Benefits 

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

• Annual salary: $53,300 ($63,550 for post-doctoral fellows)
• Hiring incentive: $4,000 (taxed)
• Medical benefits
• Paid vacation and holidays
• Tuition reimbursement (criteria apply)
• Training, professional development, and networking opportunities
• $10,000 travel/training allotment

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 nuclear security enterprise. Actual events and activities vary by year.

See our annual report for highlights from our most recent class of fellows: 

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.

Training

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

• A week of orientation and training at PNNL in Richland, Washington.
• Federal orientation and training at NNSA Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
• Job-specific training and professional development events, including opportunities for training at national laboratories and other government agencies.
• Exceptional networking opportunities for future career positions.

Fellows are allotted $10,000 to tailor their travel and training to their individual assignments and professional development goals.

Leadership Development

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

• Participation in the year-long NNSA Aspiring Leadership Certification Program.
• An invitation to the Nuclear Security Enterprise event to meet with national security stakeholders, such as the House Armed Services committee.
• Attendance to a Career Development Workshop, where fellows gain practical guidance for their post-fellowship careers.
• Visits to DOE sites and other historical and landmark sites across the country.

Networking

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

• Briefings with NNSA leadership
• Briefings by the intelligence community
• Alumni roundtable
• National laboratory roundtables 
• Fellow brown bags
• 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.