The basic objective of the DOE NNSA SSGF program is to encourage talented students to study and conduct research in stewardship science accompanied by practical work experience at NNSA Department of Energy research facilities. An ancillary objective of the program is to, over the course of many years, help establish the community of stewardship science. In accord with this objective, the fellowship sponsors an annual program review where the fellows meet one another and learn about stewardship science activities at Department of Energy facilities.
The DOE NNSA SSGF program provides fellows with many unique benefits:
- A $36,000 yearly stipend.
- Payment of full tuition and required fees during the appointment period at any accredited U.S. university.
- An annual $1,000 academic allowance for research or professional development expenses
- A term of up to four years, subject to annual renewal.
- Participation in an annual DOE NNSA SSGF program review, with related travel expenses reimbursed.
- A 12-week research practicum at one of DOE's national defense laboratories: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory or Sandia National Laboratories (California or New Mexico).
- Augmented stipend during the practicum.
- The option to participate in a second practicum at a different DOE laboratory.
- The opportunity to join a larger scientific community that understands and appreciates the role stewardship science plays across a variety of science and engineering disciplines.
- Opportunities to attend and publish research results at other conferences.