NATO Defense College - Mediterranean Dialogue Fellowships

Who we are, and why we offer fellowship opportunities

The NDC Research Division serves to boost NATO's capacity to solve complex problems through a combination of research and training. The Division's strength lies in its mix of in-depth subject expertise and methodological creativity. Success requires access to new thinking and scholarship. Each year, we offer eight research fellowships tailored to both junior and senior scholars, and to nationals both of Alliance members and NATO partner countries. Fellows are expected to contribute to the mission of the Research Division. In return, they will gain insight into NATO's decision-making needs, access to upstream information, and membership of a network of 130 alumni from previous generations of this programme.

Objectives and responsibilities

The NATO Defense College considers itself as NATO's portal to the world. It is a place where interested parties can learn how NATO functions, as well as how to inform the Organization's thinking and work. The NDC Research Division not only serves as a portal for exchange, it offers NATO a kind of radar, looking out into the world and into the future to flag incoming trends and signals. Applicants should familiarize themselves with the themes and style of our work, as well as explaining how their research will be policy relevant.

During their fellowship, fellows are required to:

• write a research essay for eventual publication by the College;
• present their research project to the College before completing their fellowship;
• act as mentors on the College's Senior Course;
• align with the College's overall research agenda.

Obligations

Selected Fellows will be requested to do research within the NDC Research Division, including:

• writing of a research essay based on their Research Proposal, with submission of a draft before the end of the Fellowship to the NDC Review Board for a possible publication in one of the NDC Series. An extension of the time limit for the draft submission will be granted only under exceptional circumstances. All rights (including title, copyright and patent rights) related to any work carried out by the Fellows in the performance of their official duties shall be vested in the NDC;
• contribution to the educational activities of the NDC, including mentoring of NDC course work in their areas of expertise;
• contribution to NDC events and other research activities.

Within a week of his/her arrival at the College, the Fellow is expected to discuss his/her Research Proposal with an assigned Senior Researcher in the NDC’s Research Division, who will act as his/her mentor. The Fellow will be requested to draw up a more detailed research plan, which will include the research question, an outline of the thesis and a timetable. The Fellow will also discuss the potential length and nature of the written product with the mentor at this stage.

Towards the end of the Fellowship, the Fellow will give a presentation outlining the findings of the research conducted while at the NDC.

The NDC will have a right, but not an obligation, to publish the Fellows’ research. The feasibility of publishing will be discussed with the Fellow before the end of his/her term at the College, while a draft will be submitted to the NDC Review Board. If and when research is published outside of the NDC, Fellows are required to acknowledge the fact that their research was made possible through an NDC Fellowship.

All Fellows will be located at the NATO Defense College in Rome, Italy, throughout their Fellowship. Research Fellows will be considered temporary NDC Research Division staff members (without diplomatic benefits) for the duration of their stay at the College. They will be included in all social events to which other Division members are invited, they are welcome to attend Course lectures, and are invited to participate in those College activities that are open to all staff.

In return, Fellows are expected to be at the College daily, devoting full time to their research project or other College activities. On occasion, they may be asked to perform other College duties as a supplemental staff member. Fellows are expected to abide by all the rules and regulations stipulated in the Fellows’ Manual, which they will receive upon notification of acceptance as a Fellow. For administrative purposes, Fellows will report both to Mr Mengarini and to the Director of the Research Division during their tenure at the NDC.

Should they fail to honour their obligations (paras 7 to 9), Fellows will be required to reimburse the NDC for funds received under the Fellowship Programme within 2 months of termination of the Fellowship.

Application

Candidates should complete the online application form and return it to:

Mr Eugenio Mengarini Research Assistant
NATO Defense College (Fellowships)
Via Giorgio Pelosi, 1 00143 Rome – Italy

Email: e.mengarini@ndc.nato.int