Most security researchers spend their careers analyzing NATO from the outside. This fellowship puts you inside.
The NATO Defense College Resident Fellowship Programme 2027 is now accepting applications for nine funded research positions at the NDC in Rome Italy.
Fellows spend five months working within the College’s Research Division. They contribute directly to NATO’s understanding of emerging threats, geopolitical shifts, deterrence and future conflict.
The stipend reaches up to €18000 for senior scholars. The deadline is 30 September 2026 at 23:59 CET.
At a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Program | NATO Defense College Resident Fellowship 2027 |
| Location | Rome Italy |
| Duration | 5 months 10 months for PhD Fellows across both periods |
| Number of fellowships | 9 total |
| Eligible nationalities | NATO Allied and partner countries |
| Stipend range | €11000 to €18000 |
| Application deadline | 30 September 2026 |
| Fellowship periods | February to July 2027 or August 2027 to January 2028 |
Two Fellowship Periods
Applicants choose between two five month windows:
| Period | Dates |
|---|---|
| Period 1 | 15 February 2027 to 16 July 2027 |
| Period 2 | 26 August 2027 to 28 January 2028 |
Eisenhower PhD Candidate Fellows may apply for both periods, potentially spending a total of ten months at the College.
What Fellows Are Expected to Produce
During the five months fellows must:
- Write a research essay for possible publication by the College
- Present their research project to the College before completing the fellowship
- Serve as mentors on the College’s Senior Course
- Align their work with the College’s broader research agenda
The mentoring responsibility is the detail most applicants overlook. This is not a fellowship where you arrive with a research question work independently for five months and submit a paper. Fellows are expected to contribute to the institution’s work while they are there, including supporting the education of senior military and civilian officials attending NDC courses.
Researchers who prefer complete independence may find this structure less suitable than those who want genuine engagement with a policy facing institution.
Research Areas NATO Is Prioritizing
The 2027 program has defined research themes. Proposals that do not connect to these areas are unlikely to be competitive.
- Political and military strategic challenges for the coming decade covering the NATO Treaty Area and NATO’s wider Area of Interest which includes North Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia and East Asia along with relevant sea lines of communication
- Geopolitical developments and trends across diplomatic, informational, economic and cultural dimensions, particularly developments likely to affect NATO’s mission over the next five to ten years
- Deterrence and emerging conflict forms, specifically non-nuclear and cross-domain deterrence the cognitive dimension of conflict, hybrid conflict and new or accelerating technologies including information and communication technologies
The Four Fellowship Categories
Nine fellowships are distributed across four categories each with different eligibility requirements and funding levels.
Eisenhower Fellowships 4 available
Open to nationals of NATO Allied countries. Three sub-tracks exist within this category.
- Senior Eisenhower Fellows must hold a PhD in a relevant discipline have at least four years of professional experience after their doctorate and demonstrate a solid publication record on international security topics. Stipend €18000
- Junior Eisenhower Fellows must hold a relevant PhD and have a publication record in international security. Stipend €18000
- Eisenhower PhD Candidate Fellows must be enrolled in a doctoral program with a thesis topic directly relevant to NATO policy and be at the final stage of their research with evidence of advanced work. Stipend €11000. May apply for both periods up to 10 months total
Partnership for Peace Fellowship up to 2 available
Open to scholars, academics and researchers from Partnership for Peace countries. Stipend €18000.
Partners Across the Globe Fellowship up to 2 available
Open to scholars, academics and researchers from Partners Across the Globe countries. Stipend €18000.
Istanbul Cooperation Initiative Fellowship up to 2 available
Open to scholars, academics and researchers from Istanbul Cooperation Initiative countries. Stipend €18000.
Funding Breakdown
| Fellowship Category | Stipend |
|---|---|
| Senior Eisenhower Fellow | €18000 |
| Junior Eisenhower Fellow | €18000 |
| PfP PatG and ICI Fellows | €18000 |
| Eisenhower Defense Fellow | €14000 |
| Eisenhower PhD Candidate Fellow | €11000 |
The stipend is paid in three instalments. For the €18000 award, €8000 on arrival, €5000 after three months and €5000 on submission of the research draft and presentation.
The funding is designed to cover accommodation in Rome, travel to and from the city and related costs during the fellowship period.
How to Apply
The application has two components submitted separately.
- Online application form. Includes the research proposal which must focus clearly on NATO related challenges, demonstrate innovative problem-solving, or propose novel research outputs. The proposal must be no longer than 550 words. Concision matters here.
- CV. Submitted separately by email to the designated fellowship address. Maximum two pages.
Selected candidates will subsequently be required to sign the 2027 Terms and Conditions and provide a passport copy as evidence of nationality.
Before writing anything, review the full 2027 Terms and Conditions document on the official NDC portal. The fellowship categories have specific eligibility conditions that are not always obvious from program summaries.