Information for Applicants
Applications are accepted from current students, recent graduates, and U.S. college/university faculty year round. Upon being selected for an appointment, participants are matched with a mentor who provides a hands-on research experience at one of DoD’s sponsoring agencies. There are over 40 host facilities in the ORISE Research Participation Programs throughout the Army, Air Force, Navy, and the DoD.The ORISE Research Participation Programs at DoD are educational and training programs designed to provide college students, recent graduates, and university faculty opportunities to participate in project-specific DoD research and developmental activities. Review the applicant information and program details below for more information and contact ORISE with any additional questions.
Additional Information
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Eligibility
The ORISE Research Participation Programs at DoD are educational and training programs designed to provide college students, recent graduates, and university faculty opportunities to participate in project-specific DoD research and developmental activities.
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Because of the educational nature of these programs, participants must fall into one of the following categories:
- Students must be enrolled in an accredited U.S. college or university pursuing a degree in science, technology, engineering or math (STEM), and must maintain satisfactory progress in academic coursework.
- Postgraduates and Postdoctorates must have received their degree in an appropriate STEM discipline within 5 years of the appointment start date, or must complete all requirements for such a degree prior to the desired start date.
- Faculty must be full-time faculty from an accredited U.S. college or university.
DOD sponsors typically only consider qualified U.S. citizens, due to the sensitive nature of the research performed and/or restricted facility access. DoD offices may appoint foreign citizens who are eligible to participate as J-1 Exchange Visitors on a case-by-case basis. Foreign citizens eligible for other visa categories approved by DoD and ORISE may be considered. Any such restrictions will be clearly stated in the project description of the opportunity posting.
Applications will be considered without regard to race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, mental or physical disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, or covered veteran’s status.
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Prior to Starting the Appointment
Although the mentor may have selected the candidate for a project, there are additional steps to follow before the candidate can be cleared to begin the appointment.
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Prior to the mentor selecting the candidate, the candidate must complete an application in Zintellect which includes the following items:
- Application
- Current resume
- Official transcript showing most recent degree
- At least one reference from a person familiar with the candidate’s educational qualifications (a reference from a current or past faculty member is preferred)
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Guidelines for Non-U.S. Citizens
In this section you will find information which is intended to be used as a guide. If selected to participate, ORISE Immigration Services is required to verify your immigration status eligibility.
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DOD sponsors typically only consider qualified U.S. citizens, due to the sensitive nature of the research performed and/or restricted facility access. DoD offices may appoint foreign citizens who are eligible to participate as J-1 Exchange Visitors on a case-by-case basis. Foreign citizens eligible for other visa categories approved by DoD and ORISE may be considered. Any such restrictions will be clearly stated in the project description of the opportunity posting.
For more information please visit the ORISE Immigration website.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions most commonly asked by applicants.
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Participants receive a monthly stipend to help defray living and other expenses during the appointment. Stipend rates are determined by DoD, and are based on the participant’s educational level. Some mentors may also award relocation, a travel allowance, and/or a health insurance stipend.
ORISE does not require military enrollment or prior military service to participate at a DoD sponsor.
Every participant is required to have health insurance on the first day of the appointment and throughout the duration of the program. Participants may not be present at DoD facilities if their insurance coverage lapses.
Individual, individual plus one, or family insurance coverage may be purchased through ORISE, or participants may obtain another insurance plan from the company of their choice.
Non-U.S. citizens with appropriate immigration statuses are eligible for some DoD appointments; many DoD research projects require U.S. citizenship for security reasons. For more information on eligible immigration statuses, please see Guidelines for Non-U.S. Citizens.
If you anticipate receiving your degree shortly, then you may apply. If you are selected, you will be required to show proof of degree completion before beginning the appointment.
Initial appointments are usually made for a maximum of one year. They may be extended up to a maximum total of five years, based upon program needs, funding availability, and participant eligibility. Shorter appointments are also available, based upon program needs and candidate availability. Many project descriptions state the expected duration of the appointment.
Two references are required. Use your discretion as to whether additional references will strengthen your application by highlighting aspects of your background that were not addressed elsewhere. Selection officials will not be able to see your application until at least one reference has been submitted.
You should obtain recommendations from people familiar with your educational and professional qualifications. At least one recommender should be a professor or other individual who can comment on your educational experience.
Participants are selected by the DoD mentor at DoD from the pool of fully submitted and qualified applications to the posting in Zintellect. ORISE staff will prescreen applications to ensure that all required materials have been received and that the participant has attained the required educational level, but are not otherwise involved in the selection process. The mentor will review applications and will then notify ORISE once they have selected a candidate in order to begin the appointment letter process described in Prior to Starting the Appointment.
If you have applied for a specific project, the DoD mentor for that project will determine how long applications will be accepted, and how long the review and selection process will take. Once the mentor has selected a candidate, there are several steps that must be completed before the candidate can receive an appointment letter with offer (which will come from ORISE via the Zintellect system). If selected, the process between receiving your official appointment letter with offer and your actual start date may vary depending on several factors including background checks and the security process.
If you see the opportunity on Zintellect then it is still actively accepting applications. If no deadline is listed then applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Applicants can always contact us with any questions regarding the status of your application and/or the opportunity.
Please ensure that all of the necessary application materials have been received and that you have obtained the necessary educational qualifications. At least one reference needs to be submitted in order for the mentor to view your application. Please review the current opportunities that are available.
All opportunities for ORISE Research Participation Programs at DoD are listed in Zintellect. Check back often for additional postings.
All ORISE appointment selections must be submitted by the DoD mentor. ORISE will send an appointment letter once this submission is received and the funding for the appointment is in place.
We do not advise you to do this. Only ORISE is authorized to offer you an appointment.
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Diversity Inclusion/Culture
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ORISE administers STEM internship and fellowship programs on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy and other federal agencies. The diversity of these programs enables individuals—whether undergraduate, graduate, postdoctoral, or faculty—to conduct collaborative research at national laboratories or one of more than a dozen federal agency partners nationwide. Interested applicants can review and apply to hundreds of postings for paid internships and fellowships that best meet their individual career interests and educational advancement needs on Zintellect. Recruiting/Outreach events, including a focus on enhancing connections and recruitment for underrepresented groups, are offered regularly by ORISE to provide candidates the opportunity to speak with program staff, mentors, and current/alumni participants to learn more.
ORISE champions diversity, promotes creativity, rewards excellence, and encourages respect and an acceptance of differences. To support this commitment, ORISE operates a strong diversity program that includes training, educational programs, and awareness events for its employees and the community and is dedicated to recruiting and preparing the next generation of our nation’s scientific workforce.
Connect with ORISE… on the GO!
The ORISE GO mobile app helps you stay engaged, connected and informed during your ORISE experience – from application, to offer, through your appointment and even as an ORISE alum!
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