NATO Defense College Italy Resident Fellowship Programme 2026 (Fully Funded)
Description
Applications are now open for the NATO Defense College (NDC) Resident Fellowship Programme 2026, a prestigious fully funded research fellowship hosted in Rome, Italy. This program offers a unique opportunity for emerging and established scholars from NATO member and partner countries to conduct high-impact research directly relevant to NATO’s policy and strategic interests.
About the NATO Defense College Fellowship Programme
The NDC Research Division plays a vital role in shaping NATO’s ability to respond to global challenges through strategic thinking and advanced research. The Fellowship Programme supports this mission by welcoming eight fellows annually—including junior and senior scholars, PhD candidates, and researchers from NATO partner countries.
Selected fellows will contribute original research aligned with NATO’s objectives and receive access to classified insights, NATO’s policy environment, and the opportunity to present their findings at the College.
Degree Level
NATO Defense College Italy Resident Fellowship Programme 2026 (Fully Funded) is available to undertake Fellowship level programs at NATO Defense College (NDC).
Available Subjects
Following subjects are available to study under this scholarship program.
- All Subjects
Benefits
- Five-month fully funded residency in Rome at the NATO Defense College
- Stipend for living expenses
- Access to NATO research materials and high-level policy forums
- Opportunity to publish with NATO
- Mentoring role in the Senior Course conducted by the College
- Networking with over 130 past fellows from global academic and strategic communities
Eligible Nationalities
This scholarship is open to international students from Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Türkiye, United Kingdom, United States
Eligibility Criteria
There are four fellowship categories under the 2026 programme:
1. Eisenhower Defense Fellowships (for NATO Allies)
- Senior Scholars (1 seat): PhD + 4 years post-doctoral experience and a strong publication record
- Junior Scholars (1 seat): PhD holders with relevant publications
- PhD Candidates (2 seats): Near completion of PhD with NATO-relevant thesis topic
Eligible countries: All NATO Member States
2. Partnership for Peace (PfP) Fellowships (2 seats)
Eligible countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Moldova, Serbia, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan
3. Mediterranean Dialogue (MD) Fellowships (2 seats)
Eligible countries: Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Mauritania, Morocco, Tunisia
4. Other Military Cooperation / Partners Across the Globe (OMC/PaG) Fellowship (1 seat)
Eligible countries: Australia, Colombia, Iraq, Japan, Pakistan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Mongolia
Application Procedure
Application Requirements
To apply, candidates must:
- Complete the online fellowship application form
- Email the following documents to fellowships@ndc.nato.int:
- Signed 2026 Fellowship Terms & Conditions
- Short CV (in PDF format)
- Certificate of Citizenship (passport or national ID)
Important Dates
- Application Deadline: 17 May 2025 (23:59 CET)
- Notification of Results: By 30 September 2025
Incomplete or NATO-irrelevant proposals will not be considered. Feedback on rejected proposals will not be provided.
Why You Should Apply
This fellowship provides a rare opportunity to influence strategic-level policy discussions and collaborate with global experts in international security and defense. Whether you’re a PhD student, an emerging scholar, or an experienced researcher, the NATO Defense College Fellowship can be a significant step in your academic and policy research career.
