National Security Education-Scholarships (12.551)
Program
12.551 National Security Education-Scholarships
Federal Agency
OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE, STRATEGY AND REQUIREMENTS, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Authorization
50 U.S.C. 1901-1910.
Program Number
12.551
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
(1) To equip Americans with an understanding of less commonly taught languages and cultures; (2) to build a critical base of future leaders both in the marketplace and in government service; (3) to develop a cadre of professionals with more than the traditional knowledge of language and culture; and (4) to enhance institutional capacity and increase the number of faculty who can educate U.S. citizens toward achieving these goals.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Undergraduate scholarship awards to U.S. citizens enrolled in U.S. institutions of higher education to study in critical world areas. All NSEP scholarship recipients agree to work either in a Federal organization or in higher education, in that order of priority, for a time equal to the length of the award. No international exchange programs may be funded by NSEP.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Any U.S. citizen enrolled in an accredited 2 or 4 year public or private U.S. institution of higher education (defined in Section 1201(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, 20 U.S.C. 1141(a) is eligible to apply for an undergraduate scholarship. Students enrolled in Federal government schools are not eligible.
Beneficiary Eligibility
U.S. students enrolled in public or private 2 or 4 year accredited U.S. institutions of higher education.
Credentials/Documentation
Proof of enrollment and proof of U.S. citizenship.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
None. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
All eligible, U.S. graduate students may apply for fellowships in response to the relevant agency announcement.
Award Procedure
Award decisions will be based on a competitive selection of proposals resulting from an independent merit review.
Deadlines
Specified in annual application, usually in January or February.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
None.
Renewals
Freshmen and sophomore NSEP scholarship recipients will be eligible for a second undergraduate award by competing again as an upperclassmen. Juniors and seniors may receive only one undergraduate NSEP scholarship; however, if the award was initially for one academic term, the student may request an extension for a second consecutive term. Designation of second term awards will be based on performance and availability of funds. NSEP undergraduate scholarship recipients will be eligible to apply for NSEP graduate fellowships.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
None.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Eligible students may receive NSEP Undergraduate Scholarships for not more than two academic terms per year.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Semi-annual progress reports required on initiatives to fulfill service obligations incurred.
Audits
None.
Records
Not applicable.
Program Accomplishments
Since becoming operational in 1993, the NSEP has awarded undergraduate scholarships to almost 800 U.S. citizens from all 50 States and the District of Columbia. These scholarships have enabled study of over 30 less commonly taught languages in 60 less commonly studied countries and world regions.
Financial Information
Account Identification
97-8168-0-7-051.
Obligations
(Undergraduate Scholarships) CY 02 $2,000,000; CY 03 est $2,000,000; and FY 04 est not reported.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Up to $8,000 per academic term, not to exceed two terms per year.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
50 U.S.C. 1901-1910 (Chap. 37); Department of Defense Directive 1025.2, "National Security Education Program," January 13, 1993; Department of Defense Instruction 1025.3, "Administrator, National Security Education Program," January 19, 1993; and Department of Defense Instruction 1025.6, "National Security Education Program Service Agreement," December 20, 1996.
Related Programs
12.552, National Security Education_Fellowships; 12.550, International Education_U.S. Colleges and Universities.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Not applicable.
Headquarters Office
Dr. Edmond J. Collier or Mr. Kenneth A. Clayton, Department of Defense, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Assistant Secretary of Defense (Strategy and Requirements), National Security Education Program, 1101 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1210, Arlington, VA 22209-2248. Telephone: (703) 696-1991. E-mail: collier@nsep.policy.osd.mil.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Sophomore spending a semester in Russia studying advanced Russian and Russian business practices, with stated goal of becoming a lawyer and building business relations between Russia and the United States. Senior spending a year in South Africa doing comparative study of South African and United States value systems and their impact on foreign policy matters of mutual concern.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Undergraduate scholarship recipients are selected based on merit with consideration for: academic record and potential to succeed in the proposed study; commitment to international education to fulfill academic and career goals; language interests and aptitude; and to quality and appropriateness of the proposed program and its relevances to the National Security Education Program.
