The NSEP Service Requirement

The major objective of NSEP is to award funding to select U.S. citizens who are highly motivated to work for the federal government in an area related to U.S. national security.

The NSEP Service Requirement stipulates that an award recipient work in the Federal Government in a position with national security responsibilities.  The Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, State, or any element of the Intelligence Community are priority agencies.  If an award recipient demonstrates to NSEP that no appropriate position is available in one of these agencies, the award recipient must seek to fulfill the requirement in a position with national security responsibilities in any Federal department or agency. Approval of service outside of a priority agency is contingent upon satisfactory demonstration of a full and good faith effort in accordance with conditions established by NSEP. If an award recipient demonstrates to NSEP that no appropriate position is available in the Federal Government, the award recipient may petition NSEP to fulfill the requirement in education. The education option is available only after exhausting all opportunities to fulfill the requirement in the Federal Government in accordance with conditions established by NSEP.

The duration of the NSEP service requirement is equal to the duration of assistance provided under the program, in no case less than one year. It is expected that Flagship Fellows are interested in and will make a commitment to long term federal service and use their language skills for which the Flagship Fellowship was awarded.

For a list of Frequently Asked Question about the NSEP Service Agreement click here.

Upon acceptance of a Flagship Fellowship, award recipients will be provided with detailed information on possible employment opportunities in the federal government, particularly related to national security affairs and high-level language proficiency. While receipt of a Flagship Fellowship does not guarantee employment in the U.S. federal government, NSEP staff will help guide you in your search.