Qualifications

To be eligible to participate in NGP, the following criteria must be met:

• U.S. citizen eligible for high-level security clearance
   
• Graduate student (recently completed or currently enrolled) with academic specialization in:
   
  • International Affairs
  • Political Science
  • Economics
  • Chemical Sciences
  • Physics
  • Nuclear Engineering
  • Engineering
     
• Career interest in nuclear nonproliferation, U.S. national security
  interests
   
• Demonstrated maturity, good judgment, self-motivation
   
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work in an integrated environment
   
• Conversational fluency in a foreign language is a plus

Note:  The ability to qualify for a top security clearance is of the utmost importance for participation in NGP.  To obtain a security clearance, enabling access to sensitive information, a thorough investigation is conducted by the Office of Personnel Management.  During the course of this investigation, information relevant to selected NGP fellows in the following areas will be examined:  Employment and school records, criminal history, financial and credit history, academic performance and attendance, residence history.  If performance in any of these or other areas would preclude eligibility for a security clearance, graduate students interested in NGP should not apply.

“The NGP offers the opportunity to witness and experience the day-to-day implementation of U.S. nonproliferation programs. For some, this is an eye-opening experience and nothing more. For others, it leads to a unique opportunity to get your foot in the door where policy is put into practice.”

—Brian Waud, NGP graduate

Situated high atop Rattlesnake Mountain in southeastern Washington state, the Rattlesnake Mountain Observatory offers NGP fellows a look at facilities used by area astronomers and students.