NGFP Benefits

We offer one-year, salaried fellowships at NNSA program and site offices across the nation.

Benefits 

Our fellows receive competitive salaries, benefits, and incentives, including:

  • Annual salary 
    • $57,100 Post Bachelor's
    • $67,600 Master's or PhD in Progress
    • $79,500 Post Doc
  • Hiring incentive
  • 3 weeks of vacation annually, accrued weekly
  • Training, professional development, and networking opportunities
  • Tuition reimbursement (criteria apply)
  • Travel/training allotment
  • Comprehensive benefits package

Each fellow is assigned to a specific NNSA program or site office where they participate in professional development, training, and networking with leaders from across the national security enterprise. Actual events and activities vary by year.

 

Tasks

Each fellow's experience is truly unique. Previous fellows have been tasked with the following responsibilities:

  • Briefing NNSA and other government officials on program activities and progress.
  • Conducting technical analyses on internal nuclear security.
  • Contributing technical and policy expertise for NNSA programs and projects in the U.S. and partner countries.
  • Aiding the development of strategies for treaty negotiations and other international agreements.
  • Participating in training workshops, seminars with high-level officials, and roundtables with professionals across the nuclear security enterprise.
  • Defining review criteria and conducting analysis of processes and operations at NNSA sites and laboratories.
  • Representing NNSA on national consensus standards committees or other working groups.
  • Developing training curriculum and workshop materials.

Leadership Development

Professional growth is critical to our fellows. Development activities typically include:

  • Participation in the year-long NNSA Aspiring Leader Certification Program.
  • An invitation to the Nuclear Security Enterprise event to meet with national security stakeholders.
  • Attendance to a Career Development Workshop and career fair, where fellows gain practical guidance for their post-fellowship careers.
  • Tours of DOE sites, laboratories, and other historical and landmark sites.

Training

Fellows receive specialized training while also directly supporting NNSA's global mission in placements that align with their backgrounds and interests. The twelve-month fellowship typically includes:

  • A week of orientation and training with PNNL.
  • Federal orientation and training with NNSA.
  • Job-specific training and professional development events, including opportunities for training with national laboratories and other government agencies.
  • Exceptional networking opportunities for future career positions.
  • Fellows are allotted funds to use toward travel and attend trainings aligned with their individual assignments and professional development goals.

Networking

Fellows engage with and work alongside leaders from across the national and nuclear security enterprise. Events may include:

  • Briefings with NNSA leadership
  • Briefings by the intelligence community
  • Alumni roundtable
  • National laboratory roundtables 
  • Fellow networking sessions
  • Career events to connect with employers about post-fellowship career opportunities

Locations

Fellowship locations vary by year and span the NNSA program, functional, and field offices. See NNSA locations for details about sites nationwide. 

To learn more, see the NNSA overview flyer for more information about NNSA missions, locations, and opportunities.

Possible fellowships assignments for the NNSA Graduate Fellowship Program

Research topics

Nuclear Nonproliferation
National Security