- 8fellowships awarded each year
- 3-5 monthsduration of each residential fellowship in Rome
- 1993year the fellowship programme began
- 109scholarships awarded in total up to 2017
- Stipend + travelapproximately ~€2,000/month (est.) plus travel
- 4 streamsEISW, PfP, MD and OMC/PAG fellowships
At a glance
full
Funding
—
Max amount
Jun 15, 2027
Deadline
NATO member states
Country
NATO Defense College (NDC)
Provider
The NATO Defense College (NDC) Fellowships are a residential research programme in Rome, Italy, that supports defence and security policy studies relevant to NATO and its partner nations. The College awards 8 fellowships each year, each lasting 3 to 5 months, and the package covers a stipend for the fellow's stay in Rome plus their travel expenses. The Resident Fellowship Programme runs across four streams: the NDC Eisenhower (EISW) Fellowship, the Partnership for Peace (PfP) Fellowship, the Mediterranean Dialogue (MD) Fellowship and the Other Military Cooperation / Partners Across the Globe (OMC/PAG) Fellowship. The scheme began in 1993 and had awarded a total of 109 scholarships by 2017. Fellows contribute to the Research Directorate's programme by conducting research on topics of interest to the Alliance, may deliver lectures to the Senior Course and the NATO Regional Cooperation Course, and gain first-hand experience of working in an international environment. Applicants must come from a NATO member state or from a PfP, MD or OMC/PAG country, have a strong command of English (French and/or Italian are useful), and be computer literate. Application is by emailing a single PDF containing the form, CV, ID and a short biography. Because the stipend, exact dates and the deadline are set each cycle, confirm the current figures on the official NDC research page before you apply.
What's covered
- Living stipend — Each fellow receives a stipend covering their expenses during the stay in Rome, estimated at roughly ~€2,000 (est.) per month; confirm the current rate officially.
- Travel expenses — The fellowship covers the fellow's travel costs to and from Rome.
- Research access — Access to the NDC Research Directorate, its programme of activities and the College's resources.
- International experience — First-hand experience of working in an international, multinational environment alongside the NATO community.
- Teaching opportunities — The chance to deliver lectures to the Senior Course (SC) and the NATO Regional Cooperation Course (NRCC) on a case-by-case basis.
- Professional development — Support for the professional growth of fellows and scholars, particularly on NATO-related issues.
How to apply
Applications are made by completing the online form and emailing a single combined PDF to the NDC fellowships address.
- Read the call — Visit the NDC research page to read the fellowship call and confirm which stream (EISW, PfP, MD or OMC/PAG) applies to your country.
- Complete the application form — Fill in the online application form for the relevant fellowship programme.
- Assemble your documents — Compile your CV, an identification document (passport or national ID) and a brief biography into a single PDF file.
- Email your application — Send the single PDF file to the NDC fellowships address (fellowships@ndc.nato.int) before the deadline (23:59 CET).
Eligibility
NationalityApplicants must be from a NATO member state, or from a country in the Partnership for Peace (PfP), Mediterranean Dialogue (MD), or Other Military Cooperation / Partners Across the Globe (OMC/PAG) frameworks.
English languageA strong command of the English language is essential.
Other languagesKnowledge of French and/or Italian is advantageous but not mandatory.
Computer skillsApplicants must demonstrate computer literacy and proficiency.
The stream you apply through (EISW, PfP, MD or OMC/PAG) depends on your country of origin. Research topics should be relevant to NATO's agenda and the interests of member and partner nations.
Eligible countries
NATO member states, Partnership for Peace (PfP) countries, Mediterranean Dialogue (MD) countries, OMC / Partners Across the Globe (PAG) countries
Deadlines
2026/2027 fellowship cycle~15 June 2026 (est.)
Selection
The NDC Research Directorate selects fellows on the relevance of their proposed research to NATO's agenda, their academic and professional background, and their fit with the College's programme of activities. Eight fellows are appointed each year across the four streams; shortlisted candidates may be contacted for further details before the final decision.
Verified sources
- NATO Defense College Research & Fellowships (official)ndc.nato.intofficial
- NATO Defense Collegendc.nato.intofficial
About the provider
The NATO Defense College (NDC) is NATO's senior educational and research institution, based in Rome, Italy. It runs senior courses for officers and officials and conducts academic research and policy analysis in support of the Alliance and its partner nations.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
What are the NATO Defense College Fellowships?
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They are residential research fellowships in Rome that support defence and security policy research relevant to NATO and its partner nations.
How many fellowships are awarded?
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Eight fellowships are awarded each year across the four streams.
How long does a fellowship last?
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Each fellowship lasts between 3 and 5 months and is based at the NDC in Rome.
What does the fellowship cover?
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It provides a stipend covering the fellow's stay in Rome (roughly ~€2,000 (est.) per month) plus travel expenses; confirm the current figures officially.
Who is eligible?
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Researchers from NATO member states and from countries in the PfP, MD and OMC/PAG frameworks, with a strong command of English.
What are the four fellowship streams?
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The NDC Eisenhower (EISW), Partnership for Peace (PfP), Mediterranean Dialogue (MD), and Other Military Cooperation / Partners Across the Globe (OMC/PAG) fellowships.
What language skills do I need?
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A strong command of English is essential; knowledge of French and/or Italian is an advantage but not required.
What do fellows do during the programme?
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Fellows research topics relevant to the Alliance, may lecture to the Senior Course and NATO Regional Cooperation Course, and contribute to the College's educational activities.
How do I apply?
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Complete the online application form, combine your CV, ID and a short biography into one PDF, and email it to fellowships@ndc.nato.int before the deadline.
When is the deadline?
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The deadline falls around mid-June (~15 June 2026, est., 23:59 CET). Confirm the exact current-cycle date on the official NDC page.
How long has the programme existed?
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The programme started in 1993 and had awarded 109 scholarships in total by 2017.
Where can I confirm the latest details?
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On the official NATO Defense College research page, which publishes the current call, eligibility, stipend and deadline.