Benefits & Opportunities

The National Ignition Facility's Final Optics Assemblies, shown here mounted on the lower hemisphere of the target chamber, contain special optics for beam conditioning, color conversion, and color separation (courtesy Lawrence Livermore).

The DOE NNSA SSGF program provides fellows with many unique benefits:

  • A $45,000 yearly stipend (effective 9/1/2024).
  • Payment of full tuition and required fees during the appointment period at any accredited U.S. university.
  • An annual $2,000 academic allowance for research or professional development expenses (effective 9/1/2024).
  • 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).
  • The option to participate in a second practicum at a different DOE laboratory.
  • Augmented stipend during the practicum(s).
  • 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.