NATO Defense College (NDC) Resident Fellowship Programme - NDC Research Division

Applications for Fellowships are closed until 1 April 2025

Who we are, and why we offer fellowship opportunities

The NDC Research Division serves to boost NATO's capacity to solve complex problems through a combination of research and training. The Division's strength lies in its mix of in-depth subject expertise and methodological creativity. Success requires access to new thinking and scholarship. Each year, we offer eight research fellowships tailored to both junior and senior scholars, and to nationals both of Alliance members and NATO partner countries. Fellows are expected to contribute to the mission of the Research Division. In return, they will gain insight into NATO's decision-making needs, access to upstream information, and membership of a network of 130 alumni from previous generations of this programme.

Objectives, responsibilities and eligibility

The NATO Defense College considers itself as NATO's portal to the world. It is a place where interested parties can learn how NATO functions, as well as how to inform the Organization's thinking and work. The NDC Research Division not only serves as a portal for exchange, it offers NATO a kind of radar, looking out into the world and into the future to flag incoming trends and signals. Applicants should familiarize themselves with the themes and style of our work, as well as explaining how their research will be policy relevant.

During their fellowship, fellows are required to:

• write a research essay for eventual publication by the College;
• present their research project to the College before completing their fellowship;
• act as mentors on the College's Senior Course;
• align with the College's overall research agenda.

1. Eligibility for the Eisenhower Defense Fellowships (NATO Allies)

The three Eisenhower Defense (EISD) Fellowships are for researchers and analysts who hold the nationality of one of the NATO Allies. The three sub-programmes are directed at:

• Senior Scholars: The NDC offers one 5-month long fellowship per year in this category.

Candidates applying to the Senior Eisenhower Defense Fellowship must have a PhD in a relevant discipline, as well as a minimum of four years’ relevant professional experience since receiving their doctoral degree, as well as a solid publication record on international security-related issues.

• PhD  candidates: The NDC offers one 3-month long fellowship per year in this category.

Candidates for the Eisenhower PhD candidate Fellowship must be PhD Students enrolled in a University Programme at the PhD level, with a thesis topic that has a direct relevance to NATO’s policy. Candidates for this Fellowship must be at the final stage of their research and provide evidence of their advanced work.

• Junior Scholars: The NDC offers one 3-month long fellowship per year in this category.

Candidates applying to the Eisenhower Defense Fellowship must have a PhD in a relevant discipline, as well as a publication record on international security-related issues. The NDC offers one 3-month long fellowship per year in this category.

2. Eligibility for Partnership for Peace Fellowships

Two 5-month long fellowships are awarded each year in this category. The Partnership for Peace (PfP) Fellowships is designed for scholars/academics/researchers of PfP countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Moldova, Serbia, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan).

3. Eligibility for Mediterranean Dialogue Fellowships

Two 5-month long fellowships are awarded each year in this category. The Mediterranean Dialogue (MD) Fellowships is designed for researchers and analysts of MD countries (Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Mauritania, Morocco, and Tunisia).

4. Eligibility for Other Military Cooperation/Partners Across the Globe Fellowship (OMC/PatG)

The OMC/PatG Fellowship is designed for scholars/academics/researchers of OMC/PatG countries. One 5-month long fellowship is awarded each year in this category. Countries include: Australia, Colombia, Iraq, Japan, Pakistan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, and Mongolia.

5. Application procedure

Candidates must fill in the on-line registration form (available here while the registration is open), and send separately the following:  a signed copy of the 2025 Terms & Conditions, and in a single pdf file a short CV, ID (Passport or national ID),  to the following email address: [email protected] 

The research proposal submitted in the on-line registration form must be relevant to NATO’s current agenda and future. (Research proposals unrelated to NATO or incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration). The Resident Fellowship Programme is under the supervision of Dr Florence Gaub, Director, Research Division. 

Deadline for applications: no later than 19 May 2024 (23.59 CET).

Selected candidates will be notified in writing by 30 July 2024.

The Research Division cannot provide comments on applicants’ proposals either during nor after the selection process.

---

Engaging the Younger Generation

Over the last four years, the NDC Research Division has developed a number of initiatives aiming at engaging the younger generation in NATO-related debates and policy-making.

This includes the four following activities:

• PhD Candidate Eisenhower Fellowship
  In 2019, a PhD Candidate Eisenhower Fellowship was established. One of the 9 residential NDC Research Fellowships, this PhD Candidate Eisenhower Fellowship is offered annually to a PhD Candidate working on a NATO-related topic. It lasts three months.

• Early-Career Nuclear Strategists Workshop (ECNSW)
  In 2019, the Research Division created an annual Workshop that targets young scholars focusing on (nuclear) deterrence; every year in early July, the NDC brings together 12 to 15 young scholars for a 2-day workshop in which participants present their research to their peers and are mentored by prominent scholars. Some of the papers presented are also published in the NDC Research Paper series.
  The Early-Career Nuclear Strategists Workshop (ECNSW) is organized in coordination with the NATO Nuclear Policy Directorate.
  The latest edition of the ECNSW took place from 6 to 8 July 2022.
  The 5th Edition of the ECNSW will take place over three days from 21-23 June 2023.

• Annual Future Leaders’ Conference (AFLC)
  In 2022, the NDC launched a new initiative through its Annual Future Leaders’ Conference (AFLC). The first edition took place in March 2022 and brought together a group of 30 young scholars and NATO officials for a series of activities relating to the 2022 NATO Strategic Concept. This event will take place on an annual basis.
  The Annual Future Leaders’ Conference (AFLC) is organized in coordination with the NATO Policy Planning Unit.
  The 2nd AFLC took place 16-17 March 2023 in collaboration with the College of Europe in Bruges and Natolin, the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) at Bologna, and NATO's Policy Planning Unit, amongst other institutions. The NDC invited roughly 30 participants to debate and discuss NATO policy in an era of renewed strategic competition.

• Publications
  Over the last four years, the NDC Research Division has also largely opened its publications to young scholars, both in its
  Policy Briefs
  series and in its
  Research Papers
  series.

---