nuclear Nonproliferation International Safeguards (NNIS) Graduate Fellowship Program

The NNIS Graduate Fellowship Program provides financial support for exceptional students pursuing technical doctoral research relevant to the field of international nuclear safeguards.

Program Sponsor: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Office of International Nuclear Safeguards (OINS)

Geographic Scope: United States - open to U.S. citizens at participating universities

Focus Areas:

• International nuclear safeguards and nonproliferation
• Technical measures to verify compliance with nuclear non-weapons commitments
• Destructive and non-destructive assay of nuclear material
• Nuclear material accounting data and facility operator records analysis
• Containment, surveillance, and environmental sampling technologies
• Research with demonstrated safeguards impact and intent to pursue career in international safeguards
• Research aligned with IAEA Long-Term Safeguards R&D plan priorities

Eligibility:

• U.S. Citizens (candidates with dual citizenship must notify SCUREF)
• About to enroll in or currently enrolled in qualified course of study at participating university
• Must have at least one full year of graduate work remaining at beginning of September 2024
• Pursuing technical doctoral research

Award Details:

• Monthly stipend: $3,000
• Additional Dislocation Allowance: $800/month (prorated) while on practicum assignment
• Tuition and fees: up to $35,000/year paid directly to university
• Maximum annual cost (stipend + tuition/fees): $71,000 per Fellow
• Travel reimbursements for seminars, conferences, workshops (GSA compliant, requires 30-day advance notice)
• Access to DOE/NNSA-approved laboratories for thesis research

Program Benefits:

• Partnerships between science/engineering programs and nuclear nonproliferation/safeguards policy programs
• Practicum assignments at participating laboratories
• Tuition and fees coverage
• Travel support for approved activities
• Thesis research support at participating facilities

Restrictions:

• No teaching assistantships or research assistantships without direct consent
• Other awards/prizes without service requirement may be accepted
• Veteran's benefits accepted
• Employment compensation may result in equivalent stipend reduction
• SCUREF reserves right to revoke appointment for unreported compensation
• Optional, refundable, and penalty fees not covered

Evaluation Criteria:

• Academic performance
• Relevant coursework
• Demonstrated commitment to international nuclear safeguards field
• Research relevance and safeguards impact
• References
• Potential to enhance IAEA technical capabilities or improve safeguards efficiency

Number of Awards: Contingent on number of Fellows graduating and availability of funds (typically multiple annual awards)

Notification: Mid-April (after DOE/NNSA approval)

NNIS Fellowship Program Application Procedures

Eligibility Requirements:

• U.S. Citizen (dual citizens must notify SCUREF)
• About to enroll or currently enrolled at participating university
• Minimum one full year of graduate work remaining at beginning of September 2024

Application Deadline: February 15, 2024 (annual cycle: November 2023 – February 2024)

Note: Deadline applies to 2024 cycle. Current deadline for 2026-2027 cycle unknown; contact SCUREF for current deadlines.

Application Components (Complete Application Required):

1. Student Application Form
2. Reference Forms - 3 references required
3. Official Transcripts - all transcripts must be sent directly from university registrar

Submission Method:

• Submit all materials electronically through www.scuref.org NNIS Fellowship page
• Late and/or incomplete applications will NOT be processed
• Include Fellowship program name on all correspondence
• If unable to submit electronically, contact Nicole Huchet at (843) 793-1079 or via email

Application Requirements Details:

• Applications must describe potential safeguards impact of research
• Explain how research enhances IAEA's technical capabilities to detect diversion, facility misuse, or undeclared nuclear activities
• Link research proposals to IAEA Long-Term Safeguards R&D plan, STR-400, STR-399, or other IAEA/USG safeguards priorities
• Identify specific existing or future technical safeguards challenge being addressed
• Demonstrate the dearth of viable fixes to proposed technical challenges

Review Process:

• Independent panel review (composed of university, DOE/NNSA, and national laboratory personnel)
• DOE/NNSA program sponsor reviews applications and panel recommendations
• DOE/NNSA approves final selection
• Applicants notified in mid-April

Required Forms Available:

• NNIS University Participation Application (for non-fellows)
• Practicum Completion Evaluation Form (for mentors)
• Publication Submission Form
• Travel Request Form
• Travel Expense Reimbursement Form
• One-Way Travel Expense Reimbursement Form (practicum/long-term lab assignments)
• Request for Practicum Assignment
• Practicum Completion Form (for fellows)
• Long Term Laboratory Assignment Form
• Thesis/Dissertation Proposal Form
• Fellowship Completion Form