Network and Distributed System Security (NDSS) Fellowship > Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How many students will be awarded?
The final number of students who can be awarded and the level of support offered are determined by the amount of sponsorship money received, as well as the other available resources. This will be finalized at the time of the award announcements, once all applications have been evaluated.
Who is eligible to submit an application for the fellowship?
Any graduate or undergraduate student enrolled in a computer security-related program at a college or university anywhere in the world.
What is my “current transcript?”
Your “transcript” is an official copy of your institution’s record of your academic enrollment, courses, grades, and graduations. In the US, you may also see it referred to as your permanent record. In the EU, you may see the equivalent referred to as your Transcript of Records or ToR.
What does the student fellowship include?
The student fellowships include pre-conference workshops scheduled in early 2025 and travel support. Student travel support covers the NDSS Symposium registration fees for 2025. Some travel expenses may also be covered on a reimbursement basis. This will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
What does the student travel support NOT cover?
Any expenses that are above the total approved support amount or are for items not included in the list of covered expenses. A list of covered expenses (e.g. airfare and hotel) will be provided with the documentation accompanying the support award.
Will the NDSS Symposium refund the cost of my flight tickets if I registered to attend in-person but am subsequently unable to travel?
No. Please note that if you make any non-refundable purchases of e.g. flight tickets, we will NOT be able to reimburse you. Therefore, we recommend you do not buy non-refundable plane tickets unless you are sure you will be able to attend, or you have purchased travel insurance that covers trip cancellations.
How will the student fellowship awards be determined?
Considerations for recipients of student support funds will include:
• Evidence of serious interest and aptitude in the security field, as demonstrated by coursework and/or projects and research experience.
• Evidence of community leadership interests and skills, as demonstrated by engagement with the broader community.
• Evidence of mentoring and teaching beyond standard academic responsibilities and roles, especially helping peers or supporting fellow students of any grade to learn about security topics.
• Evidence of collaboration and teamwork activities, especially as applied to problems in the security field.
• Identified benefits from attendance and participation, particularly how participating in the symposium could shape the student’s future studies and/or research.
• Demonstrated potential as an emerging security researcher who could contribute to the published content at future NDSS symposia.
• Proof of enrollment in a security-related program at a college/university.
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