The fellowship program requires a program of study (POS) that will provide a solid background in one of the three major topics listed under Program Objectives. The Program of Study (POS) must demonstrate both breadth and depth. Depth is demonstrated by a POS that prepares the fellow for significant research in one of the areas listed in the Program Objectives. This may require taking courses from multiple departments, depending on the university and the research selected. Breadth is important to prepare for different requirements in an era of changing research objectives. It may be accomplished by taking courses in the physical, engineering, math and computer sciences, for example. The submitted program of study must be approved and signed by the graduate advisor from your preferred institution. Undergraduate and graduate applicants who are specifying more than one University should assemble a POS based on the courses offered at the university of their first choice. If it is impossible to obtain a signature from a graduate advisor at the preferred university, then your current advisor should review and sign the proposed POS. In all cases, the advisor should review this outline of the POS requirements. If it is unclear whether a particular course fits these guidelines, you should obtain more information about the class from the preferred university. Timely completion of the POS is an explicit commitment accepted by students and their advisors. Once accepted into the program, changes in the POS may be made only with the advance consent of the program's steering committee.

Support of this fellowship is limited to four years and must be renewed each year. Duration of the award is affected by the status of the awardee and projected availability of funds. Renewal of the fellowship each year is based on the submission of an online renewal application that demonstrates acceptable academic performance, progress toward completing the approved POS, and research consistent with program goals.

The practicum will be undertaken at a NNSA research laboratory for at least one three-month period. The practicum is intended to broaden the fellows experience outside the main thesis path and to make them better aware of the areas that encompass stewardship science. The practicum is normally undertaken during the summer and must be completed before the end of the second year of the fellowship. An additional allowance is provided to cover extra expenses during this time.

Fellows are expected to attend an annual fellowship meeting. The expenses of attending this meeting are reimbursed separately by the program.

During the fellowship period, fellows are expected to be enrolled as full-time graduate students at a U.S. college or university and conducting study and research within the objectives of the fellowship program. The summer should be spent conducting full-time research related to the completion of their degrees, being enrolled in classes, or being on practicum assignments.