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The Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration Stewardship Science Graduate Fellowship (DOE NNSA SSGF) provides excellent financial benefits and professional development opportunities to students pursuing doctoral degrees in stewardship science areas: materials under extreme conditions, nuclear science or high energy density physics. Together, these fields of study address complex science and engineering problems critical to stewardship science. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration. The fellowship provides a $45,000 annual stipend, payment of full tuition and fees, and a yearly professional development allowance. The fellowship is renewable up to four years, supporting students through their doctoral studies. The program seeks senior undergraduates and first- and second-year graduate students who are U.S. citizens and committed to full-time doctoral study. A unique feature of the program is the required 12-week minimum DOE laboratory practicum experience, typically conducted during summer months at one of four DOE NNSA laboratory sites. This practicum offers fellows the opportunity to work with respected scientists on research areas important to national defense, allowing them to learn new skills and expand their research capabilities outside of their thesis studies. Fellows also participate in an annual meeting to share research and strengthen connections within the stewardship science community. Since 2006, the program has supported national defense research by equipping scientists and engineers with mission-critical tools for maintaining the nation's nuclear stockpile. More than 105 fellowships have been awarded to students at 45 Ph.D.-granting U.S. universities, with alumni working in industry, academia, and national laboratories.