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To ensure the robust supply of scientists and engineers to meet the DoD’s future science and technology needs, the ORISE program places individuals from the academic community (students, recent graduates, and faculty) in DoD research projects. Whether you are interested in applying to the program, are a current participant, or are a DoD employee sponsoring or mentoring participants, our site has valuable information for you. We invite you to learn more about our programs by selecting the category that best describes you.

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The program is administered by Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) through the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) under an agreement between the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). ORISE focuses on scientific initiatives including educating the next generation of scientists.

About ORISE

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  • The ORISE program has allowed me an opportunity to experience different facets of research, grow both personally and professionally, and learn new skills that I otherwise would not have learned had I not had this fellowship. It was the ideal stepping stone between my undergraduate studies and, in my case, medical school, and I am so grateful to have been able to participate in this one-of-a-kind opportunity.

    —Michelle Saillant
  • My favorite part of this time at USARIEM was absolutely the opportunity to learn in such a warm and welcoming environment. You are encouraged, applauded, cared for, mentored and provided with the tools to succeed. I cannot think of a better opportunity to research and grow alike.

    —Seth Rinehart
  • My first summer internship with ORISE changed the trajectory of my career. I think this program is great for students exploring different pathways in STEM-related careers.

    —Natalie Koons
  • I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the research at USARIEM. Each of the individuals I met made me feel welcome, encouraged me to ask questions, and talked to me about their research or other ways to conduct research that I had not been exposed to before.

    —Kristin Johnson
  • I love our mission at the institute, but the mentoring, by far, is the most rewarding part of my job. To watch a student come in and progress through their time there, and get ready for the next step of their career, there's nothing more exciting to watch and see.

    —Dr. Heidi Hoard-Fruchey, Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense
  • My favorite part of being a mentor was watching one of my fellows become a mentor. Witnessing the participants mature and become their own person, not just scientifically, but also as productive members of society that want to make this world a better place, was extremely gratifying.

    —Capt. Kevin Hauns, Ph.D., Walter Reed Army Institute of Research
  • This experience has been eye-opening, seeing everything that goes into designing a system from start to finish, whether it’s for an environment of motion or for virtual simulations. I would definitely recommend this program to others.

    —Brendan Gallagher
  • NAMRU-Dayton’s involvement in the ORISE program has benefitted our laboratory tremendously, and I’ve seen it benefit the participants greatly as well.  Many of NAMRU-Dayton’s ORISE participants have parlayed their experience here into acceptance to M.S., Ph.D., and M.D. programs.  Others have remained at the lab, and now serve as principal investigators or in other permanent scientific positions. In my experience ORISE has been a great program for everyone involved.

    —Richard D. Arnold Ph.D., Director of Aeromedical Research, Naval Medical Research Unit Dayton