Department of Defense
INSTRUCTION
NUMBER 3218.02
July 24, 2013
Incorporating Change 1, November 30, 2017
USD(AT&L)
SUBJECT: National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowships
References: See Enclosure 1
1. PURPOSE. In accordance with the authority in DoD Directive 5134.01 and section 2191 of
Title 10, United States Code (References (a) and (b)), this instruction reissues DoD Instruction
3218.2 (Reference (c)) to establish policy and assign responsibilities concerning the award of
NDSEG fellowships.
2. APPLICABILITY. This instruction applies to OSD, the Military Departments, the Office of
the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, the
Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Defense, the Defense Agencies, the DoD
Field Activities, and all other organizational entities within the DoD (referred to collectively in
this instruction as the “DoD Components”).
3. POLICY. It is DoD policy that:
a. NDSEG fellowships shall be awarded:
(1) Solely to U.S. citizens and nationals who agree to pursue graduate degrees in science,
engineering, or other fields of study that are designated, in accordance with paragraph 2b of
enclosure 2, to be of priority interest to the DoD.
(2) Through a nationwide competition in which all appropriate actions have been taken
to encourage applications from members of groups (including minorities, women, and disabled
persons) that historically have been underrepresented in science and technology.
(3) Without regard to the geographic region(s) in which the applicant lives or intends to
pursue an advanced degree.
b. The criteria for award of NDSEG fellowships are:
