Frequently Asked Questions

1. Will the position be in my research area?

ANSWER: The expectation is that the students would go to work in the lab of their Navy mentor, and continue in a similar area of research. In the event that this isn't practical (e.g. the Navy mentor leaves the facility), the Navy would allow the student to seek placement elsewhere in the Naval Research Enterprise. If no suitable match can be found, and it is determined to be in the best interest of the Navy and the student, the student would be freed of their obligation to the Navy.

2. Will the salary be commensurate with my education level?

ANSWER: A Ph.D. graduate will receive an appointment at roughly a GS-12 level of salaries and benefits (currently about the mid-$70s, with geographic variations).

3. What if a student applies for a Navy job but does not get hired?  Who would be responsible in that case?

ANSWER: The Navy is responsible for the placement of the NNCS students upon their graduation. It is our goal that every NNCS student that graduates will be placed at a Navy R&D center. Both the PI and the student should act in partnership with the Navy to ensure that the student is aware of this obligation up front and to assist in the placement process as needed.

4. Is there a time limit on how soon after graduation should the student work for the Navy? 

ANSWER: The intention is that the student would start work for the Navy immediately after graduation. Details of the specifics would be left to the Navy R&D center and the student.

5. If the student does not provide the service and needs to pay the funds back, who does the student pay?

ANSWER: In this case the first option is for the university to receive the repayment. This would allow for the funds to be reused in the NNCS program at that school. IF for whatever reason the school cannot or does not want to be involved in the repayment, the matter is then referred to the US Treasury for collection and the funds would go into the US Treasury's general fund and be lost to the program.

6. I was referred to an ASEE website at some point, and saw insurance information. Is that the insurance that will be available to me?

ANSWER: ASEE manages a large post-doc program for NRL. It is possible that a warfare center or NRL would use this vehicle to bring a new hire on board but that is not the only or required method. The NNCS service agreement states that, “ the participant agrees to work full time in a covered position …” here the word covered refers to a position in your area of research. If you were hired as an ASEE post-doc then the information on their website would apply. The actual position that a student is hired into will be determined by the Navy center doing the hiring and could vary from center to center.

7. Is there was any relocation allowance, or federal loan reimbursement available?

ANSWER: Again, this will be at the discretion of the hiring center.

8. Does the scholarship pay for student fees/insurance for the time that I'm enrolled?

ANSWER: Yes.

9. Part e of Section 1 under Participant Responsibilities mentions NNCS summer symposium and program activities. I don't know when, what, or where they are?

ANSWER: These activities will be determined in the future and in no case should interfere with a student’s progress towards graduation. As the program grows we will gather all the participating students and faculty members once during the summer to assess the overall program effectiveness, help establish esprit de corp among the students, and to give everyone a chance to network with Navy lab scientist.

10. When and where will the internship in which I need to serve take place?

ANSWER: A student should expect to spend up to ten weeks during the summer actually working at the Navy warfare center that is in partnership with his or her faculty advisor. These internships are to be meaningful extensions of the student’s academic experience and give both the student and the Navy mentor an opportunity to observe the other in working conditions. Details of these internships should be worked out between the student, his or her academic advisor and the Navy mentor.

11. In the first paragraph of the contract, it states that the covered position will endure up to two years. Later in the contract, it is stated that every nine months of funding will translate to a calendar year of post-graduate work. Which statement is correct?

ANSWER: In fact, they are both equivalent. The service payback is one-to-one. NNCS only supports a student for up to two years therefore the most payback would be two years. Most academic calendars are for nine months with the summers being optional. So whether on a nine or twelve month academic calendar the payback will be one year.

12. In the third section, there are several clauses that are seemingly out of my conceivable control (i.e. 3.a.4, 3.b.1, 3.b.4). Can you elaborate on whether I need to be concerned about them?

ANSWER: These sections refer to a student’s inability to complete requirements for the scholarship. Being able to obtain a Federal job is one of the main requirements. Being able to obtain a security clearance is a main requirement for most of the types of positions graduates of this scholarship program will be placed in. If a student knows of personal issues that will prevent them from qualifying for a Federal position or a security clearance, they should not accept this scholarship. If you think you may have a problem you should discuss it with you academic advisor and your Navy mentor for clarification.