The NATO Defense College (NDC) is now inviting ambitious scholars, researchers, and analysts to apply for its 2026 Resident Fellowship Programme, hosted by its world-class Research Division in Rome. With eight prestigious fellowship placements available, this is a golden opportunity to embed yourself in NATO’s academic and strategic ecosystem—gaining access to policy-relevant research, influential networks, and the chance to shape global security dialogue.
Why Apply?
Each year, NDC opens its doors to a new cohort of talented junior and senior scholars from NATO member and partner nations. Selected fellows will spend five (05) months at the College working closely with NATO experts, contributing original research to high-level policy discussions, and gaining firsthand insight into NATO’s inner workings.
Whether you’re a PhD candidate wrapping up your dissertation or a senior expert with years of field experience, this fellowship offers an intellectually rich, globally connected, and deeply impactful platform to expand your research and career.
Available Fellowship Tracks for 2026
1# Eisenhower Defense Fellowships (For NATO Allied Nationals Only)
- Senior Scholar Fellowship: 1 slot
Requirements: PhD, 4+ years postdoc experience, security-related publications - Junior Scholar Fellowship: 1 slot
Requirements: PhD, publication record in international security - PhD Candidate Fellowships: 2 slots
Requirements: Final-stage PhD students with NATO-related research topics
2# Partnership for Peace (PfP) Fellowships – 2 slots
For citizens of: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Moldova, Serbia, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan.
3# Mediterranean Dialogue (MD) Fellowships – 2 slots
For citizens of: Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Mauritania, Morocco, Tunisia.
4# Other Military Cooperation/Partners Across the Globe (OMC/PaG) Fellowship – 1 slot
For citizens of: Australia, Colombia, Iraq, Japan, Pakistan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Mongolia.
What You’ll Do as an NDC Fellow?
During the 5-month residency, fellows will:
- Write a research essay for potential NDC publication
- Present findings to NATO experts and academic staff
- Serve as mentors for Senior Course participants
- Align their work with NATO’s strategic research themes
Fellows will also gain access to early-stage NATO data, policy developments, and an alumni network of over 130 previous fellows.
Apply: https://www.ndc.nato.int/research/research.php?icode=4
The last date to apply for the NATO Defense College Resident Fellowship Programme 2026 is 17 May 2025 (23:59 CET) and the selected candidates will be notified by 30 September 2025 via official communication.
